The Porsche 963 RSP is a one-of-a-kind car designed exclusively for Roger Penske. The RSP is a road-going variant of the 963 race car, inspired by the legendary 917 and equipped with a high-revving V-8 engine. It will make its public debut during this year’s Le Mans race week. It will likely cost more than any Porsche you could buy from a showroom. One of Porsche’s most important customers is billionaire Roger Penske, who is 88 years old and runs the Team Penske racing team. Porsche made the new 963 RSP to meet Penske’s needs for a 963 hybrid Le Mans race car that can also be driven on the street. Most track-rat Porsches are regular cars that have been changed to be faster (911 GT2 RS, for example). The 963 RSP is the exact opposite of these cars. This is a race car that has been slightly tamed. It features a V-8 engine and a 10,000 rpm capability. In reality, it’s not clear what the “street-legal” part of the equation means. During the Le Mans race week in France, the 963 RSP will be able to drive a specific route that intersects with the 917 racer, a Porsche built for Count Rossi in 1975, which is safe to drive on the road. Penske and Porsche will be able to work out a deal with the right people when they get back to the US. Because there is a piece of metal in the dashboard, it could be registered as a 1982 924. Strangely, the 963 RSP was finished in the United States at the Porsche Classic shop in Atlanta. High-end restorations are what Porsche Classic excels at, and it requires a level of skill to bring a worn-out race car up to the standards of the man whose name is on the car. The Germans found it amusing that a 3-D-printed cup holder and various unusual leathers were added to the interior. The DRK button on the steering wheel, which is supposed to provide the driver with fluids, is still present but doesn’t function. A lot of work went into making the carbon-fiber body smooth since a race car doesn’t need any bumps or other flaws. More air vents have been added above the big holes on the fenders, and the ride height has been raised. Besides that, there is a backup camera. The 963 RSP has headlights, taillights, a horn, and turn signs. Although it has been slightly modified, it remains a race car. You start it with a laptop instead of a key. The 963 RSP is a completely new car, but it has some features that give it a vintage appearance. The color is Porsche Martini Silver, which was also used on the 917. It’s not a wrap like the race cars. There are logos from the 1970s on the sides of Michelin tires, which are race tires with tread but full-wet versions. The inner color scheme, which features Alcantara and brown leather, also evokes the Count Rossi car. How much? It should cost more than a standard Macan but less than a 917K. Even though this is a one-of-a-kind car, Porsche has thoroughly enjoyed working on it, and they don’t plan to produce another one like it for affluent enthusiasts for another 50 years. For instance, could this car lead to a 963 JAS? Urs Kuratle, head of factory racing at Porsche Motorsport, remarked, “Never say never.”
