Porsche marks 50 years since Count Rossi’s legendary 917 road trip, celebrating daring innovation with a one of a kind 917 street version that still drives the French roads today.

Porsche Celebrates 50 Years Since the Original Audacious Adventure

Porsche marks 50 years since Count Rossi’s legendary 917 road trip, celebrating daring innovation with a one of a kind 917 street version that still drives the French roads today.

On April 28, 1975, a one-off Porsche 917 left the Weissach development center—not for a racetrack, but for an unprecedented journey on public roads.

Driven by the passion of private owner Count Gregorio Rossi di Montelera and Porsche’s commitment to fulfilling bold customer dreams, the car’s maiden road trip stretched all the way to Paris.

Known simply as “Count Rossi,” the Italian businessman and Martini heir commissioned significant modifications to the original 917 chassis 30.

Finished in Martini Silver, the car was fitted with mufflers, extra mirrors, side indicators, a horn, and even carried a mandatory spare tire. Inside, the two race seats were re-trimmed in tan leather by Hermès, complemented by suede surfaces on the roof, doors, and dashboard—small luxuries added without losing the raw racing spirit.

The gear shifter retained its signature wooden finish, and the car bore an Alabama license plate obtained by Rossi.

Today, this legendary 917 Kurzheck street version remains in use, thrilling road users in the south of France under its current U.K. registration. Recently restored, the car proudly preserves its original paint and interior as it embarks on its next 50 years of life on the road.