Porsche has stunned the automotive world by unveiling the 963 RSP, a road-legal hypercar built directly from the foundations of its Le Mans-winning 963 LMDh racer. Blending the extreme performance of World Endurance Championship machinery with just enough on-road usability, the 963 RSP isn’t simply a concept or a tribute—it’s a living, breathing race car for the streets.
This one-off creation is not just a celebration of Porsche’s motorsport success but a direct homage to one of the brand’s most legendary customer commissions: the road-legal Porsche 917 built in 1975 for Count Gregorio Rossi di Montelera. With this modern successor, Porsche reawakens that legacy, fifty years later, in stunning style.
While the 963 RSP shares nearly all of its core components with the factory 963 LMDh prototype currently competing in the WEC and IMSA championships, it was developed from scratch as a road car under Porsche’s Sonderwunsch bespoke programme, based in Atlanta.
Unlike the original Rossi 917, which was adapted from a racing car after competition, the 963 RSP was purpose-built for road homologation. The moniker “RSP” refers to Roger Searle Penske, the influential figure behind Porsche’s endurance racing programme in the United States and the man who commissioned the car.
The end result is not simply a track-focused supercar. It is the closest thing to a road-going Le Mans car that Porsche has ever produced.
The 963 RSP doesn’t shy away from its race car roots. The bodywork remains true to the LMDh racer, with only minimal adjustments to meet road legality. Finished in a satin silver paint scheme inspired by the Martini-liveried 917, the car looks like it belongs as much at the Goodwood paddock as it does on the grid at La Sarthe.
Subtle changes include integrated indicators, a road-legal number plate bracket, and revised wheel arch vents to prevent debris from being thrown backwards. The ride height has been raised slightly for road use, and wet-weather Michelin tyres replace the race slicks.
Even with those changes, the 963 RSP’s silhouette is unmistakably one of endurance racing. The massive rear wing, sculpted diffuser, and race-ready cockpit remain intact. It was recently seen driving through the streets of Le Mans alongside an original Porsche 917—a moment that perfectly symbolised Porsche’s heritage and innovation, side by side.
Under the rear engine cover sits a 4.6-litre twin-turbocharged V8, derived from the unit used in the Porsche 918 Spyder and refined for hybrid endurance use. This powerplant is combined with an advanced hybrid system, developed for the demands of WEC competition, producing a total output of around 671 horsepower.
Though Porsche has not published official road performance figures, the race-going 963 can sprint from 0–62mph in around three seconds, with a top speed exceeding 205mph. The RSP is likely to match or even exceed those numbers, making it one of the fastest Porsches ever built for the road.
Power is delivered through an advanced drivetrain, featuring a dual-clutch transmission and torque vectoring. A bespoke control setup has been implemented to ensure the car remains road compliant while still delivering the visceral, high-revving performance one would expect from a car born at Le Mans.
Inside, the cabin remains brutally focused—almost spartan in its commitment to function. A racing-style steering wheel dominates the space, complete with switchgear and digital displays. The cockpit is wrapped in tan leather upholstery, mirroring the interior of Rossi’s 917. It’s an unexpected but tasteful blend of motorsport austerity and old-world luxury.
There’s a single concession to everyday convenience: a cupholder. This replaces the race car’s integrated hydration system, ensuring that even a Le Mans prototype has room for a little comfort. And while the vehicle is technically road-legal in certain countries, it still requires a laptop to start—just one of the many reminders that this is no ordinary supercar.
The 963 RSP is, for now, a one-off. Porsche has confirmed it has no plans for mass production. However, officials have hinted that if another discerning collector with the right vision (and budget) approached them, another build might not be out of the question.
The estimated cost is reported to be in the region of €5 million, a figure that reflects not just the engineering complexity of the project but the sheer level of hand-built customisation that went into its creation. From the Martini-inspired paint to the high-downforce aero and road conversion elements, every detail has been purposefully executed.
The 963 RSP will make its official UK public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where fans will get a chance to see the machine in motion outside the confines of a racetrack. Its appearance there is expected to be one of the standout moments of this year’s event.
In an automotive era rapidly shifting toward electrification and digital autonomy, the 963 RSP stands out as a powerful reminder of Porsche’s motorsport essence. It’s a car that connects two worlds: the full-throttle thrill of endurance racing and the rarefied reality of road-legal hypercars.
More than a collector’s item or PR exercise, the Porsche 963 RSP is a moving homage to competition history—yet it hints at future possibilities too. It shows that even with the most extreme racing hardware, Porsche remains willing to innovate, adapt, and imagine what’s possible beyond the track.
Whether or not more 963 RSPs follow, this singular creation marks a new chapter in Porsche’s story: one where ultimate performance and legacy craftsmanship can share the same tarmac.
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