370Z Coupe

Make
Nissan
Segment
Coupe

The radical design of the Porsche 959 makes it one of the most distinctive cars ever built by the prestigious German manufacturer, which is now often criticzed for its lazy rehashes of the 911. When the 959 launched back in 1986, there was nothing else quite like it. With adjustable suspension, four-wheel-drive, tire pressure sensors and an air-cooled, 450 horsepower flat-six enabling it to hit a top speed of 195 mph, it was way ahead of its time.

At the time, it was the fastest production car in the world – until the F40 showed up a year later. To compete with Ferrari, Porsche introduced a Sport version, which was lighter thanks to its coil-over suspension, cloth upholstery and a lack of air-conditioning, to name a few adjustments. With these modifications came a higher top speed of 198 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds. Only 29 modified Sports were built which makes them very hard to come by – one of which is now going to auction at RM Sothebys in Paris. This 1988 example represents the 11th Sport built, with performance tuned to 515 horsepower and only 11,536 miles on the clock.

At the time, it was purchased by California Porsche dealer and racer Vasek Polak's son, Vasek Polak Jr. Because of import laws and emissions standards, it wasn't possible to buy one new in the US, so he had to pick it up personally from Stuttgart, drive it through Europe and bring it back to America. With no reserve, RM Sothebys is expecting the final selling price of the 959 to fetch between $1.6 and $2.1 million. It's undeniably extortionate, but it's not often you get the chance to buy a car that was a genuine game changer.