It is arduous to think about a contemporary supercar competing within the Paris-Dakar Rally, however that is precisely what the Porsche 959 did again within the Eighties. This video from Porsche’s “High 5” YouTube collection explains how the 959 morphed from supercar to rally automotive.
The all-wheel-drive 959 was designed with an eye fixed towards Group B rallying, however the class was eradicated earlier than the automotive was prepared. As a substitute, Porsche shifted focus to the grueling Dakar Rally.
After some success with all-wheel-drive variations of the 911 within the Dakar Rally, Porsche entered three prototype 959s within the 1985 operating. These vehicles had comparable bodywork to the street automotive (which did not begin manufacturing till 1986), and a simplified model of its all-wheel-drive system, however with 911-spec engines. All three failed to complete.
In 1986, Porsche returned to the Dakar with upgraded 959 rally vehicles. They sported a extra refined all-wheel-drive system with a number of modes, whereas a 2.8-liter twin-turbocharged flat-6 just like the 959 road-car engine changed the earlier naturally aspirated 3.2-liter flat-6.
1985 Paris-Dakar Porsche 959 to be bought at public sale
The Dakar-spec engine made about 400 horsepower, down from the street automotive’s 444 hp. This was performed to account for the unavailability of high-octane gas alongside the desert race course, in accordance with Porsche. The automaker additionally fitted bigger gas tanks, and strengthened suspension.
Porsche as soon as once more entered three vehicles for the 1986 Paris-Dakar Rally, which completed first, second and sixth. That was sufficient for the automaker which determined to then retire from desert rallying.
With its emphasis on electronics and light-weight supplies, the 959 street automotive helped set the template for the trendy supercar. In the meantime, the Paris-Dakar rally vehicles at the moment are seemingly too useful to ever see grime and sand once more. Even one of many unsuccessful 1985 vehicles sold for nearly $6 million at public sale in 2018.
If you wish to delve additional into Porsche historical past, try the automaker’s “High 5” movies for rally cars and secret prototypes.