For Peter van der Spuy, performance and precision are not just passions; they are a way of life. Whether in the cockpit of a Gulfstream jet or behind the wheel of a Porsche 911, he has dedicated over three decades to pursuing speed, precision, and engineering excellence.
“In my opinion, I fly the best aircraft in the world and drive the best-built car in the world,” he stated. “While a Gulfstream jet is often viewed as one of the most reliable business jets globally, I believe Porsche holds a similar place on the road in terms of quality and performance.”
A recently formed company called Safari Projekt has designed and developed a conversion package to transform Porsche 911s into Safari-type rally cars suitable for both on-road and off-road use. Van der Spuy contracted them to convert his Porsche 996 Turbo into a dual-purpose vehicle designed for both on-road and off-road rally adventures. “I was excited to have my 996 Turbo rebuilt and converted by Safari to reflect these Dakar rally-type inspired qualities,” he noted.
The conversion process is no small feat. “The conversion costs between 800,000 and 1.5 million South African Rands, which includes extensive upgrades to the suspension, bodywork, tires, shocks, interior bucket seats, Apple CarPlay, roof rack, spare tire, and more,” he explained. “Donor cars typically range from 500,000 to 1 million Rand.”
One of van der Spuy’s recent off-road adventures with his Porsche Safari 996 Turbo made headlines. “My 996 Turbo was the first conversion undertaken into a Safari-type vehicle by Safari Projekt, requiring significant development work to ensure the turbocharging system was suitable for this transformation. The main challenges involved engine cooling and airflow management, but now it performs like a new hybrid Porsche supercar capable of both road and off-road driving.”
As a pure road-going supercar, this 996 Turbo can nearly reach 320 km/h when driven by a 3.6-liter flat-six turbocharged engine. However, after the Safari-type conversion, its top speed is now limited to somewhere in the region of 230 to 240 km/h, mainly due to the restrictions imposed by the full-blown off-road rally tires.
His appetite for adventure has led him to dream of being the first person to drive a Porsche 911 through Botswana’s northern Okavango Delta, including traversing the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. He aims to etch his name in the unofficial record books as the driver of the furthest-travelled Porsche 911 across these remarkable terrains, which are some of the largest salt pans in the world. “When I’m on gravel roads, this car kicks up enormous clouds of dust, and it handles the off-road conditions extremely well,” he shared. “At 22 years old, it’s astonishing to find a car in such pristine condition.”
Van der Spuy doesn’t just build these remarkable cars; he loves to develop and race all types of race vehicles. For over 15 years, he has been a fixture on the South African racing circuit, competing in endurance events and extreme sports races. “I’ve been driving and owning Porsches for over 30 years now,” he said with a smile, “and I’ve spent a considerable period of time racing them in the last 15 years.”
His professional life has been as notable as his racing career. As a Gulfstream pilot, he has flown influential business magnates, industry leaders, and rock stars. “I’ve flown about ten different presidents in my time,” he stated, mentioning Nelson Mandela as one of his notable passengers. He has also flown some of the world’s most recognized celebrities, including Steven Tyler from Aerosmith during the band’s Nine Lives tour across America.
This connection between aviation and Porsche has even caught the attention of the manufacturers in Stuttgart. For Nelson Mandela’s centenary, Porsche featured van der Spuy in Christophorus magazine, highlighting the pilot who once flew Mandela and now drives a remarkable Porsche 911.
While brands like Bugatti, McLaren, and Ferrari produce cars with exorbitant price tags and high maintenance costs, van der Spuy believes Porsche stands out for its performance, usability, and value. “Porsche delivers one of the best cars ever built for the money, fast and easy to maintain with minimal upkeep. Just like the Gulfstream jet, they are incredibly well-built and reliable, making them an excellent combination.”
From Camel Trophy-inspired conversions to the expansive beauty of the Makgadikgadi Pans, Peter van der Spuy has truly lived life at full throttle. “Flying the best-built jet in my opinion and driving the best car in my opinion is a dream that not many get to live,” he reflected.
