Safari Porsche 928 Build Is Straight Out of a Surfer's Dream

From the Hel Peninsula to the shores of Sylt and Rømø, this Porsche 928 ‘Surfari’ has redefined what it means to be a beach cruiser.

By Verdad Gallardo - July 26, 2024
Safari Porsche 928 Build Is Straight Out of a Surfer's Dream
Safari Porsche 928 Build Is Straight Out of a Surfer's Dream
Safari Porsche 928 Build Is Straight Out of a Surfer's Dream
Safari Porsche 928 Build Is Straight Out of a Surfer's Dream
Safari Porsche 928 Build Is Straight Out of a Surfer's Dream
Safari Porsche 928 Build Is Straight Out of a Surfer's Dream

A Unique Surfing Destination

Poland’s Baltic coast may not be synonymous with surfing, yet the Hel Peninsula boasts a vibrant surfing community. The Chałupy 6 campsite, run by Tadeusz Elwart, is at the heart of this community. Here, Tadeusz and his father cultivated a love for Porsches, leading to the creation of a unique project: the Porsche 928 ‘Surfari.’ This vehicle was designed to meet the needs of surfers and car enthusiasts alike.

Birth of the 928 'Surfari'

The idea for the Porsche 928 ‘Surfari’ was born from the growing success of the Hel Riders festival, an event blending cool cars, skateboarding, and surfing. Tadeusz Elwart, inspired by his father’s passion for Porsches, saw the potential to create a vehicle that could handle off-road conditions and transport surfers directly to the waves. The 928, with its V8 engine, was an ideal starting point for this ambitious project.

Engineering Challenges

Transforming the Porsche 928 into an off-road surf car presented significant engineering challenges. Tomasz Staniszewski, an accomplished engineer and rally driver who completed the Classic Dakar Rally in a Porsche 924, took on the project. Adapting the gearbox, suspension, and differential to handle sandy terrains was no easy feat, but Staniszewski's expertise ensured the 928 could perform both on the road and the beach.

Design and Styling

The exterior design of the 928 ‘Surfari’ was entrusted to Lange & Lange, a Warsaw-based design group known for their creativity and attention to detail. The twins, who had been part of the Chałupy 6 community for years, crafted a distinctive look for the car. Featuring flared wheel arches and beefy all-terrain tires, the 928 not only performs well but also looks the part of a rugged surf vehicle.

Hitting the Road and Beyond

After its debut at the Hel Riders festival, the Porsche 928 ‘Surfari’ embarked on an epic road trip. It traveled to Sylt, Germany, for the Petro-Surf air-cooled Porsche festival, and then on to Rømø in Denmark. These destinations provided the perfect backdrop to test the 928’s capabilities and solidify its status as a symbol of the surfing subculture.

A New Chapter for Surf and Car Enthusiasts

The Porsche 928 ‘Surfari’ is more than just a car; it represents the fusion of automotive engineering and the surfing lifestyle. With each wave and road trip, it continues to inspire and unite a community of enthusiasts. As Tadeusz Elwart and the Hel Riders team look to the future, the 928 ‘Surfari’ stands as a testament to creativity, passion, and the pursuit of adventure.

>>Join the conversation about this 928 Safari right here at Rennlist.com.

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

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