Even thirty two years on the little details of the 959 can make other 911-based cars seem pedestrian. Where the GT2 RS is a wild machine covered in scoops, wings, and hyperbole, its floor is mere metal. The 959 separates its occupants from the pavement with nomex. Point, 80s dream machine. It seems that every other trait about the car is similarly insane. Time may have marched on from its contemporaries, but so much of the 959, at least on paper, seems thoroughly modern and extraordinary. While we know that in every measurable way related to on-road performance the GT2 RS will savage the elderly 959, but Everyday Driver seem to be asking is the new car as compelling?
In a strictly dollars for donuts way, the GT2 RS absolutely is. The GT2 RS cost less than the 959’s recent maintenance. Despite its formidable performance it remains oddly accessible, a trait it shares with the 959. The two cars also share interiors with lesser contemporary 911s. Oddly the GT2 RS and the 959S share a 211-mph top speed.
The two cars of course differ in focus. While the older car may have been developed for Group B homologation, in implementation it fell somewhere between 80s Supercar and ultimate-GT, with a dash of rock crawler thrown in for good measure. The one in the video was street parked in Monaco for many years, and was apparently used regularly. The GT2 RS is a fairly unabashed track car.
Of course, given our focus here at Flatsixes, we’ve talked about the 959 at length. We’ve featured wrecked 959s, 959s Doug Demuro likes, modified 959s, and Brad has ridden in one. We’ve also spent a lot of time discussing the GT2 RS, from heavily-optioned cars, to record setters. While we could crow on about how the 959 is the ultimate expression of Porsche’s transition into a tech-driven automaker, we’ll let Everyday Driver show you. This 28-minute video is an excellent watch.