Is the Porsche from the 24 Hours of Le Mans street-legal?

Porsche hints that a road-legal version of its 963 Hypercar, entered in WEC and IMSA, could soon be developed.

This announcement comes as the brand celebrates a unique model from its past: a Porsche 917 transformed for road use in 1975. The German manufacturer refers to a tribute to a key moment in its history. On April 28, 1975, the Porsche 917 chassis 30, one of only two versions adapted for the road, left the Weissach factory. Originally designed for endurance racing, this car was modified at the request of Teofilo Guiscardo Rossi di Montelera, better known as Count Rossi. He challenged Porsche to homologate the 917 for everyday use.

The modifications included rudimentary silencers, side mirrors, turn signals, a horn, and even a spare wheel under the rear shell. The interior was transformed for greater comfort, featuring beige leather seats signed by Hermès, with a dashboard and ceiling in suede cloth.

Initially registered in the United States, the car now bears British plates and resides in the south of France. Still dressed in its silver Martini livery, it remains fully homologated for daily errands.

A “Road Legal” Hypercar

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this unique achievement, Porsche released a video posing an intriguing question: “What if?”. This message is accompanied by a sneak peek of a modern race car steering wheel and the silhouette of a 963 prototype, suggesting that a homologated version could soon be revealed.

Most likely, this exclusive model, planned for June, will coincide with the celebrations of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. If the road-going 963 follows in the footsteps of the 917 chassis 30, it could become a one-of-a-kind piece of immense value. One thing is certain: Porsche continues to push the boundaries of innovation, blending its rich history with futuristic ambitions.

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