Porsche creates a one-off 963 RSP based on its prototype racecar

Porsche has revealed a one-of-a-kind version of its 963 race car, named the 963 RSP, on the streets near the Circuit de la Sarthe ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Created through a collaboration between Porsche AG, Porsche Penske Motorsport, and Porsche Cars North America, the car pays tribute to the legendary 917 and a unique drive across France in 1975.

The 963 RSP echoes the legacy of a 917 race car once driven on public roads from Porsche’s Zuffenhausen factory to Paris in April 1975. That journey was made in chassis 030 by Count Gregorio Rossi di Montelera, who famously insisted on keeping the car as close to its race configuration as possible.

The new 963 RSP takes cues from that same philosophy. “This started as a ‘what if?’ project – a passion project that became a real car,” said Timo Resch, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. “Like the original 917, the 963 RSP is a true race car, adapted just enough for the road.”

The 963 RSP is based on Porsche’s current IMSA and WEC championship-contending 963 prototype but incorporates numerous bespoke changes. Finished in Martini Silver, it features painted bodywork rather than the standard race wrap — a first for the 963 — and subtle styling updates to mirror the original Count Rossi 917. The car also includes a tan leather and Alcantara interior that nods to the materials used in the 1975 car.

Exterior modifications include enclosed fender vents, removed carbon wing blanking plates, and a traditional enamel Porsche crest. Rain-spec Michelin tires with retro-styled logos cover 18-inch forged OZ Racing wheels. License plate mounts and a horn were also fitted to comply with French regulations under a special waiver, with support from the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO).

For its debut, the 963 RSP was driven on public roads near Le Mans, accompanied by the original 917 “Kurzheck.” Timo Bernhard, who handled the drive, called it a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.” Modifications such as softened dampers, raised ride height, and reprogrammed lights made the car street-legal under French manufacturer license plates.

Unlike the stripped-down race car, the interior of the 963 RSP is more refined. The single carbon seat has been upholstered in leather with cushioning, and air conditioning is retained. Additional trim panels house items like a Porsche travel mug holder and a laptop platform for car diagnostics. Ventilation details subtly reference the 917’s flat-12 engine fan design.

The 963 RSP retains the race car’s 4.6-liter twin-turbocharged V8 hybrid powertrain. Derived from the RS Spyder and later used in the 918 Spyder, the engine is tuned to run on pump fuel and mapped for smoother road performance. The hybrid system includes a Bosch MGU and Williams Advanced Engineering battery, providing an electric boost of up to 50 kW.

The suspension uses Multimatic DSSV dampers set to their softest setting, and the electronics were updated for road-legal lighting and signals.

Roger Penske, whose initials form the car’s name, played a key role in the project’s development. “We wanted something authentic,” Penske said. “This car had to honor the spirit of the 917 while pushing the limits of what a modern race car could become on the road.”

The 963 RSP will be displayed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans before heading to the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. It will also be shown at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July alongside the original 917.

Despite its road capability, the 963 RSP is a one-off creation and will not enter production. It remains a celebration of engineering, design, and Porsche’s racing legacy — a modern tribute to one of the most storied moments in motorsport history.