Between 1970 and 1972, Porsche built a limited number of sport-purpose 911s that are now commonly referred to as STs – a 911 S in the lightweight trim of a T. Following the tradition established by the 911 R, these 911 STs were purpose-built competition machines developed at the pinnacle of Porsche’s endurance racing program and equipped with state-of-the-art components. Constructed in Porsche’s Werk I race shop, STs were campaigned by privateers and the factory team in a wide range of events – from endurance races to punishing, off-road rallies.

This 911 ST, chassis 9111300647, is one of five rally cars that Porsche constructed for their works racing team’s assault on the 1971 East African Safari Rally. Held in various forms since 1953, the East African Safari Rally was, and remains, one of the world’s most challenging motor sports events. A 4,000-mile, multi-stage competition that traversed Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, the 1971 running of the Safari Rally attracted factory entries from Nissan, Ford, Lancia, and Saab. Porsche also committed to a full factory effort, sending five ST rally cars, eight service vehicles, and a reconnaissance plane to Kenya in spring 1971.

The five-car Porsche team consisted of three race cars and two trainingwagens, or practice cars: one green, one white. The car offered here was the white practice car, which wore the German registration “S-AA 3129.” The unique configuration for these ST rally cars, or STRs, included strengthened body shells with extra structural reinforcements and wide rear fender flares. Powered by a twin-plug engine, the Safari cars were equipped with revised gear ratios, a 40% locking differential, and increased oil capacity. Designed to handle any terrain, the STRs were raised to give 10” of ground clearance and outfitted with a roll bar, CB radio, skid plates, dual spares, auxiliary lighting, timing equipment, and any accessories deemed necessary. As Porsche’s factory effort was sponsored by Sears, all five cars were fitted with the brand’s distinctive white-stripe tires.

Included among the rally’s finishers was one of the works 911 STRs, which placed 5th Overall. Following this event, this car was reportedly sold to a Swedish customer and later relocated to Germany, where it was repainted blue and converted to circuit specification. After its acquisition by an American collector, the ST was sent to Porsche specialist Gary Kempton in 2007 for a show-quality restoration. Several telltale features were immediately uncovered, including the reinforced jack points and the letters “STR” stenciled in chalk inside the rear wheel arch. The historic 911 was then completely restored to its original works rally specification, but finished in the more famous green livery of the no. 33/Waldegård car.

In 2011, respected Porsche authority Jeff Zwart purchased 0647 from Karl-Heinz Feustel, and the research of ST authority Hugh Hodges confirmed that this car is in fact the white trainingwagen from 1971, leading to the refinishing of the ST in its historically accurate Light Ivory and black paint scheme. In the care of the consignor, an avid vintage rally enthusiast, the livery of this extraordinary 911 has been enhanced and is now presented in appropriate appearance for the 1971 race; it features white-striped tires as it did when new, as well as Sears-branded locks on the hood. Contained in the car’s history file are copies of important factory records, period photographs, registration documents, and more.

One of only four East African Safari Rally STs known to survive, this road-going rally car is an important piece of Porsche racing history. This notable example stands as a fantastic tribute to the extraordinary versatility of the 911 and, as a genuine works team car, is worthy of a place in the most discerning Porsche collection.