Quote:
Originally Posted by fallingat120mph
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): |
I appreciate the thoughts and vote of confidence! I still haven't decided, but like you, I've seen a lot of safari builds out there lately and there is definitely a large and growing following for them. I lived in WI in a county with mostly dirt/gravel roads and a rally inspired 911 would have been nirvana...my Subaru rally car was a pretty fun substitute though lol.
On that front, if anyone is looking for an amazing road trip, take an AWD or 4x4 vehicle and do the Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail, lovingly referred to as the "TWAT." It's 600 miles of the best roads in WI, starting at the IL border and ending at the northernmost town in WI (Cornucopia) on Lake Superior, about 50:50 paved to gravel/dirt. It was originally created as a dual sport route, did it once on my Cagiva Gran Canyon, but they also modified it into an overland route that I did in my AWD GMC Savana van and a buddy did in his Subaru wagon. It's an incredible route, beautiful changing scenery and great roads, with great camping along the way, a must do for backroad and camping enthusiasts, one of the best adventures of my life.
I love going to rallies (not political
)...the fans are amazing, the race teams are welcoming, and the eclectic mix of race and spectator cars is second to none. Here's me and my old rally built Subaru with rally legend Petter Solberg at the Lake Superior Performance Rally in the "UP." That's another experience I highly recommend, one of the great events in motorsports.
