Pair of Rare Porsches Join Quail Auction Lineup

Porsche lovers take note: BonhamsCars is bringing two blue-chip purpose-built Porsches to auction at its annual Quail Lodge sale next month.

First up is a 1971 Porsche 911 S/T — one of 62. Also joining the lineup is an exceptionally rare ‘Series II’ 1993 Porsche 959 Komfort — one of only six built.

The S/T is estimated to be worth from $900k to $1.2m, while the 959 carries an estimate range of $2.5m to $2m.

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 known, some say 62 cars were 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 seven 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. The car is in as-delivered specs with its original numbers-matching engine. 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

The 959 Komfort on offer is chassis 291 — the fourth from the last 959 produced. This was Porsche’s most advanced design of its era, considered by many to be the first Porsche supercar.

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

Chassis 291 shows 71,941 kms, a good number of which being added by former owner Anthony Maclean, who used the car to travel between the UK, Geneva and the South of France. It was sold to a UK-based collector in 2005 and has been maintained by Porsche GB since. Porsche GB selected this car to represent the model at the 2008 and 2009 Goodwood Revival Earls Court Motor Show displays, and during the official launch of the 997 Turbo.

The Quail Lodge auction takes place on August 16, 2024 at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel, CA.

Learn more here.