Farewell to the Legend: The Unique 911 Dakar Tribute

image
Farewell to the Legend: The Unique 911 Dakar Tribute - Image for illustration purposes only
11-13-2024topgear

A Historic Rally Victory

In the 1984 Paris-Dakar rally, Jacky Ickx and Claude Brasseur encountered a major setback when a cable fire dropped their Porsche 911 to 139th place. Remarkably, they still managed to finish sixth. Another 911 achieved 26th place that year. Yet, the real spotlight was on René Metge and Dominique Lemoyne, who triumphed with their specially modified Porsche 911. This car featured twin shocks, elevated suspension, a reinforced shell, an innovative AWD system, and lightweight plastic panels, allowing them to conquer the grueling 11,000 km rally.

A Tribute to Icons

This victory marked Porsche's inaugural win in the world’s toughest off-road competition, paving the way for an extraordinary tribute—a special 911 Dakar edition. Commissioned by an Italian sports car enthusiast, this unique vehicle celebrates the end of the modern 911 Dakar era, commemorating the completion of all 2,500 units of the 992-gen Dakars.

The Sonderwunsch Masterpiece

Crafted by Porsche's Sonderwunsch division, this one-of-a-kind Dakar edition showcases a hand-painted, three-tone color scheme featuring vibrant shades of yellow, dark blue, and light blue—one of the most daring designs yet.

Under the Hood

Beneath its striking ‘Signalyellow’ and ‘Lampedusablue’ exterior, and its contrasting interior, lies the heart of a Carrera 4 GTS. This includes a 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six engine producing 475 bhp, an eight-speed PDK gearbox, and AWD capabilities. The result is an exhilarating 0-62 mph in just 3.4 seconds—quite a departure from the pioneering vehicle that claimed victory in the 1984 Dakar.

A Museum Highlight

In 2024, this unique Sonderwunsch 911 will be displayed at the Porsche museum, offering enthusiasts a rare glimpse before it is delivered to its new owner.

  

Summary

The exclusive 911 Dakar tribute celebrates Porsche’s historic 1984 Paris-Dakar victory and the conclusion of the 911 Dakar series. With its bold design, impressive performance, and historical significance, it serves as a fitting homage to a legendary era. Don’t miss the chance for a once-in-a-lifetime viewing opportunity at the Porsche museum.

What Others Are Saying...

No comments yet