The Kelly-Moss Safari-Spec 1982 911 SC is the Ultimate Daily Driver

The Safari TX aka Project Lita

Kelly-Moss Road and Race (KMR) has perfected the art of converting ordinary Porsche 911 sports cars into exceptional off-road machines. You may ask why in the world someone would want to transform an excellent sports car into an off-road car; well, like Kelly-Moss Director of Operations Andy Kilcoyne once said, “If you’ve ever driven one, you’d understand why.” In all their 911 Safari builds, KMR enhanced the sportiness of the cars while adding healthy doses of all-terrain capability.

One of KMR’s latest builds is a 1982 Porsche 911 SC dubbed the “Safari TX” (internally referred to as Project Lita). A Porsche enthusiast in Austin, Texas ordered it. The Safari TX looks like it’s ready to take on the next Paris-Dakar rally, but it is really a sporty, capable, and comfortable daily driver; that’s what the owner wanted it to be. Hoonigan Autofocus was recently given the chance to film the Safari TX and several other KMR creations on a frozen lake in Wisconsin as they were being thrashed around in the snow.   

Photo Courtesy of Kellymoss.com 

Rebuilt From the Ground Up

The guys at KMR went all the way with this build. They stripped the stock 1982 Porsche 911 SC down to its tub and slowly rebuilt the car from the ground up. Each structural component was taken apart and refined, and various modifications were made along the way to improve the car’s structural rigidity. All the parts that were rusted through were replaced, and the car also got a fresh brilliant white paint coating. Except for the roof, which is made from Carbon Kevlar, the entire car is all metal.       

Photo Courtesy of Kellymoss.com 

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Rally-inspired Front

It’s not every day that you get to see a 1982 Porsche 911 with a ride height that is almost as impressive as that of a Jeep Wrangler, so the Safari TX is an attention grabber. To further emphasize its exterior off-road theme, the guys at KMR added a bull bar with a skid plate, custom black-painted front, and rear bumpers with a beefy, rugged look, and rally-inspired, circular driving lights on the hood.

Photo Courtesy of Motor1.com

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Rugged Styling

The car also has huge BFGoodrich LT truck tires, mud flaps behind each wheel, and a ducktail spoiler. Finishing off this look is the “Safari TX” badging on both sides of the car.

Photo Courtesy of Motor1.com

>>Join the conversation about the Kelly Moss Safari 911 right here at Rennlist.com.

Capability to Match

While the Safari TX was never meant to serve as a terrain-conquering machine, it is certainly equipped to serve in such a capacity. It is equipped with a bespoke KMR coil-over suspension system with EXE-TC gravel-spec rally dampers. This system provides 9 inches of suspension travel in the front and 7 inches of suspension travel in the rear, so it dampens the effects of rough terrain. It also delivers compelling ride quality on paved roads.

Photo Courtesy of Motor1.com

>>Join the conversation about the Kelly Moss Safari 911 right here at Rennlist.com.

Potent Engine

The Safari TX’s engine blends old-school construction with modern technology. This KMR-built engine is air-cooled just like the car’s stock engine, but it also includes a modern Kinsler fuel injection system and a throttle-by-wire system, so it starts nicely and runs smoothly. This 3.4-liter engine also benefits from a MoTeC engine management system that makes it highly responsive and potent.

Photo Courtesy of Hoonigan AutoFocus

>>Join the conversation about the Kelly Moss Safari 911 right here at Rennlist.com.

Plush Interior

KMR’s best work on this car is arguably on the inside. As per the owner’s request, they gave the Safari TX a bespoke, hand-crafted, leather-trimmed interior inspired by Texan ranch-country colors. The cabin features brown distressed leather trim on the dashboard, doors, and seats. On the doors, seats, and headliner, KMR added a checkered print that blends various shades of green and brown lines. On the floor, in the footwells, and behind the seats, the cabin’s upscale look is finished off with rich, light-brown carpet material. All these materials have been perfectly fitted and finished. Besides these appointments, this cabin also offers conveniences like a custom electric dual condenser air conditioning system and selective cruise control.

Photo Courtesy of Kellymoss.com

>>Join the conversation about the Kelly Moss Safari 911 right here at Rennlist.com.

Recaro Sport Seats

The Safari TX also features well-bolstered Recaro sport seats that inspire spirited driving. They are set up with harnesses and they also incorporate cooling functions that come in handy in hot Texan weather.   

Follow the rest of the discussion about the 1982 Porsche 911 SC “Safari TX” at rennlist.com/how-tos.  

Photo Courtesy of Kellymoss.com

>>Join the conversation about the Kelly Moss Safari 911 right here at Rennlist.com.

>>For help with your do-it-yourself maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section.