Photo credit: Porsche
Porsche is celebrating the 50th anniversary of an important moment in its history—when a one-off 917 race car first took to public roads instead of the track. On April 28, 1975, the specially modified 917 chassis 30 left the Weissach development center and made an extraordinary journey to Paris, marking the start of a new kind of Porsche adventure.
The project was driven by Count Gregorio Rossi di Montelera, a passionate Porsche enthusiast and heir to the Martini brand. His request to make the 917 street-legal led to a series of modifications, including exhaust mufflers, side mirrors, indicators, a horn, and a spare tire. The interior was upgraded with tan leather seats commissioned from Hermes and suede accents, blending racing heritage with luxury touches.
Photo credit: Porsche
Originally registered with an Alabama license plate, the car kept many of its racing features, like the wooden gear shifter and lightweight key. Today, the 917 is still roadworthy, maintained in its original condition by its current owner and often seen on the roads of southern France.
Porsche notes that the spirit of innovation behind the 917 road car continues to influence the brand today, with the company still driven by the question: what if?