997 Carrera Turns Safari and Sees Massive Price Boost

This 997 Safari build raked in big bucks at auction recently.

By Brett Foote - March 29, 2021
997 Carrera Turns Safari and Sees Massive Price Boost
997 Carrera Turns Safari and Sees Massive Price Boost
997 Carrera Turns Safari and Sees Massive Price Boost
997 Carrera Turns Safari and Sees Massive Price Boost
997 Carrera Turns Safari and Sees Massive Price Boost
997 Carrera Turns Safari and Sees Massive Price Boost
997 Carrera Turns Safari and Sees Massive Price Boost

Modern Build

Safari Porsches and other off-road-focused 911s are all the rage these days, but generally, they're built on 993 and older generations of the automaker's iconic sports car. However, this 997 Carrera recently received the safari treatment and hit the virtual auction block at Bring a Trailer with some pretty surprising results, even though the previous owner obviously spent a ton of dough transforming it. 

Photos: Bring a Trailer

Exterior Updates

After purchasing the car in stock condition on BaT back in 2018, the seller got to work transforming his machine into a rugged off-roader. That process including fitting it with GT3 Cup-style front fenders, a ducktail spoiler, a Rennline GT3 front bumper "smile" kit, front and rear bumper guards, a custom hood-mounted light pod with Hella Rallye 4000i Xenon bulbs, "Rhino" Porsche-style graphics, and a Yakima roof rack with a shovel and axe.

Photos: Bring a Trailer

>>Join the conversation about this pricey Safari 997 right here in the Rennlist Forum!

Suspension Mods

The Safari Porsche rolls on a set of 17-inch HRE 501M wheels with 225/65 BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A K02 tires, which benefit from a host of suspension modifications underneath. They include a JRZ Motorsport double adjustable suspension kit, along with 12-inch front springs and 15-inch rear springs.

Photos: Bring a Trailer

>>Join the conversation about this pricey Safari 997 right here in the Rennlist Forum!

Upgraded Cabin

The interior also received some upgrades in the form of gray and black leather Recaro Sportster CS seats with Schroth four-point harnesses, a set of RS-style door pull straps, a Fall-Line Motorsports half roll-cage painted to match the car's exterior, a CAE Ultra Shifter, a Kenwood eXcelon head unit, and an Alcantara Momo steering wheel.

Photos: Bring a Trailer

>>Join the conversation about this pricey Safari 997 right here in the Rennlist Forum!

Drivetrain

The 911's 3.8-liter flat-six remains in stock condition with 60k miles on the clock, with around 4k added by the seller. When new, it was rated to produce 355 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, which flows to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. 

Photos: Bring a Trailer

>>Join the conversation about this pricey Safari 997 right here in the Rennlist Forum!

Make to Off-Road

Since this 911 was built to actually go off-road, not just look the part, it's been fitted with skid plates to protect the gas tank and suspension bits, as well as custom-fabricated upper and lower control arms, toe links, and tension arms that have been correctly dialed in to preserve the car's suspension geometry.

Photos: Bring a Trailer

>>Join the conversation about this pricey Safari 997 right here in the Rennlist Forum!

Significant Jump

Altogether, this 997 is a nice build with a lot of quality parts, so it's no surprise that it generated a ton of interest at BaT. The Porsche wound up hammering for a significant selling price of $121,000, which is quite the jump from the $37,200 the seller paid for it back in 2018. But then again, who knows how much he invested in the car to make it a proper safari rig.

Photos: Bring a Trailer

>>Join the conversation about this pricey Safari 997 right here in the Rennlist Forum!

For help with maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section of this forum.

NEXT
BACK
NEXT
BACK