1975 Porsche 917 KH Street

• The 1975 Porsche 917 KH Street was a one-off, road-legal adaptation of the iconic Le Mans-winning race car.

• Commissioned by Count Gregorio Rossi di Montelera, it featured subtle modifications for street use, including additional mirrors and a horn.

• Despite its rarity, the car remains operational and is still driven on public roads today.

A One-Off Built for the Street

Back in 1975, Porsche did something unexpected. It turned a track monster into a street-legal oddity. Not because of regulations or strategy—because one man asked for it. Count Gregorio Rossi di Montelera, a Porsche-loving Italian and heir to the Martini & Rossi brand, wanted his own 917. Not for the track. For the road.

Porsche said yes.

What rolled out of Zuffenhausen wasn’t a toned-down tribute. It was the real thing—barely modified—made to navigate public roads. The 917 KH Street (short for “Kurzheck,” or short tail) was born.

Minimal Tweaks, Maximum Presence

At a glance, it still looks like a Le Mans car. Because it is. The signature teardrop canopy, aggressive stance, low-slung body—intact. Painted in that unmistakable Martini Silver.

To make it street-legal? Porsche added a horn, a couple of extra mirrors, some turn signals, and mufflers that barely quiet the bark of that flat-12. Oh, and a spare tire crammed under the rear clamshell—because, technically, that was required.

Inside, things got only slightly more civil. Porsche had Hermès rework the racing seats in tan leather. Some suede padding on the roof lining and dash added a touch of comfort. The rest? Original. Gear shifter’s still wood. That famous drilled key? Still there.

Still a Beast Beneath the Body

This wasn’t just a show car. Underneath, the 917 KH Street kept its 5.0-liter flat-12 engine, pumping out over 600 horsepower. The thing weighs under 1,800 pounds. That’s lighter than most hot hatches and way more powerful.

It's loud, fast, twitchy. The idea of piloting it on French backroads sounds terrifying and magical at the same time. But someone’s doing it.

The car still lives, somewhere in the south of France. Still gets driven. Occasionally shows up at Porsche events. And yes, it’s still road-legal. That alone makes it one of the most fascinating street cars ever created.

An Icon that Never Needed to Exist

The 917 KH Street never went into production. There was no plan to scale it. No attempt to soften the experience for buyers. It was built because someone had a wild dream—and Porsche decided to entertain it.

It’s rare to see something like this survive, let alone be functional. But this one does. Not in a museum. Not on a trailer. On actual pavement.

Porsche built faster cars. More luxurious ones. But it’s hard to name one cooler than this.

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