1987 Porsche 911 Safari "el Tigre"

Originally born in May 1987 as a standard 911 Carrera 3.2 finished in Grand Prix White over a Marina Blue interior, this Porsche has been thoroughly restored and transformed by LuftAuto at the E-Motion Engineering facility with input from Joey Seely, Rod Emory, Jeff Zwart, and Patrick Long into a spectacular homage to the Stuttgart manufacturer’s rally machines. Designated LuftAuto 002, this build progresses the project well beyond the efforts achieved on the sister car, 001, with a build cost approaching $300,000.Beginning with the heart of the vehicle, the 3.2-liter flat six-cylinder engine was built by Jeff Gamroth of Rothsport and fitted with revised camshafts, higher compression pistons, individual throttle bodies, and MoTeC engine control. This unit expectedly provides ample output, and a soulful engine note, at full throttle. Power is fed through a G50 transmission modified by Bill Rader Motorsports and features short gearing for second, third, and fourth gears. Naturally, a limited-slip differential ensures the rear tires are putting the power down.A crucial element of any car looking to tackle off-road environments, adjustable suspension with much greater degrees of travel utilizes custom tubular control arms mounted with spherical bearings for better feel and accuracy through the wheel. KW Suspensions provided the one-off Competition 3-Way coil over dampers to handle the demands of off-roading while maintaining comfort and reliability. The chassis structure was improved via boxed-in rear shock towers, additional bracing, and a back half roll cage.Stepping into the cabin, occupants are treated to Recaro bucket seats and a suede OMP rally steering wheel within a fully restored interior with fresh components. Custom, simplified door cards are opened via a strap, much like modern stripped-down Porsches. For increased driver comfort, a heating system for the cabin and windows was added by the current owner of the vehicle.The stunning Signal Yellow exterior is all business, with skid plates and brush guards on both bumpers providing ample protection from the environment. A roof rack that, along with the guards, was built by Rod Emory, holds a spare tire in a unique halo arrangement of tubing. Fifteen-inch Braid competition wheels provide a more contemporary look and are wrapped in Pirelli rally tires. In addition, Brembo supplied a set of disc brakes specifically built for the vehicle. Lastly, the mesh-protected complement of lamps rounds off the rally-ready look of this 911.In February 2025, Patrick Motorsports of Phoenix, Arizona, removed and separated the engine and transaxle to refurbish the gearbox and differential, which included installing a new clutch plate, ring gear, and pinion bearings. Digital invoices for this and other work are on file.A spectacularly well-engineered machine ready to take on the harshest environments, this 911 Safari by LuftAuto promises to be as thrilling to drive as it is to behold.‍