Three-and-a-half seconds…count it out loud.

“One-one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand….”

And there you have it!

The Porsche 959 just sprinted from a dead stop to 60 mph, with its hyper-advanced boxer six howling through each gear, pulverizing the tarmac below it with 450 brake horsepower via two monstrous intercooled turbochargers. All of this occurred exactly three decades ago, at a time when the most competitive sports cars on the road would be hard pressed to hit the same mark in less than five seconds, and also at a time when most car enthusiasts had barely heard of carbon fiber. Even a full decade later, in the mid-1990s, machines that cracked the 180-mph mark were rare and ultra-sophisticated supercars. Even Porsche’s final air-cooled 911 Turbo in the late 1990s hadn’t bested the 959’s 0–60 times! The 959 was packed with technology never seen before in a road car, making it easier to compare with aircraft than other road going automobiles.

According to its Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, this particular 959 Komfort was delivered new with silver paint over its super-lightweight body panels and a burgundy leather interior with contrasting seat inserts in tri-tone silver and grey. The car was originally delivered to Spain in 1988, and its first owner was a well-known industrialist, clearly an individual who could have afforded the car’s mind-numbing $300,000 price tag. He owned the 959 for nearly 20 years before selling it to its second Spanish owner in 2006.

This individual relocated the United States in 2011 and the 959 traveled with him. It was imported by Autosport Designs Inc. in Huntington Station, New York, on his behalf, under the Show and Display law, which was championed by Bill Gates and Paul Allen so they were able to enjoy their own 959s in the United States. Upon its arrival at Autosport, the car received a full engine-out service, which totaled to nearly $40,000, bringing it to its current, freshly maintained, and outstanding driving condition. Furthermore, its adjustable suspension with rear hydraulic and tire pressure sensors would have brought the driver both great comfort over long trips and great feedback when necessary.

While with its current collector, this 959 has been stored in a climate-controlled facility and has seen minimal use following its major service. As such, it remains in remarkably well-preserved and original condition, with its odometer currently showing just under 21,100 kilometers (13,111 miles), which is commensurate with the lack of wear both inside and out. The fact that it has an original interior and no aftermarket upgrades or changes should definitely contribute to its lasting value. This wonderful driver presents incredibly well throughout and would certainly be a welcome addition to any Porsche Club of America event.

It is also important to note that due to the fact that this 959 is now over 25 years old, it is no longer restricted in terms of annual mileage under the Show and Display rule, making vehicles of its kind all the more valuable to collectors. Additionally, this 959 retains its original books, tools, first aid kit, jack, air compressor, and extra keys, as well as its Porsche Certificate of Authenticity.

A 959 is a rare sight in the United States, as they were never originally offered for sale here, and the availability of a properly imported and well-sorted example is all the more rare. Only 337 examples were built in total worldwide. It is obvious why the 959 is in such high demand by collectors, as the car, in its heyday, was light years ahead of its competitors in terms of technology, engineering, and performance. Many would argue that it set the stage for the technology-laden supercars of the 21st century, showcasing features that would become the industry standards in years to come. This particular example is surely one of the finest, as it is presented in spectacular original condition and is ready to hit the open road following its comprehensive service.

With the Porsche market heating up tremendously in 2015, astute collectors are closely watching the marque's most iconic models, of which the 959 is clearly the most celebrated. More than merely break the mold, it utterly shattered it, and in so doing, it has secured a place in the history books as one of the most sought-after cars in the world.