Vehicle Description
Chassis No. WP0AB2A97RS225489
Cynical marketing exercise or more than worthy scion to Porsche's
illustrious off-road heritage? A question posed by many when the
new 911 Dakar debuted as the third in a series of four 911 based
Heritage Design Edition models that also included the
992-generation Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition, Sport Classic, and
S/T. Once tested on-road and off by the press and fortunate new
owners alike, the new 911 Dakar easily surpassed all expectations
as a unique fusion of classic Porsche heritage offering more than a
taste of off-road adventure.
Throughout the 1960s and mid-1970s Porsche excelled at rallying,
most triumphantly at the Rallye Monte Carlo in 1968, 1969, and 1970
with a close second place at the 1974 East African Safari Rally.
After the mid-1970s, Porsche's racing department, highly focused on
endurance racing and Can-Am, did not have the capacity to properly
support rallying at the highest level, no matter how successful
they had been. In fact, Porsche factory driver and Monte Carlo
rally winner Vic Elford was often quoted saying that Porsche would
have won every major rally in the 1970s if they had remained
committed to the sport. Elford's disappointment was likely assuaged
by the 911 SC RS, Type 954, and 959 supercar rally programs leading
Porsche into a new era of Rothmans-sponsored dominance with overall
victories at the 1984 and 1986 Paris-Dakar Rallies.
The 992-generation 911 Dakar is inspired by those legendary cars
and events, yet it also speaks to those present-day Porsche
aficionados who realize a 911, no matter how special and limited,
is best enjoyed as its designers and engineers intended. The Dakar
represents an unexpected modern twist on the 911 formula, a
slightly irrational car providing unbridled joy for those who may
use it as they once might have raced a 1/12 scale Tamiya Rothmans
959 across a dusty backyard.
Dakar production was limited to 2,500 examples worldwide with
significantly fewer made available to U.S.-based Porsche customers,
many of whom continue to be 918 Spyder Circle members. Ordered via
Porsche North Houston in White / Gentian Blue Metallic, this Dakar
features the $28,470 "Rallye Design Package" option that clothes
the Dakar in the retro-inspired livery worn by the factory-entered
1984 Type 954 and 1986 959 rally cars that emerged victorious in
the Paris-Dakar in the mid-1980s. One of three historic liveries
available from the factory via Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, the
"Roughroads" livery suits the 992's flowing body lines
exceptionally well. Further notable factory-fitted options include
Exclusive Design tailpipes in Silver, side mirror bases in exterior
color, tachometer face in White, Burmester High-End Surround Sound
System, Titanium wheel bolts, and Sport Chrono stopwatch dial in
White. Additionally, this Dakar features the $3,740 Extended Rallye
Design Package that includes a number of interior components in
Race-Tex with Shark Blue deviated stitching, air vent slats in
leather, and an owner's manual wallet in Race-Tex with deviated
stitching in Shark Blue and embossed Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur
logo. Furthermore, this Dakar is enhanced with numerous Dakar
Tequipment accessories including a mounted roof basket, active
travel bag, two water canisters with brackets, and two MaxTrax
recovery boards.
Offered with 141 miles at the time of cataloging, this "showroom
fresh" example comes complete with its manual set, emergency
accessories, and its original window sticker. As one of the last,
special 992-generation 911s produced, the Dakar is a well-deserved
sendoff showcasing the best of what Porsche can offer in an
engaging and unexpected off-road driving experience.
