As you may recall, a bunch of us caravanned from Hanzel’s in Oakland to the Santa Cruz Mountains for Canepa Motorsport’s Cars & Coffee. In addition to the car meet in the parking lot, the good people at Canepa opened up their incredible work shop and storage facility. We got to see NINE of the world’s 337 Porsche 959s there.
It.
Was.
Insane.
As you all know, and agree, the 1986-89 959 was the greatest Porsche ever. You may also remember, vaguely, that people were having a difficult time importing these to the United States.
This is where Bruce Canepa comes in. He modified the cars so that they could pass emissions testing. And while he was at it, he made the cars faster. The stock 444 horsepower mill was upped to 640 horsepower!
How? Specifically,
“[t]he phase II engine system includes eliminating the factory sequential turbo system and installation of an all new twin turbo system including new Garrett “Disco Potato” ball-bearing turbos, re-designed wastegates with TiAL diaphragms and titanium heat shields. Cam timing is optimized in addition to blueprinting all intake and exhaust valve springs. New intake runners are matched to K&N Air Filters. Upgraded fuel system, EGR, modern engine management system with ADL, F1 technology engine wiring harnesses, high output ignition system, upgraded alternator charge system and battery module, air pumps and air regulator valves, spark plugs, idle control valve, sensors, connectors, harness shielding, switches, adapters, hardware, etc. (369 new components in all.) A complete new stainless steel exhaust system with Porsche original equipment dual stainless catalytics are utilized. The exhaust is fitted with our new bypass system producing increased horsepower and a more aggressive engine note at the flick of a dash mounted switch. In addition the entire clutch system has been modified and upgraded to improve pedal feel and actuation. This includes an improved pressure plate, disc, and modified clutch pedal assembly.”
That was a mouthful.
This Washington-plated 959 may have been purchased with Microsoft money.
To see all of these 959s in various states of disassembly, without supervision or velvet ropes, was incredible. Mr. Canepa is a very generous and trusting man.
Oh, Canepa also upgrades the 959’s suspension with its own proprietary gas struts and titanium coil-over springs.
I can’t imagine how much a minor fender bender with a 959 would cost.
And this may be the 959’s least expensive part.
Under the floorboard:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mFleLfedrU[/youtube]
Apologies for the blurry images. I was shaking from all the excitement.
Images source: Copyright 2013 Hooniverse/Jim Yu
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