Design on the Edge: The One-Off Porsche 963 RSP Hits the Streets
As Porsche fans and race teams gather for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a head-turning anomaly rolled through the French countryside: a street-legal, one-of-a-kind Porsche 963 RSP — a design homage that merges past and present with breathtaking precision.
Unveiled alongside its inspiration, the Count Rossi 917, this bespoke hypercar celebrates 50 years since the iconic 917 made its audacious trip from Zuffenhausen to Paris… on public roads. With that spirit in mind, the new 963 RSP does more than reference the past — it rewrites what it means to be a race car for the road.
A Tribute Born from Passion
The 963 RSP was conceived in collaboration between Porsche AG, Porsche Penske Motorsport, and Porsche Cars North America, with the guiding vision of motorsport legend Roger Penske — whose initials name the car. The goal: create a 963 that channels the essence of the 917 driven through Europe in 1975, with as few changes from the original racer as possible.
This wasn’t just a styling exercise. The RSP retains the DNA of the Le Mans-winning 963 LMDh platform, but reimagined for the street through an obsessive process led by the Sonderwunsch team at Porsche and Style Porsche under Grant Larson.
Design: Where Race Meets Refinement
From a distance, the 963 RSP looks familiar. But close inspection reveals carefully measured updates:
- Martini Silver paint — not a wrap — coats the carbon/Kevlar body. Applying paint to ultra-thin composite surfaces was itself a feat.
- Closed wheel arches, bespoke fender vents, and removed rear wing blanking plates nod to the 917 silhouette.
- Enamel Porsche badge on the nose replaces the usual race graphic.
- Period-style Michelin logos adorn wet-spec OZ racing wheels with road-use tires.
The final result blends the menacing presence of a prototype racer with the finish quality of a show car — all while staying 100% functional.
Inside: Track Soul, Road Comfort
Open the door and you’re greeted by… tan leather and Alcantara. This is not your average LMP cockpit. The single-piece carbon seat is trimmed with soft inserts, and air conditioning remains standard — as in the competition car.
From the 3D-printed detachable cupholder to a leather-wrapped steering wheel and bespoke headset storage panel, the RSP’s cabin echoes the handbuilt refinement of Count Rossi’s 917. Even the roof liner and footwells received attention, wrapped in premium textiles rarely seen in endurance machines.
Everywhere, subtle nods to the past — including ventilation endplates styled after the 917’s flat-12 fan — remind you this is not just a replica; it’s a bridge between eras.
Mechanical Tweaks for Road Legality
While the hybrid V8 powertrain (derived from the 918 Spyder’s engine) remains unchanged, several clever modifications allow the 963 RSP to be road-drivable in France under special provisions:
- Raised ride height and softened Multimatic dampers
- Functional headlights, taillights, horn, and turn signals
- Reprogrammed control unit for road behavior
- Custom license plate mounts front and rear
The MGU (Motor Generator Unit) and 800V battery system remain intact, offering brief electric-only operation while preserving the full 680 hp hybrid punch.
The Accessories: More Than a Car
True to the Sonderwunsch philosophy, the 963 RSP ships with matching accessories:
- A bespoke crash helmet in Martini Silver
- Snap-On tool chest trimmed in interior-matching leather
- Foam inserts and commemorative plaques throughout
All hint at a level of personalization and narrative design rarely seen outside concept cars — yet the RSP is fully functional, road-driven, and on display during this year’s Le Mans weekend.
The Verdict: A Masterclass in Emotional Engineering
The 963 RSP isn’t a homologated street car. It won’t go into production. But for the car design world, it’s a benchmark — a celebration of heritage-driven innovation, and a bold reminder that design can be emotional, rebellious, and reverent all at once.
It’s also proof that with the right people in the room — Penske, Resch, Laudenbach, Kuratle — a “what if?” can become a rolling work of art.
Catch it next at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.
