Canepa Porsche 959 as Reimagined SC with 800 PS & 881 NM!

Recently updated on March 6, 2024 at 10:49 am

Can you still think of the dreamlike 1979 BMW M1 Procar with 414PS from the tuner Canepa recall? The US tuner, which specializes in classic cars, actually dared to modify the M1 and elicit 414 hp and 484 Nm of torque from the engine. And now you have dared again to an absolute classic and again there was a significant increase in performance. The basis this time is the rare Porsche 959 super sports car. Alongside the F40, it was the supercar of the 80s, with an outer skin made of Kevlar, a front apron and front spoiler made of polyurethane and magnesium rims that were completely unknown on public roads at the time. And ex-racer Bruce Canepa was convinced that the factory 450 PS & 500 NM torque were by no means sufficient to ensure proper propulsion.

Vehicle no. 003 below

He transforms the classic once again into a machine that is way ahead of its time. The 959 was built between 292 and 337 times (exact information unknown) and while the first series cost a whopping 420.000 marks, the second series cost a crazy 747.500 marks. And at the moment, a 959 for under a million euros is an absolute bargain. And a Bruce Canepa vehicle as a modern restomod hypercar is much more expensive. The team has been doing the conversion for several years and according to their own statements, 8 vehicles have already been completed. A total of 50 vehicles are planned! And with a good 4000 working hours per vehicle, the effort is extremely enormous. If necessary, the 959 is completely disassembled and restored down to the last detail. The components are newly galvanized or coated with Teflon and then given a paint finish in original equipment manufacturer quality from a color range with a total of 150 original Porsche colors. On request, however, at any time with an individual paint finish.

with classic infotainment system in the interior

The same applies to the cabin. It will be restored to the condition of a new car and will receive new leather, LED lighting and the chic classic infotainment system from Porsche. The focus of a Canepa conversion is of course on increasing the performance of the six-cylinder boxer engine. This gets a large BorgWarner turbocharger, there are titanium connecting rods and also a new camshaft and low-friction bearings are used. The engine is set up for this E85 fuel um and a high performancealternator and a specially adapted software update essentially round off the changes. Results: Formerly 450 HP and 500 Nm torque become huge 800 HP and a maximum of 881 Newton meters. And that's not really a problem for the engine.

18-inch rims in the original 959 design

After all, the racing versions of the 935 to 962 had similar key data in the 90s. Of course, the manual six-speed gearbox is adapted to the significant increase in performance Clutch and with minor changes also the chassis of the 959. And only at second glance are the new exclusive 18-inch rims in the original 959 design in the wheel arches with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires and the brake system with slotted brake discs behind them clearly visible was strengthened.

Incidentally, Canepa claims to have already driven 959 mph (approx. 223 km/h) with a 359SC and accelerated from 2,3 to 0 miles (approx. 60 km) in 97 seconds. California entrepreneur Bruce Canepa's idea costs at least $750.000 plus. original 959, but the result speaks for itself and is always unique. If we receive timely information about further changes, there is of course an update for this report. You will be informed about this if you simply use our Feed subscribe to. Have fun watching the pictures and stay true to us!

(Photos: Canepa)

Of course that had not been the case. Our tuning magazine has tens of thousands more tuning reports in stock. Do you want to see them all? Just click HERE and look around. Or are you particularly interested in the topic Restomod? Then the following excerpt is definitely the right thing.

Canepa Porsche 959 as Reimagined SC

following pictures & information about number 003

• Restomod conversion based on Porsche 959 (450 hp & 500 Newton meters, 3,7 seconds from 0 to 100, maximum 315 km / h, price 420.000 marks)
• first Porsche 959 conversions by Canepa originally had 584 hp (later 649 hp)
• Since 2018, the Porsche 959SC Reimagined by Canepa has been delivering over 811 hp (800+ horsepower according to US specifications) and a maximum of 881 NM

• each car takes about 4.000 man-hours to complete
• Restoration to "concours level"
  - All mechanical components including chassis and body have been revised
  – each component gets a coating
• 2,9 liter biturbo boxer engine with new connecting rods, camshafts, valves, tappets etc. (almost all components are reinforced - new alternator, new starter, titanium heat shield etc.)
  - In addition, the KKK chargers with register charging have been replaced by Borg-Warner turbos with integrated wastegates
  – Replaced ignition and fuel system and injectors
  – Optimized air intake
  – new engine electronics
  - new wiring harnesses (by Motec)

• automatic fuel calibration enables refueling with E85 fuel
• Sports exhaust system made of stainless steel / titanium with two individual tailpipes and ceramic-coated manifolds
• rest of the drive train completely modified (Six-speed gearbox completely revised and strengthened, new and strengthened differential and clutch)
• Chassis based on the 959S (no possibility to adjust the vehicle height)
  – no hydraulics, lines & pumps (for less weight)
  - combined with titanium springs and shock absorbers from Penske
  - Lowering about 25 millimeters
• 18 inch rims with Michelin sports tires

• newly developed brake system
• Paint finish as desired or in the original Porsche colors
• new headlights
• The interior is re-leathered in around 400 working hours, there is a new on-board folder and tool bag, the infotainment and connectivity come from Porsche, all halogen lamps have been replaced with LED lights, the center console has a switch for the volume of the exhaust system
• the vehicle from the pictures is painted in the color emerald green and the number 003 of the small series of maximum 50 cars of the 959SC-Reimagined

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