Porsche releases decorative wraps for 911 Dakar inspired by rally designs of the ‘70s

MANILA: Porsche is offering three exclusive wraps for the Porsche 911 Dakar to replicate the look of the 1971, 1974, and 1978 entrants in the East African Safari Rally.

The East African Safari Rally is considered as one of the toughest rallies ever. The participants tackle more than 5,000km of Kenya’s savanna and desert scrubland.

Porsche joined the East African Safari Rally for the first time in 1971. The participating Porsche 911 S units were distinguished by black decals on the bonnet, front wings, and doors. The Rallye 1971 decal set for the Porsche 911 Dakar replicates this design with the addition of competition number 19, which belonged to the Porsche 911 that placed fifth in the 1971 competition, helmed by Polish drivers Sobieslaw Zasada and Marian Bien.

In 1974, the East African Safari Rally was divided into three parts of 1,450km to 2,019km. Swedish rally champion Bjorn Waldegard finished second in the Porsche 911 Carerra 2.7 RS along with co-driver Hans Thorzelius. Waldegard was on the lead for a long while and began the third part with a 36-minute gap but a damaged wishbone cost him 72 minutes.

The 911 Carrera featured decals of the major sponsor with blue stripes that traced the shoulder lines of the white car. The exclusive wrap is derived from this theme, but features narrower stripes and Porsche logo on the lower edges of the doors.

In 1978, Waldegard returned to the East African Safari Rally in a custom-built Porsche 911 SC Group 4. Waldegard placed fourth, while the other 911 SC Group 4 car driven by the South African tandem of Vice Preston Jr. and John Lyall finished second. The decals of the major sponsor featured wave-shaped surfaces in orange and light and dark gray, which was made familiar by the activities of the Martini Racing Team. These iconic decals have been reinterpreted by Porsche designers, added with competition number 14 on the doors, which belonged to Preston’s car.

The three exclusive wraps can be ordered at the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. The Rallye 1971 and Rallye 1974 decal sets will also be available soon at Porsche Centers.

Photos from Porsche

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