Vintage race events have become increasingly popular over the last few decades, permeating just about every genre and class of motorsport competition, including grueling rally raid events. Starting in the year 2000, organizers have held annual runnings of the Dakar Classic, which sees competitors campaign retro machines in the unforgiving multi-day rally race. One team that will be participating in the 2022 running is comprised of brothers Agostino and Alberto Vassallo of Car&vintage fame who have joined forces with CountrysideWays and TAG Heuer to prepare a thoroughly ruggedized early ’90s 911 to take on the Dakar Classic.
Utilizing a 1991 Porsche 964 Carrera 4 donor, the build has been treated to a strengthened chassis that’s also received a roll cage and 9mm stainless steel plate reinforcements. At the heart of the vintage rally racer is a flat-six that’s mated to a five-speed manual transmission and puts down more than 300hp. Taking inspiration from Porsche’s 1984 Dakar-winning 953 911 variant, the donor’s stock nose has been jettisoned in favor of a custom tubular steel bumper, while the rest of the bodywork has been outfitted with flared fenders and a large rear wing. Other noteworthy elements on the project include a massive extended-range 160-liter tank, a multi–inch lift kit, EVO Corse wheels wrapped in 35” BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KDR2 tires, a custom perforated skid plate, a double-wishbone suspension setup with adjustable Reiger shock absorbers, and an interior featuring race seats with Sabelt five-point harnesses, an onboard air compressor, a pair of differential controllers, and a double handbrake. The entire vehicle is also cloaked in a “street art-inspired” livery courtesy of artist BorromeodeSilva.
Before taking on the 2022 Dakar Classic, the Vassallo brothers have opted to test their Porsche rally raider this week at the Tunisia Desert Challenge, where the machine will be put through its paces to have its kinks ironed out prior to lining up at next year’s running of the Dakar Classic. The team’s entire journey is also being documented on the Car&vintage website.
