Porsche
959 Paris–Dakar works cars

Why it matters

The 959 Paris-Dakar works cars were the rally development versions of the 959. After the 953 won in 1984, Porsche entered three purpose-built 959s in 1985 and again in 1986, when the turbocharged cars finished first, second and sixth. They served as a proving ground for the all-wheel-drive and electronic systems of the road 959.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

In 1985 three 959s with new chassis and coachwork entered the rally powered by 911 Carrera engines, because the 400 PS biturbo engines were not ready; all three retired. In 1986 the biturbo cars returned and René Metge and Dominique Lemoyne won, with Jacky Ickx and Claude Brasseur second and the service car sixth. Porsche then left the Paris-Dakar. RM Sotheby's counts seven development cars, three each for 1985 and 1986 plus a Le Mans prototype, the Type 961.

The Porsche Museum preserves the complete 1986 trio; the second-placed car was recommissioned in 2023 with about 18,000 km on the clock.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The 1986 rally cars have an air/water-cooled flat-six with compound turbocharging, output reduced to 294 kW (400 PS) because of poor fuel, Kevlar body, doors and bonnets, double shock absorbers on the front axle, all-terrain tyres, perforated brake discs and engine control units mounted high to cross rivers. The cataloged 1985 car, chassis WP0ZZZ93ZFS010015, was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.2 litre engine and carries a correct Type 953/85 Paris-Dakar engine.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   RM Sotheby's Porsche 70th Anniversary Sale 2018 – 1985 Porsche 959 'Paris-Dakar' Level B

   • 7 Development 959 rally cars produced: three for 1985, three for 1986, plus one Le Mans prototype (Type 961)

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Porsche preserves the history of the 959 Paris-Dakar Level A Porsche Newsroom · 2023-02-01

   • air-/water-cooled flat-six engine with compound turbocharging
   • output of the six-cylinder engine was reduced to 294 kW (400 PS)
   • electro-hydraulically controlled centre differential distributed the power variably
   • a body, doors and bonnets made of Kevlar
   • comparatively low dry weight for the car of 1,260 kilograms
   • reach speeds of up to 210 km/h

   Accessed 2026-11-12