Porsche 963 RSP
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Count Rossi’s 917
Count Rossi’s 917, which was driven on public roads from Germany to France in April 1974, has been perfectly reproduced based on the latest racing car, the 963.
Porsche has announced the 963 RSP, a road-legal sister car to the 963, ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Round 4 of the WEC, which will be held from June 14th to 15th. Co-developed by Porsche AG, Porsche Penske Motorsport, and Porsche Cars North America, the car recreates the design of the road-legal Porsche 917, which debuted 50 years ago. The “RSP” name in the car’s name is the initials of Roger Searle Penske, a legendary motorsports driver.
In April 1975, the latest endurance racing car, the 917 (chassis number 30), took to the roads. The 917, which left the factory in Zuffenhausen, Germany, for Paris, was driven by an anonymous owner at the time. Count Rossi, who inherited the Martini & Rossi distillery, insisted that as few changes be made to the car as possible.
Timo Loesch, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, had this to say about the special 917-recreated 963 RSP:
“The 963 RSP is a passion project by a small team of enthusiasts from Penske and Porsche. They have recreated as faithfully as possible the exterior and spirit of Count Rossi’s 917. Even though the legendary 917 drove on public roads, it was a race car through and through. We’ve taken the same approach with the 963 RSP, incorporating the highest quality, beautiful materials, but at its core it’s a true race car.”
Various components changed for road use
Based on the 963 racing car, in addition to complying with traffic regulations, the suspension has also been made softer.
The 963 RSP has been significantly modified from the base 963 for road use. The bodywork, which combines carbon fiber and Kevlar, is painted rather than cut with a sheet. Inspired by Count Rossi’s 917, the exterior color is Martini Silver, and the cockpit is a combination of tan leather and Alcantara.
It is equipped with a 4.6-liter V8 twin-turbo hybrid powertrain that produces a maximum output of 680 PS. For road use, the vehicle height has been raised and the damper setup has been softened. A dedicated electronic setup has also been introduced to accommodate the public roads around Le Mans (the public road section of the Circuit de la Sarthe). In addition, adjustments have been made to the programs of the headlight and taillight control units to comply with traffic regulations.
The bodywork also includes a new wheel arch cover shape, Michelin wet compound tires, and a horn mechanism.
Tan leather and Alcantara cockpit
The interior is also inspired by Count Rossi’s 917 and is finished in beautiful tan leather and Alcantara.
The 963 RSP’s cockpit is clad in soft tan leather and Alcantara, echoing the handmade, bespoke interior of the 917. Single-piece carbon fiber seats with leather trim feature soft cushions in the centres, and fixed headrests are attached to the carbon fibre bulkheads.
The seats are air-conditioned, just like the race version. The leg cushions, roof lining, and pillars are made of bright Alcantara. The steering wheel retains its racing car features and is finished in leather. A removable 3D-printed cup holder that can hold an official Porsche travel mug has also been added.
A new trim panel next to the driver’s seat provides a place for the Peltor headset and steering wheel when not in use, a laptop to assist with starting and operating the car, and a custom Penske carbon fiber helmet.
It also incorporates a special ventilation system that replicates the upper fan of the 917-inspired 12-cylinder boxer engine. The doors are finished in leather and Alcantara, and are equipped with alloy plates engraved with the chassis number, production date and location.
Bernhard takes first drive
The first public road drive took place at the Circuit de la Sarthe and was driven by Timo Bernhard, who has extensive experience driving Porsche racing cars.
The 963 RSP meets all the requirements for driving on public roads and is fitted with a license plate specially approved by the French authorities. With the support of the ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest), which organises the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the car was able to drive on public roads, including the Circuit de la Sarthe.
Timo Bernhard, who took the 963 RSP for the first time alongside Count Rossi’s 917, commented that it was an “unforgettable experience.”
“Driving on a public road with Count Rossi’s 917 beside me… it was a truly strange feeling, as if this was really happening in real life. The 963 RSP’s handling was perfect. However, it felt friendlier and calmer than the 963 on which it was based. The lack of racing safety devices made it more comfortable than usual, and it was a special experience.”
The 963 RSP will be unveiled to the public at the Circuit de la Sarthe during the 24 Hours of Le Mans, before returning to Stuttgart to be exhibited at the Porsche Museum and, in July 2025, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, alongside Count Rossi’s 917.
