Porsche has been dipping into its archives again and came up with three visual packages for the new 911 Dakar that take inspiration from the marque’s historic rally cars.
When Porsche unveiled the 911 Dakar late last year it also revealed an optional Rallye Design Package for the car that gives it the look of the all-wheel drive car that won the 1984 Paris-Dakar rally. But this new trio of vinyl wraps take their cues from rally cars competing a decade earlier.
The graphics packages are inspired by the 911s that contested the 1971, 1974, and 1978 East African Safari Rallies and cost a ton less than the ’84 Rallye Design Package. The latter lists at $28,470 – although that does also include white wheels and Race-Tex fake suede interior trim – while the 1978 decal set, the most striking of the new three to be offered, is available from Porsche’s Exclusive Manufaktur department for $7,510. The other two kits are less complicated and can be ordered via Porsche Tequipment for $5,260.
Rallye 1971
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Porsche hadn’t really embraced the idea of wild graphics for its rally cars in 1971 so that year’s Safari machines made do with simple black decals on the bonnet, front wings, and doors. The 2023 kit includes a “19” for the door, which was the number on the most highest-placed 911 in that year’s rally. Polish drivers Sobiesław Zasada and Marian Bień came home fifth.
Rallye 1974
The East African Safari was a real car killer, and only 16 of the 99 entrants completed that year’s course, which involved tackling three sections of between 901-1,255 miles (1,450-2,019 km) in just five days. One of those was Swedish rally ace Bjorn Waldegard, who crossed the line in second place, and would have been first if a damaged wishbone hadn’t cost him 72 minutes.
Unlike the 1971 cars, the ’74 racers didn’t feature a black hood and fender tops, but they did gain broad blue stripes along the flanks just below the waistline. The modern version omits the Kuhne&Nagel and Nakufreight sponsorship, and the stripe is narrower to count for this, plus it gains Porsche lettering on the bottom of the doors.
Rally 1978
Bjorn was back for 1978, but so was his bad luck. Damage to his car’s wishbone, shock, and driveshaft meant he had to contend with fourth place. At least the Swede looked cool while he was parked up, sweltering in the sun thanks to the stunning, swooping red and blue colors.
The most recognizable, and likely to be the most in-demand of the new graphics packages obviously doesn’t carry the original’s Martini branding, but otherwise stays fairly true to the 1978 design, and includes the number 14 race number of Vic Preston Jr, who salvaged Porsche’s pride by coming home second.
Which would you choose for your 911 Dakar? Leave a comment and let us know.