For Sale at Auction: 2023 Porsche 911 in Costa Mesa, California

Chassis No. WP0AB2A93PS226040
Dakar No. 0408/2500

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 in late 2022 for the 2023 model year. Once tested on-road and off by the press and fortunate new owners, 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 when J�rgen Barth helped force the company back into rallying with his factory-approved 924 Monte and Safari cars, then went on to develop the 911 SC RS. That program ultimately led to the 959 supercar rally effort, which propelled Porsche into a new era of Rothmans-sponsored dominance, highlighted by overall victories in the 1985 Pharaoh Rally and, yes, the 1986 Paris-Dakar Rally.

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 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 were 918 Spyder Circle members. Yet, according to a copy of its original window sticker, this example was commissioned by Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles to display the model to the thousands who experience the Porsche brand firsthand.

Ordered 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. Furthermore, the livery extends to the interior with coordinated Shark Blue Stitching. Additional factory-fitted options include a Heated GT Sport Steering Wheel in Leather and Locking Wheel Bolts.

Offered with only 98 miles at the time of cataloging, this "showroom fresh" example comes complete with its manuals, its build sheet, and a clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report. 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.