Rare Porsche 959 Crashes and Rolls in Switzerland
A Porsche 959, one of just 337 built, ended up on its roof in Geneva after the driver lost control on a wet road.
A Porsche 959, one of the rarest supercars ever made, was badly damaged after crashing and rolling onto its roof in Geneva, Switzerland. The incident occurred in March 2015, when the driver reportedly lost control in wet conditions.
According to reports at the time, the driver was travelling at speed and lost grip on the damp surface. The car struck a guardrail before overturning and coming to rest on its roof. Details on injuries were not provided, but the focus quickly turned to the fate of the car itself given its rarity and value.
The Porsche 959’s rarity and value
The 959 is regarded as one of Porsche’s most advanced and desirable models. Built between 1986 and 1989, only 337 units were produced. The car was developed as a technological flagship, featuring a 2.85-litre twin-turbo flat-six engine, four-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox. Standard output was 444hp, with some 959S variants offering up to 530hp. At launch, the 959 was the world’s fastest street-legal production car, reaching a top speed of 317km/h (197mph) and accelerating from 0-100km/h in just 3.4 seconds.
Incidents involving 959s are rare due to their limited numbers and high values, with most owners keeping them as collector’s items. When a crash does occur, it attracts attention well beyond the usual supercar accident coverage. The Geneva crash was quickly circulated among enthusiasts and on specialist websites.
Crash circumstances and aftermath
The accident reportedly happened after the driver lost control at speed on a wet Geneva road. The car hit a barrier and rolled, coming to rest upside down. Photographs showed the 959 on its roof with visible damage, but the full extent to the chassis and mechanicals was not detailed in initial reports.
Given the car’s rarity, the possibility of repair and restoration was raised. Specialist workshops have previously rebuilt heavily damaged 959s, but the process can be lengthy and costly due to the scarcity of original parts and the car’s complex construction.
Why 959 crashes matter to collectors
Each Porsche 959 lost or seriously damaged further reduces the already tiny pool of surviving cars. For collectors and enthusiasts, news of a crash like this is a reminder of the risks involved in using rare supercars on public roads, especially in challenging conditions. It also highlights the ongoing demand for specialist restoration skills able to keep these icons on the road.
While the outcome for this specific 959 remains unconfirmed, the Geneva crash stands as a cautionary tale for owners of rare and valuable classics.
