Porsche 959 – Jacky Ickx & Claude brasseur – Rallye Paris – Dakar 1986. Limited Edition

The Porsche 959 – Paris – Dakar 1986

was originally meant for Group B racing but development time took longer than expected. The first development race cars, essentially modified 911 Carrera models with all-wheel-drive system known internally as the 953, were entered in the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally, finishing 1st (René Metge), 6th (Jacky Ickx) and 25th.

These cars tested the all-wheel-drive system to be used in the 959. Unlike the World Rally Championship the Dakar didn’t require a minimum number of cars built for homologation.

In 1985, three cars were entered in the Dakar rally with the proposed 959 body and the rest of the systems but they still used the engine of the 953 rally cars. These cars didn’t finish (only one due to mechanical failure however).

Afterwards Porsche fitted the cars with twin-turbochargers. Two cars started at the Rallye des Pharaons in October 1985. One of them caught fire, while Saeed Al-Hajri and John Spiller achieved a commanding victory with their 959.

At the 1986 Paris-Dakar Rally the 959 finished 1st (René Metge), 2nd (Jacky Ickx) and 6th.

By the time the 959 was ready for production and homologation in 1987, the Group B programme was cancelled altogether a year prior thus ending Porsche’s participation in Group B.

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History : See wikipedia article