Bonhams/Cars offering up two ultra-rare Porches at their August 16th Quail Auction

Carmel, CA – Two examples of some of Porsche’s finest purpose-built creations will be offered at the annual Bonhams|Cars Quail Auction on August 16. One of approximately 62 produced, a 1971 Porsche 911 S/T will be offered. Also joining the lineup is an exceptionally rare ‘Series II’ 1993 Porsche 959 Komfort, one of only six built.

Setting the stage for the iconic ‘73 RS 2.7, the 1970-1972 911 S/T, was a loosely applied moniker suggesting the 911 S drivetrain mated with the lighter, base-model 911 T body. While exact production figures are not entirely known, some experts believe the number is around 62 cars built for works and privateer teams to varying specifications, far fewer than the RS that succeeded it.

Chassis number 911.130.1251 is one of those approximately 62 S/T models and is said to be one of about 7 cars built in 1971. This car comes with highly desirable track focused specifications, including the M471 lightweight body option, factory lightweight glass, 100L fuel tank, and roll bar and presents today in its as-delivered specs with its original numbers-matching engine. Thoroughly enjoyed in period, highlights of its racing exploits include:

• 1971 Flugplatzrennen Kaufbeuren, Allgau – 1st in GT, +2000cc
• 1971 ADAC Bavaria-Rennen, Saltzburgring – 1st in Class, Group 4
• 1971 Sudwest Pokal-Int. ADACV Solitude Rennen – 4th Overall
• 1971 ADAC Hessenpreiss Flugplatz Kassel – 3rd in Class
• 1972 Int. DMV Rhein-pokal Jochen Rindt, Hockenheim – 1st Overall

Another example of Porsche’s purpose-built creations, the Type 959 was the company’s first true supercar. The world’s fastest and quickest road car in its day, it realized a mind-boggling array of advanced features that other automakers were only beginning to dream about.

By all official accounts 959 production ended in 1988, with the final model bearing serial number 288. However, in the early 1990s, a mysterious collector convinced Porsche to complete six (some sources say eight) more 959s. These so-called “Series II” were built at more than double the price of the original run and go up to serial number 294.

1993 Porsche 959 Komfort ‘Series II’ is chassis 291, marking it the fourth from last 959 built. Properly enjoyed, Chassis 291 shows 71,941km on the odometer. A respectable amount of which were added by one of its former caretakers, the Anglo-Swiss collector Anthony Maclean, who regularly drove it between his homes in the UK, Geneva, and the South of France. Mr. Maclean went on to entrust Simon Kidston, then of Bonhams & Brooks, to sell Chassis 291 at the Bonhams Les Grande Marques à Monaco Sale in 2001.

In 2005, and showing 45,000 km at the time, a UK-based collector acquired it. During his tenure, the car was maintained without regard to cost by Porsche GB, and the service book shows stamps from 1993, 1995, 1999, 2001, and 2004. Considering the car’s exceptional condition, Porsche GB selected it to represent the model at the 2008 and 2009 Goodwood Revival Earls Court Motor Show displays, as well as part of the official launch of the 997 Turbo.

While over 20 years separate this 911 S/T and 959, both present an opportunity for enthusiastic collectors who are intent on fully experiencing the thrill a classic Porsche has to offer—those of which can only be felt sat squarely behind the wheel as you steadily approach redline.

The Quail Auction
Quail Lodge & Golf Club, Carmel, CA
August 16, 2024

About Bonhams|Cars

Bonhams|Cars uniquely offers a choice of live, online and private platforms for buying and selling collector cars—platforms characterised by levels of trust, reliability, and transparency born of over three decades of experience as the premier automotive auction house. Through prestigious live auctions around the world, 24/7 online auctions, and our recently introduced Private Sales service, Bonhams|Cars makes it simple for buyers and sellers to find the platform that best meets their needs.

Bonhams|Cars host 17 live auctions annually, participates in all the significant concours around the world, and presents unique selling opportunities at international events such as the 2023 Formula 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as the official auction partner of the Formula 1 Paddock Club™, Goodwood Motorsport Events in the UK, The Quail on the Monterey Peninsula in California, The Audrain Concours in Newport, Rhode Island and The Zoute Grand Prix in Belgium. At Bonhams|Cars Online, formerly The Market by Bonhams, we provide our clients with fast, expert, accurate and agile single-car auctions, 24/7. With dedicated motoring departments in London, Paris, Los Angeles, New York, Brussels and beyond, Bonhams|Cars has a world-class team with expertise in all divisions, from vintage cars to racing motorsport and automobilia to motorcycles.

For more information, please visit BonhamsCars.com

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