Waste not, want not

The collision with an Audi saloon in 1990 apparently resulted in significant damage to the side and the roof of this 959 but, thankfully, the car was not written off. The sports car distributor Auto Becker in Germany purchased the would-be wreck, and set about building the world’s first – and only – drop-top example of Porsche’s ultra-complex Group B supercar. Using the folding canvas roof mechanism from a standard 911 cabriolet, the car was given a new lease of life, and subsequently sold to an American enthusiast for a staggering 3m Deutsch Marks after its reveal at the Frankfurt motor show.

It’s currently for sale in Italy at Classic Driver dealer ADR Motorsport, complete with its accompanying hardtop in a bizarre coffin-like box and an interchangeable Speedster windscreen – ideal for Ocean Drive, but perhaps less so for the motorways. That said, thanks to the use of advanced lightweight materials in the rebuild, the car will allegedly still hit 62mph in 3.9sec and power onto a top speed of 197mph.  

Photos: ADR Motorsport