1984 saw the first victory for the Porsche 911 at the Paris-Dakar Rally. To honor the occasion, the German marque gave owners of the new 911 Dakar the option to grab a Rallye Design Package to make the car look like the all-wheel drive version from some 40 years ago.
Now, Porsche has unveiled three new vinyl wrap options to commemorate three significant non-wins at the East African Safari Rally prior to the victory in ‘84. In 1971, the team’s most successful entrant was driven by Polish drivers Sobiesław Zasada and Marian Bień. It came in fifth and, just like the new decal, was numbered 19 over black accents on the doors, fenders, and hood.
The 1974 event proved to be even more treacherous, as only 16 cars completed the race out of 99 entrants. Swedish driver Björn Waldegård almost finished in first until a damaged wishbone in the final section cost him the lead and he ultimately came in second. Unfortunately, damage would occur once more in the ‘78 event, causing Waldegård to finish in fourth. Luckily Vic Preston Jr. would end up in second for Porsche that year. The ‘74 sponsors Kuhne&Nagel and Nakufreight are left off the new decal, but the blue shoulder stripes are still present, if not narrower. Likewise, the ‘78 edition pays homage to Preston Jr.’s number 14 car, with design cues thanks to Martini Racing Team, although the logos are omitted.
Available from the Porsche factory, the three 911 Dakar vinyl wraps are priced at either $5,260 for the ‘71 and ‘74 editions or $7,510 for the ‘78 edition.
