The extraordinary Porsche 963 RSP is a one-off road car tribute to the road-registered Porsche 917 that was created 50 years ago. While that 917 (chassis 30) was owned by Count Rossi of Martini Rossi fame, the ‘RSP’ in the new car’s name refers to Roger Searle Penske. The motorsport legend has spearheaded Porsche’s endurance racing effort in recent years and his team has been integral to the creation of this road version of the 963.
Henry Catchpole went to Le Mans (very briefly) to have a look at both cars and then drive the new 963. Weighing not much more than 1000kg or 2200lb and with largely the same 671bhp hybrid powertrain as the race car, the 963 RSP is incredibly rapid in a straight line, but perhaps more unexpectedly, the steering also feels fabulous and instantly encourages you to push harder. As a result, it’s not quite as intimidating as you might imagine and dreams of a road trip start to form.
The combustion engine is a 4.6-litre, twin turbo V8 that can trace its roots back to the unit in the RS Spyder race car. However, in naturally aspirated form the same V8 can also be found in the 918 Spyder road car. In the 963 RSP it has been remapped for a slightly smoother delivery on the road and it has also been adjusted to accept regular pump fuel.
Painted (not wrapped like every other 963) in Martini Silver, the 963 RSP looks perfect next to the identically coloured 917. Both cars also have a light tan interior with a mixture of leather and Alcantara in the RSP. The 917’s leather purportedly came from Hermès in 1975. Other details linking the two cars include 1970s-style Michelin decals on the 963’s tyres and interior vents shaped like the fan on top of the 917’s flat-12 engine.
Of course, if you’re more interested in aeroplanes then you might just want to watch the film for the Diamond DA62 that makes an appearance. Fun fact; it’s powered by a pair of Mercedes diesel car engines.
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