The story of the 959 in the United States is as well-known as it is fraught with disappointment. In the lead up to Porsche's groundbreaking supercar, those customers in their biggest market were left wanting more. Those in the United States could not purchase a 1973 911 Carrera RS and were only offered a detuned 911 Carrera and 911 Turbo during the 1970s. With the announcement of the Gruppe B Studie, those U.S. Porsche fans surely felt hope, yet by the time the concept was developed and productionized, John Cook, then President of PCNA, had some bad news. In a letter dated 26 March 1986 addressed to those who expressed an interest in the 959 – still under development – he stated that “further attempts to bring the car into conformance with U.S. EPA and DOT standards would destroy the car” adding that even if they made the attempt, it would “perhaps double the original estimated cost of the car.” With that, the Stateside death of the 959 was complete...or was it?

Cook dropped a hint regarding rising costs in the letter. What Porsche did not publicize was that as production neared, Porsche's cost to produce the car had already doubled. The 959, while a beacon of advanced technology, was also a hugely expensive loss leader. What better way to recoup those costs than by using the EPA and DOT as partial scape goats, cancel those U.S. contracts, and offer that large group of newly available 959s elsewhere at an elevated price. Naturally, this did not sit well with those in the know and those at Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) hatched a plan. They would commit to purchasing a number of 959s in light motorsport trim, imported along with 944 Turbo Cups under the guise of motorsport.

Instead of “destroying” the 959, the 959 S quickly became one of the rarest and most sought-after variants of an already highly-desirable super car. In order to extoll its Porsche Motorsport credentials, the new 959 S was fitted with engine modifications, a roll cage, cloth tri-color Recaro sport seats, four-point Autoflug racing harnesses, and coil-over suspension. Heavy, non-essential luxury items were omitted including radio and speakers and adjustable height suspension reducing weight by 100 kilograms. Power was increased as well. Thanks to modified turbochargers, increased boost pressure and adjusted ignition and fuel injection, the engine delivers an additional 65 horsepower. To no one's surprise the new 959 Sport was a performer and according to many the 959 should have originally been built to compete with the Ferrari F40. An Auto Motor und Sport test registered the 959 S at a scarcely believable 210.6 miles per hour. Period photos from those involved when the first batch of cars was delivered to PMNA headquarters in Warrington, Pennsylvania depict a scene only seen at Stuttgart with truckloads of the new 959 S lined up neatly behind secure fencing. Unfortunately, this would be a short-lived victory as U.S. authorities called PMNA's 959 S motorsport program for what it was, a thinly veiled attempt to deliver a 959 to those in the United States who had waited at length to receive one. All 959 S would have to return to Stuttgart.

Naturally all 29 “C02” U.S.-market 959 Sports quickly found homes as the quickest, most desirable 959 ever created. For those in the United States the 959 (with the exception of rare cases) would remain forbidden fruit, firmly within the scope of the infamous “25 Year Rule.” After it arrived in the United States, chassis number 014 would remain as close to originally delivered condition for its first 25 years. Sold to only the second owner by Canepa to a “best-of-the-best” collection in 2012, this 959 S features just 516 original miles and remains in a highly unaltered state apart from a reawakening service performed while with Canepa in Scotts Valley. Now recently offered by Broad Arrow Private Sales, the 959 S represents a high point of the very best of 1980s Porsche. While widely known as THE poster child for hand-built small production supercars for those with patience and a keen eye this 959 Sport, finished in classic Guards Red, offers the ultimate in originality, collectability, and a fantastic story as well.