See Nick Heidfeld's Factory Restored Porsche 959

Formula 1 and Formula E veteran Nick Heidfeld recently sent his Porsche 959 to the factory for a complete restoration, and the results were stunning.

The German racer, who has competed in 183 Grand Prix races, owns a rarer sports version of the 959. Only 29 were built, and this model had more power and less comfort equipment than other 959 models.

A larger turbocharger for the 2.8-liter flat-six increased output from 443 hp to 508 hp, and to save weight, the self-leveling suspension, automatic air conditioning, central locking, power windows, right-side exterior mirror, and rear seat were deleted. When new in 1987, the 959 Sport had a factory nominal 0-62 mph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 210 mph. This made the all-wheel-drive 959 temporarily the fastest production car in the world.

Heidfeld's car did not put much mileage on it over the next few years, and had only 2,599 miles on it when it arrived at Porsche Classic in the summer of 2017. However, it still needed a thorough overhaul that would take years. The overhaul was not completed until December 2021.

The car had been sitting for so long that the powertrain needed a complete overhaul. The restorers also noticed that the engine management system had been altered and returned to original specifications. With the restoration complete, the factory recommends that the car be driven approximately 62 miles per month

to avoid rot due to sitting.

"I was a teenage car fan in the late 1980s," Heidfeld said in a statement. This is not the only Porsche in his collection. Heidfeld also owns a Carrera GT and a 996-generation 911 GT2, as well as a 1965 Ford Mustang and a classic Volkswagen Beetle convertible.