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The Only Street-Legal Porsche 917K: All The Details
Porsche’s legendary 917 race car was built for one thing: winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Under the guidance of Ferdinand Piëch, the 917 delivered Porsche’s first overall Le Mans victory in 1970, followed by another in 1971. But one version of this motorsport icon took an unlikely turn—it became a road car.
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Commissioned by Italian aristocrat and businessman Count Rossi di Montelera—known for his ties to the Martini & Rossi brand—the street-legal 917K remains one of the rarest vehicles ever built by Porsche.
Based on chassis #917-030, a former race car that competed just once before being retired, the vehicle was repurposed in the early 1970s at the Count’s request.
Instead of constructing a new car, Porsche modified an existing 917K, adding just enough to meet basic road regulations.
The modifications included rudimentary mufflers, turn signals, a horn, mirrors, and even a spare tire awkwardly housed under the clamshell engine cover.
Unlike many historic race cars that sit idle in private collections or museums, this 917K is still used regularly.
Now wearing UK license plates, it lives in southern France and sees the open road often, even after recently undergoing a preservation-focused restoration.
Despite being more than 50 years old, it remains close to its original spec—right down to the drilled ignition key.
Powered by a flat-12 engine mounted just ahead of the rear axle, the 917K was built for speed and endurance. Its low weight, slippery bodywork, and power made it a dominant force in endurance racing.
Porsche retained the 917’s endurance-racing essentials—manual controls, racing harnesses, and the signature wooden gear knob—but reupholstered the seats in tan leather from French luxury house Hermès.
