The production prototype going to auction was used to develop the version of the coveted Porsche 959, seen here. Image: motoyen/Flickr/CC BY

Have you ever wanted to own a super car like the Porsche 959? Well, an ultra-rare prototype is going up for auction in Arizona this month. But don’t expect to get a good deal.

Porsche 959 ‘almost unimaginable’ performance

Michael Harley of Autoblog says the “Porsche 959 was arguably the finest super car of its era (1986-1989).” Its twin-turbocharged 2.8-liter flat-six engine was capable of 450 horsepower. It could do 60 mph in under four seconds and had a top speed of 195 mph. Its performance, according to Kurt Ernst of HighGearMedia.com, was “almost unimaginable.”

In the racing world, it won the Paris-Dakar Rally in 1986, and a modified version — the Porsche 961 — came in seventh place at the 24 hour Le Mans endurance event in the same year.

Rare prototype production model

Now an incredibly rare prototype production model is going to the Barrett-Jackson auction block in Scottsdale, Arizona. The model was originally developed for Group B Rally competition, but Porsche developed it into commercial production model when competition rules changed.

The prototype for sale is one that was used by performance engineers to develop the chassis and ABS for the production version. Twenty-nine production prototypes were built. Of those, only four still exist. And of those four, only two are in a drivable state.

It is one of those two that will be the coveted centerpiece of the 42nd annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction this month. There is no reserve price set for this crown jewel of Porsche collectibles. However, production 959s often sell for more than $200,000. But don’t bother checking on bank auto loan rates. Bidders had better have some pretty deep pockets to even think about competing.

[To Get The Utmost Price For A Used Car, Van, Truck or SUV Consult Springfield Miller Dodge Chrysler Jeep Now.]

A showpiece, not a road warrior

However, no matter its legendary performance, the winner of this auction will not be able to drive this prize beauty off the Scottsdale lot. The production prototype was not designed to be used on public roads. It does not meet safety or emission regulations and can not be licensed for the open road in its present state.

Auction details

The 42nd annual Barrett-Jackson auction runs from Jan 13-20 at WestWorld in Scottsdale, Arizona. For more details, visit the auction house’s website at Barrett-Jackson.com.

The Porsche 959 production prototype is listed as lot #5011.