The Porsche 944 has always been one of those underrated transaxle beauties that balanced everyday drivability with a sports car spirit. But Austrian design studio Vagabund Moto, working alongside Nine Eleven and Germany’s Garage Dakar, decided the 944’s 50/50 weight distribution could handle something far more adventurous. Enter the 944 Safari — a conversion kit that transforms the classic front-engine Porsche into a legitimate all-terrain machine.
From Graz to Gravel
If you’ve followed Vagabund’s trajectory since founders Paul Brauchart and Philipp Rabl opened shop in 2015, you know they’re not precious about heritage, and that philosophy carries over here. The 944 Safari isn’t a show piece, but a fully sorted conversion developed over the past year with actual capability in mind. It just so happens to look good in the process.
The lift kit increases ride height by 40mm through a revised rear axle setup, new spring plates, and specific rear shock absorbers. Vagabund spec’d 205/70/15 off-road tires — either Maxxis Trepador or Bridgestone Dueler A/T — mounted on powder-coated rims in black or gold, with a fifth spare on a “telephone” or “cookie cutter” style rim.
There’s no word about the interior upgrades, but from the photos, we can see the cockpit has been given Sandtler 3-point seatbelts.
Purpose-Built Details
Four HELLA Rallye 1000 or Comet 500 lights get mounted up front, while a custom roof rack handles gear overflow and rubber mud flaps protect the bodywork. The UV-resistant Vagabund Safari livery ties everything together without overwrought graphics.
The 944’s original inline-four and manual gearbox remain untouched with its 163 horses. Only now, you can take them farther off the highway. The transaxle layout that made the 944 balanced on pavement now serves traction distribution across loose surfaces.
Spec Sheet
Compatible Models: Porsche 944/924 (1975-1991)
Lift: +40mm
Suspension: Revised rear axle, new spring plates, custom axle conversion, specific rear shock absorbers
Tires: 5x 205/70/15 off-road (Maxxis Trepador or Bridgestone Dueler A/T)
Wheels: Customer rims powder coated in black or gold
Spare: Fifth rim in “telephone” or “cookie cutter” design
Lighting: Four HELLA Rallye 1000 or Comet 500 lights
Extras: Custom roof rack, rubber mud flaps, UV-resistant Safari livery
Price: ~$45,045 (conversion only, vehicle not included)
Pricing & Availability
The Vagabund Safari 944 conversion is available now through Elferspot in Austria for €37,944 (~$45,045). That price covers the full kit with installation and alignment but doesn’t include your donor car or shipping logistics. While the 1983 model is shown here, the kit is compatible with any Porsche 944 or 924 from years 1975 to 1991.
Recap
1983 Vagabund Porsche Safari 944 Coupe Conversion Kit
Vagabund Moto teamed up with Nine Eleven and Garage Dakar to create a Safari conversion kit for the Porsche 944/924, featuring 40mm lift, proper off-road tires, rally lights, and all the hardware you need to take a transaxle classic anywhere. It’s around $45k for the conversion (you supply the car), and it fits any 944 or 924 from 1975 to 1991.
