It’s a hot trend at the moment, but it’s certainly one that has yet to run its course. I’m talking about folks “Safari”-ing their vehicles. It’s a notion gaining steam with the Porsche set. Subaru owners will tell you they’ve been doing this for years. Their battle wagons scarred up with signs of real adventure. Even I’ve been daydreaming about that moment in the future when my own Mercedes-Benz wagon will be finished and ready to ramble on.
Later today, I’m going to share a video I shot of a 1978 Porsche 911 SC that I drove. It’s been given the full Safari treatment, and the finished product is fantastic. Of course, there are lots of other vehicles out there that would benefit from such a transformation.
What vehicle would you Safari?
By Jeff Glucker
Jeff Glucker is the co-founder and Executive Editor of Hooniverse.com. He’s often seen getting passed as he hustles a 1991 Mitsubishi Montero up the 405 Freeway. IG: @HooniverseJeff
Kamil Kaluski
I feel like the Honda Crosstour is just begging for it.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e4886f42b40e699545cc39d3850217e7195d965d60d63594f767c5fd1d7215ac.jpg
That would actually be rad as hell
I know, right?
[insert Xzibit thing-in-a-thing meme]
How do you not safari in a Safari?
https://file.kbb.com/kbb/vehicleimage/housenew/480×360/2001/2001-gmc-safari%20passenger-frontside_gmsaf011.jpg
I don’t think it’s possible. I think the idea behind safari builds requires them to be sedan or coupe based. Pontiac Safari? Sure. GMC Safari? It would make an excellent off-road van, or a mini-expedition rig, but I don’t think it would be called a safari build.
ah, good point – so let’s update this to an ultra-cool Sunbird Safari
http://dev.hatchheaven.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pontiac_sunbird_sport_safari_wagon_79-880×403.jpg
That actually would be the coolest thing you could do with that car.
Go big or go home!
http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2009/11/CC-38-037-800.jpg
What if you used a Safari as a donor for a coupe build?
(This one is a Syclone, but same AWD system and similar chassis)
http://classiccarsonline.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/s-l1600-3-1024×768.jpg
Needs to look like this, just add lights and roof rack.
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSK5L-nRNTGciiHdWda-CS0z-lg2ZIErpFEJQkwIkS4x0qXgq24
You are misinterpreting the meaning of ‘Safari’ on that GM van. It’s not ‘Safari’ in the traditional sense of crossing Africa but a phonetic spelling of “So Far It”, as in “So far, it hasn’t broken down”.
Sephardic? The car breaks around 1:27
It just needs a mural like this one. Yo, dude, we heard you like Safaris, so…
https://www.v8van.com/uploads/2/5/6/4/25642883/4656554_orig.jpg
I vote yes
S550 Mustang GT Bullitt. The car I’m lusting after, with the suspension travel (and resulting comfort and capability) I’m needing.
I’ve got something in mind already….
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8a452a0f86cb6efec050ae790b0ed5fc19fc36ab7818bbb7eeef6d681bb506b4.jpg
How about Brock Yates “Yukon Corvette”?
https://www.corvettemuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/northwest-passage-part-ii-photo-205607-s-original-photo-460676-s-original-500×305.jpg
If you have not yet read about this drive, find it and read up. One of the best tales of that era.
A Buick Regal T-type (the Grand National’s little sister)
http://car-from-uk.com/ebay/carphotos/full/ebay816322.jpg
Solid rear axle for easy lift. Could probably find some sort of Donk parts to raise the front.
Or just this:
https://harrisautoracing.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Shannon-anderson.jpg
Granted, it’s already been done, but after a million Winga-Dinga’d cruise night A-bodies, something like James Carner’s 442 really needs to catch on.
https://st.hotrod.com/uploads/sites/21/2011/03/hrdp-1103-13-o-grabber-oldsmobile-442-the-grabber-oldsmobile-442-today.jpg
Yes, like a Trar, but cool.
One of my favorite cars of all time.
5-door SAAB 99. Slap some rally bits on there and a pair of metal studded snow tires and have myself a little Snow-fari down the Al-Can Highway. I’ve seen a 5-door SAAB swallow a garden tractor, they’re like a cave on wheels.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/cfa3308ebf695cff5d26c776f8aec275f770f78a5241024f481dd127d4fdbf40.jpg
https://i0.wp.com/www.atomictango.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/guinness-brilliant1.jpg
Throw on a Toppola camper for maximum Swedish weirdness
Alternate idea prompted by a Ford RS200 – I started thinking MR2 at first, but the Fiero’s got a long history of no one caring if you chopped it up a little, and plenty of feasible engine swaps. Call it Group B Minus.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HLiD1Sgf5Xo/WX6jnnKIwRI/AAAAAAAA0hU/ur_7yHYeQ-A_fV52Q4oxbc7ZXV4UMdiFwCLcBGAs/s640/Pontiac.jpg
I’d call it a red-neck Stratos! It actually looks very cool.
looks like a really nice Lemons racer
There was the Toyota 222D rally car built for Group S
http://www.motorsportretro.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/1979916_752164884816797_224281252_o-1024×683.jpg
I think pretty much everything needs popup headlights, but those are rad (also, its existence pushed me to suggest the Fiero).
Apparently it’s pretty easy to lift an MR2 a couple inches by installing Corolla struts.
http://www.grooshsgarage.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/00A0A_l7ZZRPRTDht_600x450.jpg
I’ve long wondered what a more hardcore* Group B car from GM would have looked like, and I’m inclined to think it would be a widebody Fiero with maybe a more upright/conventional front end.
