A Family Affair: Hadi Al Hussaini’s Bespoke Porsche 911 Dakar

A Family Affair: Hadi Al Hussaini’s Sonderwunsch 911 Dakar

Childhood memories often leave an indelible mark on a person’s journey. For Emirati car enthusiast Hadi Al Hussaini, the strongest ones came from weekends spent exploring the vast deserts of the UAE with his father. The smell of sand, the thrill of off-roading, and the spectacle of new cars in the showrooms after Friday prayers became the seeds of a lifelong passion.

“My father, God bless him, always took us off-roading in the desert and this is where I discovered my passion for cars,” Al Hussaini recalls. “Driving in the desert is akin to learning a new language. Reading the terrain is a skill, and you never know what’s beyond the dune.”

It wasn’t just the desert that stirred his imagination. During the 1980s, Porsche was making waves not only at Le Mans but also in the unforgiving world of desert rallying. From the 911 SC RS to the legendary 959, Porsche’s Dakar victories captured the hearts of motorsport fans across the Middle East. For Hadi, watching Qatari driver Saeed Al-Hajri storm to victory in the 1985 Pharaohs Rally cemented a dream: one day, he would create his own homage to Porsche’s desert-racing icons.

From Dream to Reality

Fast forward to Icons of Porsche 2022 in Dubai, where the 911 Dakar made its regional premiere. For Hadi, it was the spark that turned fantasy into reality. Working hand-in-hand with Porsche AG’s Sonderwunsch program – meaning “special request” in German – he began crafting a bespoke 911 Dakar that was more than a car. It would be a tribute to his father, a celebration of his desert heritage, and an inspiration for his son, Abdulla.

“Owning a Porsche has been a lifelong aspiration. Designing it collaboratively with my loved ones made it even more meaningful,” he says. “Now, my son Abdulla and I are dedicated followers of the Dakar Rally. To us, it’s more than just a race – it’s part of our story.”

Designing the Desert

Hadi wanted the 911 Dakar to reflect the UAE’s landscapes. For the interior, he chose Cohiba Brown leather paired with a newly developed tricolored Tartan fabric in Truffle. The seat centers and door panels were finished in a Brown-Cognac-Aurum combination, inspired by the different shades of desert sands – especially the rich tones after rain. “The desert is more than just sand dunes,” he says. “It holds beautiful memories, layers of experience, and warmth – I wanted the car to show that.”

To bring further depth, wood trim was added, balancing rugged authenticity with elegance. The result is a cabin equally at home on a desert adventure or parked in the heart of Dubai.

For the exterior, Hadi turned to history. He chose Aetna Blue (Y31), a Paint-to-Sample color once offered on the Porsche 356. Subtle yet rich, it echoes the hue of petrol and pays homage to Porsche’s rallying past while feeling timeless and sophisticated.

Passing the Torch

For Hadi, the Sonderwunsch 911 Dakar is more than an object – it’s a family legacy. His son Abdulla was involved in every step of the design, from material choices to color palettes. “Travelling to Zuffenhausen with my family and letting Abdulla help create the car was even more important than the car itself,” he says.

That personal touch mirrors the broader purpose of the Sonderwunsch program: to help customers express individuality, heritage, and dreams through their Porsche.

Now, as one of the organizers of the modern Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, Hadi’s journey has come full circle. From childhood memories in the UAE desert to building a car that embodies those experiences, he now inspires his own son to embrace the same passion.

“The Dakar has always been a big event for me. Organizing it in Saudi Arabia gives me great pride, not just personally, but as an Arab. Hopefully, one day Abdulla will drive our 911 Dakar in the rally – and I’ll be his co-driver.”

Conclusion

The story of Hadi Al Hussaini’s Sonderwunsch 911 Dakar is more than a tale of bespoke design – it’s about heritage, memory, and family legacy. Through Porsche’s unique customization program, he has created a car that bridges generations, honors the desert, and continues to inspire.

For enthusiasts in Dubai and across the UAE, stories like Hadi’s reflect the deep cultural connection between cars, motorsport, and family traditions – a passion that also fuels the growing used car market in Dubai. Discover more about unique automotive stories and explore a wide selection of vehicles at Auto Trader UAE, the trusted destination for used cars in Dubai.