A safari-specification 1978 Porsche 911 SC, driven by rally superstar Ken Block, has been listed for auction on the Collecting Cars platform.
Finished in Block’s ‘It’s A Living’ livery, the road-legal sports car competed in the 2022 East African Safari Rally Classic.
Built by the famed Tuthill Porsche company, the 911 SC represents a formidable classic rally machine.
‘One careful owner’
The East African Safari Rally Classic was first held in 2003, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the original Safari Rally. With a total distance of 1,133 miles, it clocks in at 100-miles longer than the entire U.S. Rally Championship.
Despite this Ken Block, and co-driver Alex Gelsomino, went all-in on the event. Collecting one stage victory, the duo finished in a respectable 19th position overall.
Since completing the event, the 911 SC has been returned to Tuthill Porsche in Oxfordshire. It still retains the dirt and dust collected on its African adventure.
Reinforcements incoming
Tuthill Porsche has developed a reputation for building impressive rally ready 911s. This particular 911 SC is no different, making use of a strengthened bodyshell.
Taken back to bare metal, the Tuthill team spent around 350 hours adding extra strengthening and double-skin reinforcements. Upgraded mounts for the suspension dampers were also installed.
Complete underbody protection was fitted, featuring sturdy ‘roo’ bars. The side windows are made from Perspex, whilst a safari roof vent is the finishing touch.
Inside, the 911 SC has a fully welded-in roll cage, a pair of Recaro bucket seats, and a dished Sparco steering wheel. Fire extinguishers and racing harnesses are present, too.
Powered-up Porsche
Powering the 911 SC is an air-cooled 3.0-l flat-six engine. A bespoke rally camshaft has been installed, said to push output to a considerable 280 hp. Tuthill fitted the Porsche with a competition-specification exhaust.
A bespoke safari five-speed gearbox is connected to a limited-slip differential. This uses a Tuthill gear lever, which features an extended shifter.
Custom Tuthill brakes are found behind the white 15-inch Braid alloy wheels. EXE-TC 5-way adjustable dampers, strengthened rear suspension arms, and a safari steering rack completed the build.
Ready to rally again
Tuthill notes that being in ‘as rallied’ condition means the 911 SC is wearing battle scars from its African competition. Minor damage can be seen on the lower body panels, with some repaired with tape.
Some dust and dirt can be found inside, but there are said to be no electrical mechanical faults with the car. It means it could be ready to rally again in next year’s Safari Rally Classic.
As a formidable rally machine in its own right, having been driven by Ken Block will only add to the appeal. Bidding had already been intense, ahead of the auction ending on Sunday, 5 June.
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