The Porsche 959 is one of the most significant models for the German sports car maker. But this particular example builds upon that legacy with a fascinating story. Carefully reimagined, this 1987 Porsche 959 ‘Speedster’ was born from the vision of master craftsman Karl-Heinz Feustel and is now headed for auction at RM Sotheby’s Milan sale in May.
Originally, a ‘Komfort’ model was finished in silver metallic, CHASSIS NO.WP0ZZZ95ZHS900142 rolled off the production line in Stuttgart, back in November 1987, and was reportedly delivered to racing driver Jürgen Lässig, who has victories at the 24 Hours of Daytona and a podium finish at Le Mans to his name. After an accident on the autobahn in 1988, the original car was left damaged, but thankfully, this wasn’t the end for this 959. It was then acquired by Feustel, who decided to turn tragedy into opportunity by transforming this 959 into something truly bespoke.
After 4,000 painstaking hours at a small workshop near Cologne in Germany, the transformation was complete, and the Porsche 959 ‘Speedster’ was born. First shown at the 1989 Frankfurt International Motor Show and then at the Essen Motor Show, the 959 Speedster now featured a Grand Prix White exterior, set against a vibrant blue leather interior, complete with an electronically operated blue soft top, and a hardtop for more inclement weather. Additionally, the car also came with a tonneau cover, spare door mirrors, owners’ guides, and a spare ‘speedster’ windscreen. Feustel wanted $1.2 million for this unique build, and it was acquired by a German collector in 1990.
But here’s why a ‘959 Speedster’ is so special. Porsche itself never made one, making Fuestel’s creation an outlier. The 959 and Speedster both carry a lot of weight in the Porsche world, and their coming together is a big deal. Developed for the sun-kissed skies of California, Speedsters are lightweight, low-slung sports cars and command a premium over standard Porsche convertibles. These models embody the spirit of purist open-top driving and can trace their roots to the 356 and subsequently the 911 Speedster with their distinctive double-bubble humps.
As for the 959, it was born as a homologation special developed in the early 1980s to compete in Group B rallying. A groundbreaking car that was well ahead of its time, it introduced technologies never seen in a production car before: think all-wheel drive, active suspension, and an electronically managed chassis system. 1986 was a monumental year for the Porsche 959, as it not only won the gruelling Paris-Dakar rally but, on the pavement, it also became the fastest street-legal car in the world, with a top speed of 197 mph. The 959 laid the foundation for the German brand’s tradition of halo cars and future flagships like the Carrera GT and 918 Spyder.
Porsche only built 292 examples of the 959, cementing its exclusivity and desirability. Well-maintained cars routinely command prices in the seven figures on the collector car market. The Porsche 959 Speedster, seen here, has been in private ownership since 2008 and was recently serviced by ADR Motorsport in March 2025. While every Porsche 959 is a collectible, this one-off creation takes it a step further. Expected to fetch €1,100,000 – €1,500,000 EUR ($1.2-1.7 million), the 959 Speedster is a true unicorn, bringing two distinctive elements from the Porsche world together.
Image Source: RM Sotheby’s
