To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' London event, 24 October
2019.
Estimate:
£60,000 - £80,000
- Stunning recreation of the iconic Safari Rally Porsches
- Modified 2.7-litre engine with 915 manual gearbox
- Full roll cage and central fire extinguisher fitted
The Safari Rally, originally known as the East African Coronation
Safari, was a legendary rally race held annually in Kenya. With a
covered distance in excess of 5,000 kilometres through the harsh
landscape of the Kenyan desert, it was a demanding test of both man
and machine, a test that Porsche was to contest several times in
the 1970s. Built as an homage to the 1979 entry, the incredible
machine on offer here faithfully recreates the appearance and
performance of that iconic competition Porsche.
The basis for the project was a rust-free 1977 Porsche 911 2.7. The
car was carefully dismantled, and the existing paint was removed so
as to not interfere with the factory anti-corrosion coating. It was
then subjected to some 300 hours of work to reinforce the body and
suspension attachment points. During this process the body
structure, including the doors, was extensively lightened. A
10-point roll cage was also installed at this time. The stock
interior was also completely eliminated, with polycarbonate windows
being fitted to further reduce weight.
Every area of the suspension system was then specially modified or
built from scratch to raise the car approximately 12 centimetres
above the stock ride height. The front and rear shock absorbers
were scratch-built by a Bilstein specialist, with thicker and
reinforced tubes and longer travel to better overcome obstacles and
to have more grip in the dirt roads and jumps. Consequently, this
Porsche is highly capable on even the roughest of roads.
The car is powered by a modified 2.7-litre engine backed by a
specially prepared 915 manual gearbox with special aluminum racing
clutch kit. Carburetion is provided by specially modified Weber
carburettors. In preparation for the upgraded engine, a special
engine-oil cooler was fitted in the front of the Porsche.
This iconic Porsche 911, which weighs just 960 kilograms fully
loaded, is sure to provide an exhilarating driving experience. It
has already been proven in the hands of several professional racing
drivers and is fully ready for any road or terrain in the world.
Like the original Safari cars, it is fitted with Oscar headlights,
a roof rack made to measure and designed for raids or safaris
equipped with a gasoline drum, a spare wheel, plates to get out of
mud or sand, shovel, and a pneumatic jack that works with the
exhaust gases to get out of any situation.
You'd be hard-pressed to find a more attractive and more capable
Porsche anywhere in the world.To view this car and others currently
consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/lf19.