Adorned in period correct racing livery of the 60s, find out what makes this one-off build so significant for Porsche
by Khris Bharath on July 31, 2024, 16:30Porsche has unveiled a one-off 911 GT3 RS that pays tribute to the legendary Joseph (Jo) Siffert. The Swiss racing driver was renowned for his exceptional talent and charismatic personality. Born in Fribourg in 1936, Siffert’s passion for speed began early, with motorcycle racing before transitioning to cars. His career spanned Formula One, sports car racing, and various other motorsports disciplines.
Siffert is particularly remembered for his partnership with Porsche, having driven several race cars including the 906, 908, and the iconic 917. In 1968, Kurt Ahrens along with Siffert won the first international 1,000-kilometre race at the Österreichring near Zeltweg in a Porsche 917. His aggressive driving style and fearless attitude made him a fan favorite, though tragically, his life was cut short in a fatal accident at the age of 35. Siffert was killed in the non-championship World Championship Victory Race at Brands Hatch, Kent, England. Despite his brief career, Siffert’s impact on motorsport remains significant, and he continues to be a revered figure in the racing world.
Perfect Fusion Of Past And Present: Porsche’s 911 GT3 RS Tribute To Jo Siffert
This custom 911 GT3 RS is a tribute to Jo Siffert and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur built it as part of the Sonderwunsch program. Jo Siffert’s son, Philippe, and grandson, Jérémy, were also involved in the creation of this masterpiece, ensuring it truly captures Siffert’s spirit. We’re not talking about a measly plaque or some stripes here; this is a meticulously crafted machine that blends classic racing aesthetics with cutting-edge performance. Pure White paint job accented with flashes of Viper Green, a PTS color combo that screams "1969 Porsche 917." Siffert’s lucky number "29" is plastered all over the car. Step inside, and you’re greeted by a luxurious cockpit with a heavy dose of race-ready carbon fiber.
Highlights
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Paint to Sample Colors: This 911 GT3 RS sports a custom Pure White and Viper Green combo, a true homage to Siffert’s iconic race car.
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Classic Porsche Lettering: The doors and sides are adorned with classic Porsche lettering with a striped design, straight outta Siffert’s original 917.
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Period-Correct Sponsor Decals: With the help of Bosch and Shell, Porsche recreated sponsor decals from Siffert’s era.
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917 Silhouettes: Keep an eye out for the subtle nods to the 917. You’ll find the car’s silhouette on the center lock of the wheels and the sideplates of the rear wing.
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Custom Badges: Check out the B-pillars for special badges featuring a helmet design and Siffert’s name and signature. Now that’s personalization!
This tribute also celebrates the iconic Porsche 917, that dominated the racing world in the late 60s and early 70s. The 917 won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971, solidifying Porsche’s place in racing history.
Now, the bad news: This is a one-off, and even worse, they’re gonna raffle it off. So, unless you’ve got some serious luck or a convincing sob story about your undying love for Jo Siffert, you probably won’t be getting behind the wheel of this beast. But hey, at least we can drool over the pics and dream about what it would be like to own this piece of racing history. Ultimately, it’s clear that Porsche didn’t just want to build a fast car; they wanted to create a living monument to a racing legend.
Khris Bharath
Khris is a Mechanical Engineer and a classic car aficionado, who adores his Jags, Alfas, and old-school American muscle cars. He keeps tabs on everything from super exotics like an old EB 110 to the latest from Lucid and geeks out on three-row family haulers. Formula One remains very close to his heart, and he diligently makes time to tune in for the Grand Prix on Sundays. Khris also loves his road trips and he prefers a stick shift over an auto. Read full bio