Not to say the Opel Manta 400 wasn’t a serious bit of kit, but compared to the likes of the Delta S4, RS200, 205 T16 et al, it was hardly intimidating.
Am I doing this right?
https://i-kinja–img-com.cdn.ampproject.org/ii/w820/s/i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–pZAwOrR9–/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/17h2k2dg3q54ujpg.jpg
Or does it just cancel itself out.
This Audi TT looks pretty cool despite Jeremy Clarkson calling the TT a “receptionist’s car”. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9c2015fbaa0e8280b9d31cc4cf951941c3459dfb74dfa12905a4451026bb510a.jpg
Even Jeremy Clarkson doesn’t take Jeremy Clarkson seriously.. 😉
I’m considering running the exhaust over the roof on my 96. I’ve already got a spotlight that would work well up there.
http://www.murileemartin.com/UG/LWA12/LWA12-UG-169.jpg
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1960-1969/1960-1980-Saab-96-1969-Modified-for-Baja-1000-1024×768.jpg
Or you can use that other race monster – with a massive extra 18 hp! http://www.rallydaf.nl/scan/v66-%2005.jpg http://www.rallydaf.nl/scan/v66-%2006.jpg
That would be much better than the far too tall downdraft Weber that a previous owner installed on mine. I’d get to use the correct space for the spare:
https://autoweek.com/sites/default/files/styles/gen-738-415/public/130819941-7.jpg
My first thought was a first-generation Corvair, but now, I’m thinking this:
http://www.generationhighoutput.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2003-crown-victoria-p71-23.jpg
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/d63b6b0b5c5efb92ad273b2fd01357ada87c34f436fb9d0ee83ca17aa08b9b98.jpg
“…
SubaruDatsun owners will tell you they’ve been doing this for years.”https://www.nissan-global.com/EN/HERITAGE/img/modelDetail/uploader/data/en/Web/1317190925036003186.jpg
Perhaps the origin of the term relates to the Safari Rally? 1971 240Z winner here.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/36a60ef4cc5c6d5ae2b0fcb1a75e7fc618fc00dfe1d4e77ad5a66b022091f7ca.jpg
Yes — that’s where the term comes from.
(And Mitsubishi owners;
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c7/61/2d/c7612dbadd852d985a058b0269d4bbf6.jpg
(And Toyota owners;
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8660/16059433464_20eb6b04a9_b.jpg
(And Mazda owners;
http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/xSM80263_Mazda-Capella-RX2-640×427.jpg.pagespeed.ic.m2Ow4XelBe.jpg
And DAF owners: http://www.rallydaf.nl/rally/55-%20135.jpg (they even named a trim line after their success in the Marathon Rally)
http://www.rallydaf.nl/rally/55-%20136.jpg http://www.rallydaf.nl/rally/55-%20230.jpg http://www.rallydaf.nl/DAF%2055.html
Swing-arm suspension can make life exciting: http://www.rallydaf.nl/rally/55-%20101.jpg http://www.rallydaf.nl/rally/55-%20102.jpg http://www.rallydaf.nl/rally/55-%20103.jpg
Going offroad?
You’ll need AWD then.
I have just the vehicle required.
https://cmzone-vzbqbxhynotw9ion96xv.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Bentley-Continental-GT-Rally-Edition-4.jpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_V0NL_Bwb0
Or maybe you don’t need AWD, just the exhaust protected from damage by routing over the roof.
http://aws-cf.caradisiac.com/prod/mesimages/590458/World%20Cup%20Rally%2070%20ROLLS%20ROYCE%20Silver%20Shadow%20Richards%20Bengry%20Skeffington.jpg
1970 World Cup Rally!
On the other hand you could just use a Peugeot and run it virtually standard… I can’t resist including this 404 Coupe too.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/3f6b265b930fd34288daf2fea33d6234eeac6241bd6ad89582083986e7481736.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/bc2d2d5373593e4b55b2b4b0edf02156c0ee9c85e72f4469366138b33e291cdf.jpg
Or get a Dangel’d version
https://manofmany.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Peugeot-Break-4×4-Dangel-7.jpg
Not exactly athletic though, is it? Needs a wider track.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/752b39d665721d76cf8a45dacad3a063acca5679577ff3aed68747fc475ededc.jpg
Excellent nomination – one of the Holden Overlanders built by Arthur Hayward
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a6cbb8b1788afa36cbd7eb2c17a0ae904f138f804ebcf420ad48b3f18f9e194c.jpg
What kind of fuel does this run on? Testosterone?
A first gen Chevy Corvair. If a totally stock version can tackle the Darien Gap, then a Safari-ized version should tackle anything.
I too thought the Corvair would be capable, but that’s amazing.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/91b3ea28c8830dfe493968fcf247d2b382608e0b77adc940c1e28a0bc6280ed2.jpg
If you’re going to go off-road, you’ll want something that won’t easily break down. Hence a Honda…
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7c/b4/34/7cb43443e68eee0fd950a024eebc05e7.jpg
Volvo 940
http://www.roadkill.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/1993-Volvo-940-Turbo-Prerunner-feature-photo-Roadkill00028.jpg
http://www.roadkill.com/turbo-volvo-pre-runner-kicks-sand-eats-wash/
An R107 SL wouldn’t be too far-fetched, since Mercedes planned a full WRC (they even got as far as signing Ari Vatanen and Walter Röhrl) assault before top management and their head of motorsports clashed over the budget and the program was canned.
https://media.daimler.com/marsMediaSite/scr/cache/7592439v-2tv3/Mercedes-Benz-Classic-mit-500-SL-Rallye-beim-ADAC-Eifel-Rallye-Festival-2013.jpg