Lee Sibley By Lee Sibley 3 years ago

Is this 959 testing Porsche Performance Parts at the ‘Ring?

A Porsche 959 was spotted lapping the 'Ring at an industry day last week, but what was it doing there?

9WERKS spotted this Porsche 959 test mule on track at the Nürburgring Nordschleife last week, which raised a few eyebrows among spectators as to why.

Some 35 years after it was first released, and with only 337 examples on planet earth (including prototypes), it was not a sight many onlookers expected to see on a sunny October afternoon. In fact, a Porsche 959 lapping the ‘Ring isn’t something you’re likely to see in your lifetime at all. So why was it there?

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    The white 959, which is unregistered (hence the red licence plates), completed two flying laps during an ‘Industrie Pool’, or I-Pool day, where an association of major car, parts and tyre manufacturers block-book the Nordschleife out for testing. 

    Prior to its flying laps, 9WERKS spies spotted the 959 at the nearby premises of Manthey earlier this week, the famous racing outfit who are known to be helping Porsche Classic develop a range of official upgrades for older Porsches. You can see where this is going.

      As reported by 9WERKS earlier this year, Porsche Classic has announced it is releasing a new line of Performance Parts for models which are applicable for classic status (currently this is 911s up to and including 996, all transaxle models, plus the 986 Boxster and 955/957 Cayenne).

      A Porsche spokesperson at the time said these Performance Parts “feature newly-developed components with historical references, and is geared towards improving everyday use while also appealing directly to enthusiasts with a keen interest in motorsports and amateur racing.” A new performance chassis for the 959 is among the parts being developed, 9WERKS was told.

        This seems to go some way to explaining why a 959 mule was seen lapping the ‘Ring last week, as Porsche and Manthey look to update chassis technology on a seven-figure car that was groundbreaking at the time, but is now three and a half decades old. Either way, it made for an evocative sight as the legendary Uber 911 celebrates 35 years since its production debut.

        *Thanks to Andreas Mau/CarPix AB for the photographs

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