Porsche unveils the 963 RSP, a civilian hypercar tribute to two legends

This Porsche 963 RSP, a unique creation, is inspired by one of the greatest icons of endurance, the 917 “Count Rossi”.

To understand the inspiration that led to the birth of the 963 RSP, let’s go back to April 1975. Count Gregorio Rossi di Montelera, an Italian businessman and great enthusiast of the brand, decided to take the wheel of his Porsche 917, chassis 030, almost unchanged from its racing version, to travel the roads of Europe. From the factory in Zuffenhausen, where the car had been civilized, to Paris, the Count embarked on one of the most beautiful road trips in history, driving what was then the most advanced endurance prototype in the world.

This crazy challenge of driving a car designed for Le Mans among trucks and passenger cars has become a cult anecdote among enthusiasts. Nicknamed “Count Rossi”, this registered 917 still circulates today and embodies the pioneering spirit of the early days of modern endurance.

It is from this legend that the 963 RSP draws inspiration, but it also pays homage to a legend of motorsport. The project was initiated by Timo Resch, president of Porsche Cars North America, and quickly caught the attention of Roger Penske, founder of the famous American racing team bearing his name. A former driver, notably participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1963, who became a billionaire builder of a motorsport empire, Penske has a long-standing relationship with Porsche. In the 1970s, his team notably triumphed with the monstrous 917/10 and 917/30 in Can-Am, before fielding the RS Spyder in the mid-2000s.

Porsche rewrites its own history

Today, Team Penske is the official Porsche team in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and IMSA, fielding the Hypercar 963. A true living legend, Roger Searle Penske remains at 87 a central figure in the ongoing history of the German manufacturer. It is therefore naturally that the 963 RSP bears his initials, but it is also a nod to the history of the German brand as some racing Porsches have carried the name RSP for “Rennsport Prototype.”

Technically, the 963 RSP is directly derived from the endurance hypercar 963. It retains the 4.6-liter twin-turbo hybrid V8 developing nearly 680 horsepower in this civilian version. This engine is the direct descendant of the block designed for the RS Spyder prototype and the hybrid powertrain of the 918 Spyder supercar.

However, to make the car usable on open roads, numerous adjustments have been necessary: increased ground clearance, softened suspensions, modification of control units to activate turn signals, lights, and horn, all while preserving the competitive DNA of the model. The car has been authorized to drive on the road thanks to a special certification from the French authorities and the support of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest.

A wish come true

The style, the fruit of the Sonderwunsch (“special wish”) program, pays homage to the style of the 917 Count Rossi. The “Martini Silver” paint applied to the carbon body is faithful to that of 1975. The faired wings, period Michelin logos, the enameled Porsche badge, and the OZ wheels directly evoke the prototypes of the past.

The completely redesigned interior combines beige leather and Alcantara, in a style that is both retro and refined. While the base remains a racing cockpit, there are now unexpected details such as climate-controlled seats, customized storage, a matching tool kit, and even a 3D-printed cup holder.

It was Timo Bernhard, a three-time Le Mans winner, who had the honor of driving the 963 RSP for its first public kilometers, alongside the authentic 917 Count Rossi. “It was unreal,” he confides. “A unique experience. The behavior of the car remained faithful to the original 963, but softer, more welcoming.”

Not homologated for series production, the Porsche 963 RSP is not intended to join a commercial range. After its presentation in the heart of the famous Le Mans circuit, it will join the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, before being showcased at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, where it will reunite with its muse: the 917 Count Rossi.

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