Photo credit: Porsche
Porsche has revealed a one-off model called the 963 RSP ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This special vehicle pays tribute to a 917 that once drove from Zuffenhausen to Paris on public roads in April 1975. Developed by Porsche AG, Porsche Penske Motorsport and Porsche Cars North America, and named in honor of motorsport legend Roger Penske, the 963 RSP follows the spirit and appearance of that trailblazing 917, which still resides in France.
Unveiled on streets near the Circuit de la Sarthe alongside the original 917, the 963 RSP combines bespoke bodywork and interior fittings with road-legal modifications. Its Martini silver paint honors the 917’s livery and presented a unique challenge on ultralight carbon fiber and Kevlar body panels. Exterior changes include custom fender vents that mirror the 917’s closed wheel arches, removal of standard rear wing blanking plates, an enamel Porsche badge on the nose and period-correct Michelin logos on forged OZ racing wheels. Mounting points for front and rear license plates allowed it to travel on public roads under special permission from French authorities and with support from the Automobile Club de l’Ouest.
Inside, the cockpit departs from the stripped-down race configuration. A handcrafted cabin features tan leather and Alcantara trim inspired by the 917’s bespoke interior. The single-piece carbon seat is trimmed in leather and equipped with air conditioning. Light-colored Alcantara lines the roof, pillars and footwell. A leather-wrapped steering wheel controls most vehicle functions. A 3D-printed cup holder and a custom panel for the Peltor headset and laptop add comfort and practicality. Subtle details, such as bespoke ventilation end plates that echo the 917’s engine fan and a door plaque indicating chassis number and build date, underscore the car’s unique character.
Mechanically, the 963 RSP retains the hybrid V8 powertrain found in competition 963 cars. The 4.6-liter twin-turbo engine pairs with a Bosch MGU and a Williams Advanced Engineering battery, and it has been tuned to run on pump gas. The ride height was raised to its maximum setting and Multimatic DSSV dampers were softened for road compliance. The control unit was reprogrammed to allow turn signals and road-spec headlights and the bodywork was modified to cover wheel arches and meet regulations. Rain-spec 18-inch Michelin tires completed the setup for its debut.
Photo credit: Porsche
“This project began as a simple ‘what if’ question,” said Timo Resch, president and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. He recalled how the concept team drew inspiration from the 917’s journey. Porsche factory driver Timo Bernhard, who drove the 963 RSP on its first public outing, described the experience as “unreal.” He praised its forgiving handling and comfort compared with a standard 963 race car. “Driving down a public road with a 917 beside me felt exceptional,” he added.
Roger Penske, chairman of Penske Corporation, highlighted the 917’s significance to Team Penske history and explained that the partnership with Porsche led to creating an authentic road-going racer. “I wanted this car to be true to its origin with minimal changes,” he said, emphasizing the project’s fidelity to the original 917 spirit.
The 963 RSP will be displayed at the Circuit de la Sarthe during the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Afterward, it will move to the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart and later appear alongside the 917 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. As a non-homologated one-off creation, it remains a tribute to Porsche’s racing heritage rather than a production model.