Sometimes the best ideas are born from pure “what if” conversations, and Porsche’s latest creation proves that point beautifully. Meet the 963 RSP – a one-off street-legal version of their championship-winning LMDh race car, built exclusively for racing legend Roger Penske. Yes, that’s right: someone actually convinced Porsche to turn their Le Mans weapon into a road car, and the results are absolutely spectacular.
When Racing Royalty Gets Royal Treatment
The story behind this unicorn starts with a trackside conversation at Road Atlanta, where Porsche executives were brainstorming ways to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the legendary Count Rossi 917 – a full-blown Le Mans race car that somehow ended up with Alabama license plates back in 1975. Fast forward through what Porsche calls a “submarine project” (German speak for “let’s keep this extremely quiet”), and you’ve got the most exclusive hypercar commission imaginable.
Roger Penske, the 88-year-old titan whose teams have conquered everything from IndyCar to IMSA, wasn’t just chosen randomly. His Penske Racing outfit co-operates Porsche’s 963 program, delivering championships in both IMSA and WEC. When you help a manufacturer dominate international motorsport, apparently you get rewarded with toys nobody else can have. The RSP initials? Roger Searle Penske – because when you’re this legendary, your middle name gets billing too.
Race Car, Road Manners
Here’s what makes the 963 RSP fascinating: Porsche deliberately kept changes to an absolute minimum. This isn’t some sanitized, road-friendly interpretation of a race car – it’s literally a 963 with just enough modifications to avoid getting arrested. The twin-turbo 4.6-liter V8 (borrowed from the 918 Spyder’s DNA) still pumps out around 680 horsepower through a seven-speed sequential Xtrac gearbox, paired with Bosch’s hybrid system for that extra electric punch.
The engineers did make some concessions to civility: ride height maxed out, dampers set to their softest setting, and the hybrid system remapped for smoother power delivery instead of track-focused aggression. They even figured out how to make it run on pump gas instead of racing fuel, which was certainly a challenge considering the motor screams past 8,000 rpm.
Martini Silver Perfection
Visually, the 963 RSP pays gorgeous homage to its spiritual predecessor. That Martini Silver paint (verified by Porsche Museum records, naturally) replaces the typical racing wraps, while satin black accents keep things elegant. The bodywork needed some subtle massaging , and Porsche didn’t disappoint. Closed fender vents replace the gaping race-spec openings, license plate mounts were added, and those mandatory racing wing blanking plates got the boot.
Inside, tan leather and Alcantara create an environment that’s light-years more luxurious than the stripped-out race version, yet still unmistakably purposeful. The carbon seats get proper padding and headrests, while clever details like HVAC vents shaped like 917 engine fan blades show the attention to historical detail. There’s even a removable 3D-printed cupholder.
The Reality Check
Let’s be honest about what this actually is: the 963 RSP isn’t truly street-legal in the conventional sense. It received special dispensation from French authorities for its Le Mans debut, wearing manufacturer test plates rather than proper registration. And, Penske probably won’t be running errands in this thing.
Starting it requires a laptop and someone who actually knows how to operate a modern prototype race car. The ride quality, even with those softened dampers, probably makes a GT3 RS feel like a Bentley Continental, but hey, who’s complaining here?
Spec Sheet
Model: Porsche 963 RSP
Production: One-off commission for Roger Penske
Engine: Twin-turbo 4.6L V8 + hybrid system
Power: ~680 HP (combined)
Transmission: 7-speed sequential (Xtrac)
Weight: ~2,300-2,400 lbs
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive with hybrid boost
Price: Undisclosed (race car base: ~$2.9M+)
Pricing & Availability
The 963 RSP is heading to Penske’s collection after appearances at Le Mans, the Porsche Museum, Goodwood Festival of Speed, and Monterey Car Week. Long story short, this is your only chance to see it in person before it disappears into private hands forever.
Recap
Porsche 963 RSP One-Off Hypercar
Porsche transformed their championship-winning 963 race car into a street-legal one-off for Roger Penske, featuring 680HP hybrid power, Martini Silver paint, luxurious tan leather interior, and the distinction of being the most exclusive modern hypercar ever built.
