Porsche
953 (911 4x4 Paris–Dakar)

Why it matters

The Type 953 was the 1984 Paris-Dakar version of the 911 with part-time all-wheel drive. It took Porsche's first overall win in the rally and its experience led directly to the 959. It marks the start of all-wheel drive in the 911 line.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The project came from Jacky Ickx's idea of entering the Paris-Dakar rally. Development chief Helmuth Bott approved it, Ickx won Rothmans as sponsor, and three 911 Carrera 3.2 cars with all-wheel drive and rally upgrades were prepared for the 1984 event. The official designation was Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 4x4 Paris-Dakar; internally it was the 953.

René Metge and Dominique Lemoyne won overall. Ickx, who lost time with a breakdown after a rock impact, climbed from 139th to 6th place. Porsche's press kit says the third car, driven by the project manager, finished 26th and won the team classification, whereas RM Sotheby's says it came 17th.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The official type designation was Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 4x4 Paris-Dakar, with the internal name 953. A lever on the centre console locked the differential between the rear and front axles. The cars were several hundred kilograms lighter than the big all-terrain vehicles. RM Sotheby's says the cars used aluminium doors and deck lids and plexiglass windows for weight saving and calls them 911 SC RS based; Porsche's press kit calls them 911 Carrera 3.2 based.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Guide: Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera 4x4 Paris-Dakar (953) - a Historical & Technical Appraisal Level B Supercar Nostalgia

   • A trio of these cars were assembled
   • The Type 930/20 Flat 6 used in the 911 Carrera
   • Displacement was 3164cc
   • bore and stroke of 95mm and 74.4mm
   • reduced compression ratio (9.0:1 instead of 10.3:1)
   • single overhead camshafts, two valves per cylinder and dry-sump lubrication
   • Bosch Motronic 2 ... Bosch LE-Jetronic fuel-injection
   • peak output was 225bhp at 5800rpm
   • 203lb-ft at 4700rpm
   • 31:69 torque split ... manually locking centre differential
   • five-speed Type 915 gearbox
   • new double wishbone arrangement with two Bilstein dampers on each side
   • reinforced axle with semi-trailing arms and a single coil-over shock per side
   • 304mm diameter at the front ... 309mm diameter at the rear
   • tipped the scales at 1210kg
   • geared for about 120mph
   • 120-litre unit under the front lid ... 150-litre tank behind the driver

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Porsche 911 Dakar press kit (history of the 953/959) Level A Porsche Newsroom

   • three Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 cars with all-wheel drive and numerous rally upgrades were fitted out
   • the boxer engine delivered 165 kW (225 PS)

   Accessed 2026-11-12
3. 3
   Porsche Newsroom – 911 Dakar press kit: The history Level A

   • 3 911 Carrera 3.2 4x4 cars fitted out for the 1984 Paris–Dakar

   Accessed 2026-11-12
4. 4
   From the Lohner-Porsche to the 911 Turbo (all-wheel-drive milestones) Level A Porsche Newsroom · 2018-03-14

   • Type 953 with part time all-wheel drive

   Accessed 2026-11-12