Mercedes Benz

The Porsche 959, which debuted at the 1985 Frankfurt auto show, still goes down in some books as the greatest supercar ever built. Making news last week was a 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort that Mecum auctions planned to sell during Monterey Car Week. What's interesting about this 959, with its gray-accented burgundy leather interior and just 3,657 miles on the clock — besides the fact that it is one of only 294 produced — is that it is literally a wreck. The word from Mecum was that the 959 was riding in a trailer that broke free from its tow vehicle and struck a tree. The auction house estimated a $450,000 to $550,000 sale price for the car, with its dramatically rearranged front end. These days, 959 Komforts in excellent condition are worth well more than $1 million and Sport models can fetch $2 million. But it was the photos of the smashed 959 circulating last week that had some old-timers reminiscing about the role another 959 crack-up played in at least allaying attitudes about ai...