When the Porsche 917 debuted in 1969, it was built with one mission: to dominate endurance racing. Engineered by the brilliant Hans Mezger, the 917 featured a mid-mounted, air-cooled flat-12 engine, cutting-edge aerodynamics, and a radical lightweight design. Over time, the car cemented its status as one of the most successful race cars of the era, most famously taking Porsche to its first overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and again in 1971.
Yet despite its accolades on the track, the 917 was never meant to see a city street—until a bold Italian aristocrat decided to rewrite that rule.
Chassis #030: From Racing Glory to Retirement
Among the 917s that Porsche built, chassis number 030 holds a particularly fascinating story. Initially built for endurance racing, this car’s sole competitive appearance was at the 1971 Zeltweg 1000 Kilometers. Mechanical failure forced it into early retirement, after which Porsche repurposed it as a test vehicle, using it to develop the brand’s pioneering ABS system. Once its research days were over, the 917 was quietly stored away.
But the story didn’t end there.
Enter Count Rossi: The Man with a Vision
The car caught the attention of Count Teofilo Guiscardo Rossi di Montelera, an Italian industrialist whose family owned the Martini & Rossi beverage empire. Rossi wasn’t just a motorsports fan—he was a patron, with the famous Martini Racing livery adorning some of the most legendary cars of the era, including the 917.
Unlike most collectors who might have simply preserved the car in a private museum, Count Rossi had a grander idea. He wanted to drive the 917 on public roads—legally.
The Road-Legal Conversion
Turning a full-blooded race car into a street-legal vehicle was no small task, especially in the 1970s. Germany refused. France and Italy also denied registration. Surprisingly, Rossi found success in the United States—specifically Alabama. Despite no evidence that the car ever set wheels on American soil, the Alabama registration allowed it to legally travel European roads.
Porsche, intrigued and perhaps slightly amused by the project, helped make the car roadworthy. The team installed mufflers, side mirrors, turn signals, a horn, and even a spare tire. On Count Rossi’s request, the interior was dressed up in Hermes leather with suede accents. Yet, much of its raw race DNA remained untouched—the flat-12 engine, drilled key, and wooden shift knob were all left intact.
On April 28, 1975, Count Rossi made history. He drove the 917 from Porsche’s headquarters in Stuttgart to Paris, a 400-mile journey that surely stunned every passerby. The image of a Le Mans-winning Porsche, clad in Alabama plates, roaring down the French autoroute remains one of the most surreal episodes in automotive history.
A New Era?
Today, Porsche is once again teasing the idea of a road-legal endurance machine. With whispers of a modern-day 917 successor on the horizon, it’s hard not to wonder if Count Rossi’s audacious vision paved the way. Whatever comes next, the legacy of chassis 030 proves that with enough imagination—and the right license plate—even legends can take the long way home.
