Porsche 959(1:87, Herpa)
- Porsche 959 (from 1986)
- Herpa
- 1:87
- Showcase model / No engine
- plastic
- red
- locale dealer (B H)
- 7,00 EUR
- Not specified
- Not specified
- Not for sale
Historical context and placing the real car
The model shown here is clearly based on the Porsche 959, the street-legal tech flagship from Zuffenhausen. The Porsche 959 is seen as a milestone among the 1980s supercars and was created as a homologation car for the then-planned Group B. The series belongs to the 1st generation and was built in the period 1986–1988. Conceptually it followed the 911 Turbo (internal code 930), but the Porsche 959 added lots of new tech. The project’s development lead was Helmuth Bott; design input came partly from Anatole Lapine and development experience from Roland Kussmaul in motorsport. To place the car in time: the first deliveries in 1986 happened against a backdrop of events like the Challenger disaster, the Chernobyl reactor accident and the Top Gun hit “Take My Breath Away.” I’m just using those to give you a feel for the era.
Technical facts and special features of the original
The Porsche 959 uses a 2.85-liter engine (0.75 US gallons) boxer engine with water-cooled cylinder heads and an air-cooled crankcase. The unit works with sequential twin-turbocharging and puts out roughly 331 kW (450 PS) — about 444 hp. It makes roughly 500 Nm of torque (≈369 lb-ft). Top speed is around 317 km/h (197 mph); 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) takes about 3.7 seconds. A central feature is the regulated all-wheel-drive system PSK (Porsche-Steuer Kupplung) with variable torque distribution — normally around 40:60 front-to-rear, but it changes dynamically depending on slip and driving situation. Other tech: six-speed manual gearbox, electronically controlled dampers, tire pressure monitoring, ABS, and a body made from aluminum, aramid fiber (Kevlar) and glass-fiber reinforced composite parts with a Nomex honeycomb core. The Porsche 959 also ran successfully in rallying, notably in events like the Paris–Dakar; in the late 1980s 959 prototypes and competition versions scored top results. Production was limited and exclusive: about 337 examples were built, including pre-production cars and prototypes.
The Herpa 1/87 scale model in modelmax’s collection
The model shown belongs to Modelly member “modelmax” and is a 1/87 scale piece made by Herpa. It’s a plastic model, so it fits well with standard H0 layouts and display cases. In the photos you can clearly see the Porsche 959’s flowing proportions: the gently sloping front with integrated air intakes, the low roofline, the wide rear and the flush bumpers. The paint is a uniform red with a smooth finish. Window frames and air intakes are darker, which gives nice contrast and brings out the lines. The wheels are molded as gray multi-spoke inserts; you can’t tell a specific wheel maker from that. Head- and tail-lights are represented as separate molded details, which adds structure. The interior looks dark; you can spot the driver’s seat and dash through the glazing. The plastic construction allows for clean separation lines between body, doors, hatches and bumpers without awkward gaps at this scale.
Design, details and collector value
The overall impression is convincing: the silhouette of the Porsche 959 is well captured at this tiny scale, with a recognizable roofline, pronounced wheel arches and subtly hinted aero parts. The red paint is applied evenly; there are no separate printed badges or model name — the shape and the intake details do the identification work. On the driver’s side the window is shown slightly open, which lets you peek into the cockpit and breaks up the scale visually. The wheels fill the arches nicely without sticking out. For dioramas this one works great with late-1980s street scenes thanks to its neutral rolling axles. For collectors the important bit is the consistent 1/87 scale and compatibility with the usual Herpa system, so the model mixes well with other H0 vehicles. As part of “modelmax”’s collection this is a neat example of how a technically important real car gets reduced to a compact, tidy model: small footprint, plastic build, red paint and a faithful line treatment that avoids over-the-top accessories while keeping the car’s key tech traits visible. If you’re searching for “Herpa 1/87 Porsche 959 model car,” this gives you a clear reference: compact dimensions, plastic construction, red finish and a shape that’s true to the original without being overloaded.
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- Write a first comment about this model now!Any comment can be discussed by all members. It's like a chat.Mention other Modelly members by using @ in your message. They will then be informed automatically.