Porsche Unveils 1-of-1 Road-Going Version of the 963 Endurance Race Car
A week before the 2025 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Porsche has unveiled a road-going version of its 963 endurance race car in the streets near the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe.
This special project is a one-off commission created for, named after, Roger S. Penske, head of Porsche Penske Motorsport, so no series production is planned.
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The car closely follows the design direction taken by the famous ‘Count Rossi’ 917 from 50 years ago. The 917, which was the most advanced endurance race car at that time, similarly spawned a road car that drove from the factory in Zuffenhausen all the way to Paris with its enigmatic owner at the wheel. The 963 RSP is painted in the same Martini Silver (a unique challenge due to the nature of the carbon fibre and Kevlar bodywork which is ultra-thin in places to save weight) and features a bespoke tan leather and Alcantara interior inspired by the trim choices made by Count Rossi 50 years ago.
A reprogrammed control unit allows for the headlights and taillights to operate closer to those of a road car. Meanwhile, the ride height was raised to its maximum available setting to accommodate road use, and the adjustable Multimatic DSSV dampers designed for racing prototypes are in their softest setting. Up front, a genuine Porsche crest replaces the graphic that is applied to all conventional 963s.
These changes along with modified bodywork to cover the wheel arches, the use of Michelin wet-weather tires (sporting a logo on the sidewalls just like in the 1970s), the addition of front and rear licence plates and even the fitment of a horn meet the necessary criteria to be allowed to drive on the road under special permission from the French authorities and with the support of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, which runs the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Inside, the 963 RSP is more accommodating, with the single-piece carbon seat trimmed in leather with soft cushioning placed down the centre and a fixed headrest mounted on the carbon fibre bulkhead. There’s a 3D-printed cup holder, which is cool. Next to the driver, a newly trimmed panel provides a location for the car’s Peltor headset and steering wheel when not in use as well as a platform for the laptop that starts and assists in the operation of the car and Roger Penske’s custom crash helmet.
The hybrid powertrain with twin-turbo 4.6-litre V8 and lithium-ion battery—capable of being run on electric power only—remains in standard race tune in the 963 RSP, but power delivery from the MGU has been remapped to provide smooth delivery more appropriate for road use versus race competition, as Porsche explained.
“That was an experience that will stay with me for a lifetime,” said three-time Le Mans winner Timo Bernhard, who was at the wheel of the 963 RSP for its first kilometres on the road. “Driving down a public road with a 917 beside me—it felt unreal. The car behaved perfectly—it felt a little friendlier and more forgiving than the normal 963—and felt super special and a lot more comfortable, especially as I was not needing all my safety gear.”
As for Penske, who hailed the Porsche 917/30 as one of the greatest eras in Team Penske history with numerous wins and championships, he said: “We felt it was time to create the most exciting car we could imagine. Just like the 917, I wanted this car to be authentic to its origin and have as few changes to it as possible. When we got into the project, the differences in the two generations of race cars provided a great challenge. What emerged is a car that has lost none of its edge and is exciting whether on the track or on the road.”
Following a public display at the Circuit de la Sarthe during the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 963 RSP will return to Stuttgart to be shown at the Porsche Museum. In July, it will appear alongside the 917 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the U.K., giving more fans the opportunity to take a live look at this one-of-a-kind Porsche.
