Everybody wants to save the earth, nobody wants to help mom do the dishes.  --P.J. O'Rourke

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Porsche 959 - Change the Rules !

Designed to compete in the infamous Group B rally class, the Porsche 959 redefined the rules for Supercars.  Computer control of the advanced 4wd system and adjustable suspension along with an Aluminum/Kevlar and Nomex body and a sequentially turbocharged 2.8 litre boxer engine allowed the 959 to sprint to 60 in a 3.5 seconds and continue to a top speed of 195mph.  The 959's Ferrari contemporary the f40 boasted similar performance to the 959, what was remarkable about the 959 was that it was it's level of civility.  The 959 was the first modern high performance supercar that didn't drive like slightly disguised race car.  It was not cramped, hot, temperamental or treacherous in bad weather.  It was for all intents and purposes a semi practical super car. 300 some odd 959's were produced, none were imported into the U.S by Porsche.  So desirable was the 959, that Bill Gates imported a 959 in 1987 only to have it held by Seattle customs for 13 years until he and others got a loophole put into law allowing "Show and Display" import exceptions. 


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