If you think Porsche's 918 Spyder is off the charts, well, think again. The company has been pushing boundaries since its very beginnings. When you look through the company's history with vehicles like the 356, 550 Spyder and 917 you know this is an automaker comfortable pushing the envelope.
And, boy, did they get the formula right when it came out with the 959, which was considered the equivalent of the Concord. As the company prepares to celebrate the 959's 30th anniversary, we wanted to take one second to reflect: is IT the BEST analog supercar, OR can YOU think of one better?
To clarify, analog supercars are those featuring old-school technology. Rather than a dual-clutch gearbox it features three pedals, and many of those whiz-bang safety systems and traction management systems may or may not be missing altogether. These were vehicles that we now look back on and realize even now that they're staggering. Not only are they as fast as many of today's creations, they're the epitome of driving pleasure.
Some examples to consider:
- Jaguar XJ220
- Ferrari F40
- McLaren F1
- Lamborghini Diablo
What say you, Spies?
Oh, and Happy Birthday to the 959! Now legal in the U.S.!
Porsche's press release follows:
Porsche Classic programme for the classic car race at the Nürburgring
Porsche celebrates 30 years of the 959 at the Oldtimer Grand Prix 2015
Stuttgart. With an exhibition of numerous super sports and race cars, Porsche will be celebrating the 30th birthday of the 959 at the 43rd AvD-Oldtimer Grand Prix (OGP) on the Nürburgring from 7 to 9 August 2015. Among other vehicles, Porsche will be bringing the legendary winning vehicle of the Paris-Dakar rally to the Eifel, flanked by its successors, the Carrera GT and 918 Spyder. Rounding off the appearance will be a 919 Hybrid, which recently secured the 17th overall victory for Porsche at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Another highlight awaits visitors from 2.00 pm on Saturday 8 August in the Porsche Classic exhibition tent: motor racing legend Jacky Ickx is coming to give an interview followed by an autograph session.
An expert team from Porsche Classic will be offering owners of historic Porsche models assistance on issues of repair and selecting suitable parts. Porsche Classic currently has more than 52,000 original parts and accessories, such as the new Porsche Classic radio navigation system. Specially developed for Porsche, it combines state-of-the-art technology with classic design and fits into all classic models with a 1-DIN slot. Also on display at the Porsche site covering more than 14,000 square metres will be the drivetrain of a recently rediscovered 901 from 1964 and vehicles from the Porsche Museum. Added to this will be exhibits from Porsche Exclusive and Tequipment as well as the event truck from the Porsche Driver’s Selection featuring the current collection.
30 years of the Porsche 959 super sports car
The 959 embarked on its triumphant procession at rallies and race circuits 30 years ago. The super sports car made its debut as a technology platform and the fastest production car in the world, which was limited to 292 vehicles. Thanks to the innovative sequential turbocharging and intercooling, an in-house development by Porsche, the 2.85-litre six-cylinder boxer engine produced 450 hp. Power transmission was the responsibility of a six-speed gearbox and an electronically controlled trans-axle all-wheel drive, which was tested in the victorious Porsche 953 at the Paris-Dakar rally in 1984. In addition to the rally version of the 959, which won the 1986 Paris-Dakar, Porsche Classic will also be exhibiting one of the street-legal limited production series models. Together with the Carrera GT and the 918 Spyder, the 959 documents how Porsche as maintained the idea of the super sports car as a technology platform up to the present day.
Porsche Classic is a division of the Zuffenhausen-based sports car manufacturer responsible for the maintenance of vehicles which were generally produced more than ten years ago. Its services cover all aspects of care and technical literature as well as the supply and reproduction of original parts and even extend to complete restoration. The company is currently expanding its international dealer and service network to around 100 Porsche Classic Partners for the support and overhaul of classic cars. Porsche customers and potential customers can expect the complete range of Porsche Classic services from the Partners’ centres. Through this measure, Porsche has integrated the care and value retention of modern classic and vintage cars into a comprehensive service concept, closely linking Porsche tradition and Porsche innovation. Further information and the parts range are available at www.porsche.de/classic.
Porsche 918 Spyder combined fuel consumption 3.1 – 3.0 l/100 km; combined electrical energy consumption 12.7 kWh/100 km;
CO2 emissions 72 – 70 g/km; Efficiency class: A+