Just came from the Hill Country Rallye in Texas and there were actually more safari builds there than I expected.
From someone who has traveled by moto and an older modified Land Rover on three different continents there were times where I wish owned a slightly "safaried" 911.
Fast forward and I have moved from Texas to the Midwest and a safari build here would be great. From 4 seasons, pot holes from the salted roads, to so many gravel roads just the ground clearance alone would be incredibly useful.
In fact, we have been looking for properties out in the country, 10 plus acres and mostly on gravel roads. So, the thought has crossed my mind a few times with my 86.
All that said, as the owner of "near" show cars to my last eBay fly in and drive home 180,000 miles plus 911, if you do it tastefully and don't shortcut, I think there are buyers out there. The examples you posted photos of I am sure there is a happy medium you could aim for.
From someone who understands the purist side of things I also think it gets taken too far...I have owned everything from a 1949 Land Rover, 70's MG's, 73 Saab, mid 80's RX7's, mid 80's VW Sciroccos, 80's Classic Range Rovers, to modern day cars and motorcycles and I have never seen a group more worried about resale than Porsche owners. Which I respectfully understand...but...
My advice is
have a vision, keep it honest, don't Frankenstein the thing and have fun with the build. I think there are more people around here, than one thinks, that love watching these safari build threads secretly...I being one of them
Just at the Porsche dealer in Kansas City (a couple times over the past few weeks) and out back there was a mint green, mid 80s, you guessed it Safari build...they are out there and there is a market, but as others have stated just has to be the right day and the right time for the right buyer. You enthusiastically seem to understand this and open to pros and cons, so that alone is a good start.
All the best!
Erik
Not mine, but these two caught a lot of attention at the Rallye. Especially from the young (and the young at heart):
At the dealer (last week) in KC, MO mine and modern Safari:
