Porsche 963 RSP: All The Details

Porsche has created a one-of-a-kind version of its 963 LMDh race car that’s legal to drive on public roads.

Called the 963 RSP, the car is a tribute to the original road-going 917 made for Count Rossi in the 1970s, and it’s named after Roger S. Penske, who will eventually take delivery of the car after it completes a global tour.

The idea was born in October 2023, during a discussion among Porsche executives at Petit Le Mans. They wanted a way to commemorate 50 years since Count Rossi’s custom street-legal 917.

The 917, while a full Le Mans racer, was outfitted with interior trim and registered in Alabama. It became a road icon—if an unorthodox one. The same goes for the 963 RSP.

This new project, nicknamed a “submarine” effort inside Porsche for its secrecy, aimed to recapture that spirit without compromising the essence of the 963 race car. It was clear early on that full road homologation would be unfeasible. Instead, Porsche secured special permits for limited street use in select regions.

Unlike Rossi’s 917, the 963 RSP wasn’t a repurposed chassis. Porsche Motorsports built an all-new tub, which was shipped to Porsche Cars North America’s Atlanta headquarters for final assembly—hidden from the rest of the team behind temporary walls.

While race-spec 963s are purpose-built for function over form, the RSP gets hand-sanded and painted carbon body panels finished in Martini Silver.

Despite the road tweaks, the RSP stays true to its race roots. Power comes from a 4.6-liter twin-turbo V8 paired with a hybrid unit and sequential seven-speed transmission—mirroring the powertrain used in IMSA and WEC competition.

The V8 is derived from the Porsche 918 Spyder, which itself shares lineage with the RS Spyder LMP2 car.

The hybrid system was reprogrammed for smoother operation on the street, and the suspension has been softened slightly.

Michelin rain-spec tires and 18-inch OZ wheels remain, though Porsche raised the ride height to accommodate road use. New bodywork fills in the massive fender gaps typically required by racing regs.

Technically, the RSP is legal for road use in France under a special exemption typically granted to automakers testing prototypes.

The cabin receives tan Alcantara, subtle lighting enhancements, leather steering grips, and even a custom 3D-printed cup holder.

The car features a front and rear license plate bracket, turn signals, a horn, and other required equipment—but it still needs a laptop and trained crew to start. For Penske, who owns both a team and a track, logistics shouldn’t be an issue.

Earlier this week, former Porsche works driver Timo Bernhard drove the 963 RSP on the roads near Le Mans, calling the experience “unreal.”

Before it reaches Penske’s garage, the RSP will make appearances at several events. It will be displayed at Le Mans, then travel to the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Monterey Car Week. After its public outings, it will finally be handed over to its new owner.

While Porsche says no second example is currently planned, the brand hasn’t ruled it out.

“Never say never,” said LMDh boss Urs Kuratle. “If there’s an opportunity to do it again, why not?”

For now, the 963 RSP stands as a singular tribute to Porsche’s motorsports history.

A reminder of how thin the line between track and road used to be—and still can be, with the right amount of engineering and money.