Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The Safari 911 movement transforms classic air-cooled Porsches into rugged, rally-inspired machines, and this is one of the finest examples of the breed. Built by LuftAuto as its designated 002 car, this 1987 Carrera pairs a race-bred engine with genuine competition hardware. It sits on Bring a Trailer at $115,911 with three days to go.1987 Porsche 911 Carrera SafariCars & BidsWhat it's worth right nowSpecialist Safari 911 builds occupy a strong, if softening, corner of the air-cooled market. According to Safari build market data and recent sales, turnkey specialist builds generally trade from close to $80,000 into the $200,000s depending on the base car, the shop, and the specification, with the most pedigreed, name-shop builds commanding the upper end.AdvertisementAdvertisementFair value for a top-tier build like this sits close to $130,000 to $200,000, most likely close to $150,000 to $175,000, with the exceptional pedigree and reported build cost approaching $300,000 supporting the figure and the notes below tempering it. At $115,911 with three days remaining, the bidding should climb into that range.1987 Porsche 911 Carrera SafariBring a TrailerCondition and detailsThe car is a comprehensive, name-shop build, so it should be valued on the finished product and its pedigree. Transformed by LuftAuto at the E-Motion Engineering facility with input from Jeff Zwart, Rod Emory, Patrick Long, and Joey Seely, it runs a 3.2-liter flat-six built by Jeff Gamroth of Rothsport with individual throttle bodies, MoTeC engine management, higher-compression pistons, and revised cams, backed by a Bill Rader Motorsports G50 transaxle with shortened gears and a limited-slip differential.1987 Porsche 911 Carrera SafariCars & BidsThe chassis is reinforced with boxed shock towers and a back-half roll cage, riding on custom tubular suspension and KW three-way coilovers with Brembo brakes, a Rod Emory roof rack, and rally details throughout.1987 Porsche 911 Carrera SafariCars & BidsSeveral points deserve attention. The odometer shows 48,000 miles, but the Carfax flags a potential 2003 rollback with higher earlier readings and total mileage is unknown, so treat the mileage as shown despite the title's actual notation. There is no air conditioning, only a window defroster, and it wears non-DOT gravel tires, so budget for street tires and confirm registration and emissions where the buyer lives. On the reassuring side, the gearbox and differential were refurbished by Patrick Motorsports in 2025 with a new clutch, and it wears fresh 2026 tires and a new brake master cylinder. The dealer charges a $69 document fee.1987 Porsche 911 Carrera SafariBring a TrailerAdvertisementAdvertisementThe offerSpecificationDetailMakePorscheModel911 Carrera Safari BuildYear1987Mileage48,000 miles shownEngine3.2-liter flat-sixPowerNot specified by the sellerTransmission5-speed manualDrive typeRear-wheel driveExterior colorYellowInterior colorBlackCurrent bid$115,911, with three days leftInterested in this 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera Safari Build? View the listing here.What makes the Safari 911 uniqueThe Safari 911 is a modern celebration of a genuine slice of Porsche history, the rugged, rally-prepared 911s that competed in punishing events like the East African Safari Rally in the 1970s and 1980s. Where a standard 911 is a road and track machine, a Safari build raises the ride height, adds long-travel competition suspension, all-terrain tires, and underbody protection, and reinforces the chassis to create a car that can genuinely tackle gravel roads, fire trails, and unpaved mountain passes. The best builds achieve this without dulling the communicative, mechanical feel that makes an air-cooled 911 so special, retaining the precision while adding a new dimension of capability.1987 Porsche 911 Carrera SafariCars & BidsThis example represents that ethos at its highest level. Rather than a styling exercise, it is a thoroughly engineered machine executed by some of the most respected names in the Porsche world, with a race-bred Rothsport engine, a purpose-built transaxle, and bespoke suspension developed for real off-road use. That combination of genuine engineering, all-star pedigree, and rally-inspired character is exactly what separates a build like this from the many imitators the movement has spawned.My takeThis is a serious, pedigreed Safari build, and for a buyer who wants the very best of the genre, the credentials here are hard to match. The involvement of Zwart, Emory, Long, and Rothsport gives it genuine standing, the engineering appears comprehensive and purposeful rather than cosmetic, and the reported build cost approaching $300,000 speaks to the depth of the work. It is a spectacular, rally-inspired air-cooled 911 with real capability and real presence.AdvertisementAdvertisementFair value sits close to $130,000 to $200,000, most likely close to $150,000 to $175,000, with the softening Safari market, the shown mileage, and the usability caveats the main factors to weigh against that pedigree. Before bidding, verify the build documentation and the recent service, budget for street tires and the lack of air conditioning, and confirm registration where the buyer lives. Handle that, and this is one of the finest examples of the Safari 911 movement a buyer could own.Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Car Buying section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.