Porsche 917 Kurzheck: Celebrating 50 Years of an Iconic Adventure

April 27, 2025

Porsche Celebrates Fifty Years of the Original Audacious Adventure

In a story that perfectly captures Porsche's adventurous spirit, the brand is celebrating fifty years since one of its boldest feats — transforming a race-winning 917 into a road-legal machine. It was a passion project, driven not by corporate decision-making, but by the sheer determination of a private owner and a dedicated team within Porsche. Their goal? To turn racing dreams into reality.

Back in 1975, Count Gregorio Rossi di Montelera, an Italian businessman and Porsche aficionado, commissioned what would become the legendary 917 “Kurzheck” street version. Based on the 917 chassis 30, this car wasn't just a showroom model — it had already made its mark on the endurance racing scene of the early '70s.

What made this Porsche unique wasn’t just its thunderous performance, but the careful adaptations that made it legal for the road. Finished in iconic Martini Silver, the 917 featured street necessities like mufflers, extra mirrors, side indicators, and even a horn — rare additions for a car born for the track. Beneath its curvy clamshell, a mandatory spare tire was tucked away.

Inside, small luxuries elevated the experience. The two racing seats were reupholstered in sumptuous Hermès tan leather, with soft suede touches throughout the roof lining, doors, and dashboard. Yet, elements like the lightweight, drilled key and wooden gear shifter reminded everyone of its racetrack DNA. The car even wore an Alabama license plate, a fitting quirk for such an extraordinary machine.

Fast forward to 2025, and this remarkable 917 still roams the scenic roads of southern France. Recently restored while maintaining its original charm, the car stands as a living testament to Porsche’s spirit of innovation and willingness to defy conventions — a philosophy that continues to inspire today's lineup, from the new 911s to the electrifying Taycan.

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