Long before Porsche gave us the factory-blessed Dakar, there was a thriving cottage industry of enthusiasts lifting air-cooled 911s and sending them sideways through dirt, snow, and anything else that got in the way – and we’re unapologetic fans of anything Porsche Safari at this point. This newly listed1980 911 3.0 SC Safari is exactly the kind of build that has us foaming at the mouth, and the Finnish team behind it went full send on authenticity.
A Rescue Mission Turned Rallye Legend
This SC started life in Hawaii before making its way to Sweden, and eventually landing in Finland in what can only be described as rough shape. Rather than restore it to concours-correct museum piece status, the new owners saw potential for something far more interesting: a proper Safari-spec rally machine built the way Porsche’s racing department would have tackled it in the ’70s and ’80s.
The entire transformation was executed using traditional metalwork – there are zero fiberglass shortcuts here. Every panel that needed replacing got replaced, and the bodywork was massaged to accommodate the lifted stance and aggressive tire setup. It’s the kind of attention to detail that earned this build “Best of Show / People’s Choice” at Porsche Festival Finland 2022, and honestly, you can see why.
Built to Actually Use
The rally-spec Bilstein suspension does the heavy lifting, paired with iconic Fuchs wheels wrapped in Nokia Rockproof 225/75R16 rubber that looks ready to tackle everything from desert dunes to frozen lakes. Up top, there’s a roof-mounted spare and a trio of LED auxiliary lights for when the adventure extends into the evening.
Inside, Recaro buckets with four-point TRS harnesses replace the original seats, and a custom roll bar adds both safety and that proper competition aesthetic. The entire interior has been reupholstered to match the build’s cohesive vision, finished in a black leather that plays perfectly against the exterior’s metallic Geminigrau paint.
Porsche Specialists Behind the Scenes
Obviously, this wasn’t a backyard wrench job. The build was handled by Carace, a Finnish Porsche specialist that clearly knows their way around an air-cooled flat-six. Engine and transmission work went to Kiveriö Customs Oy, who also installed a Turbo Thomas exhaust system that gives the naturally aspirated 3.0-liter its proper soundtrack. The 201-horsepower output remains stock, but in a car this light and capable, that’s more than enough to have serious fun.
Spec Sheet
Model: 1980 Porsche 911 3.0 SC Safari
Engine: 3.0L Flat-Six
Power: 201 HP
Transmission: Manual
Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
Suspension: Bilstein Rally Setup
Wheels: Fuchs (period-correct)
Tires: Nokia Rockproof 225/75R16
Interior: Recaro Bucket Seats, Custom Roll Bar, Four-Point Harnesses
Exterior Color: Metallic Geminigrau
Mileage: ~621 miles (1,000 km since build completion)
Country of Origin: USA (Hawaii)
Current Location: Finland
Pricing & Availability
Currently listed through Autofabrik in Finland, this one-off Safari build is available for €129,000 (approximately $141,000 USD) via Elferspot.
Recap
1980 Porsche 911 3.0 SC Safari
A Best of Show-winning, Finnish-built rally conversion that combines traditional metalwork, Bilstein suspension, Recaro buckets, and proper Fuchs wheels to create the Safari-spec 911 Porsche should have built decades ago—now available for €129,000.
