Lot 216 - 1979 Porsche 911 / 930 Turbo by RUF BTR

Those that know Porsche, know RUF. As AMG is to Mercedes-Benz, RUF take already formidable driving machines and turn them into psychotic hooligans.

In a small village in the Allgau region, west of Munich, is the home of RUF Automobile GmbH, a small company who, in conjunction with Porsche, has rewritten the rule books using their own very special font. Production began in earnest in 1983 with the first vehicle to bear a RUF chassis number, a 3.4 litre Turbo model pushing out 374hp through a RUF developed five-speed manual gearbox, arrived. It wasn’t just about raw power; a special instrument was developed, twin spark plugs installed, RUF harness, seats and steering wheel. These upgrades were all cloaked in a new RUF BTR (standing for Group B Turbo RUF) Turbo bodywork.

RUF concentrates not only on engine, transmission and body, but also on wheels and brakes with RUF 17” forged Speedline alloy wheels complementing the model range as well RUFs classic four-pipe exhaust and 17” tyres (originally developed for the 959) resulting from a close co-operation with tyre manufacturer, Dunlop. The CTR followed, a lightweight coupé powered by a 469hp, 3.4 litre, twin-turbo engine. This ‘Yellowbird’ as it came to be known, set new benchmarks for street-legal, performance sports cars. It destroyed its peers such as the Ferrari F40, AMG Mercedes-Benz and even the works-tuned Porsche 959. It was in that same year that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) certified RUF as an automobile manufacturer in its own right. To this day RUF continues to source 'bodies-in-white' directly from Porsche to then produce bespoke sports cars to their new owner’s specification and with each very special set of characteristics.

This early lefthand drive RUF BTR with a 3.3 turbo engine is believed to be one of between 70 and 80 examples bearing an original Porsche chassis number and the car still features on their website.

First registered in 1979, this Porsche 911/930 Turbo was significantly upgraded to BTR specification in circa 1985 using original RUF parts. The plaque on the glovebox indicates the conversion was completed by the authorised Japanese RUF importer, Ishida Engineering, in conjunction with RUF HQ. Indeed, the RUF factory in Pfaffenhausen, Germany, has supplied a recent letter confirming the originality of all RUF parts and modifications.

• RUF five-speed gearbox
• RUF single piece forged Speedline alloy wheels (9x17 & 10x17)
• RUF twin double tailpipes and exhaust muffler
• RUF cockpit Turbo Boost Control
• RUF Turbo body kit: deeper bumpers front and rear, and thicker-set side skirts,
• RUF badged engine lid
• RUF DTM grafted racing wing mirrors
• RUF embossed steering wheel
• RUF badged instrument cluster with turbo boost gauges
• RUF embossed gear lever
• RUF floor carpets
• Ishida Engineering/RUF plaque on the glovebox
• Original RUF specified Recaro racing bucket seats with harnesses

Specified originally in Grand Prix White, this purposeful-looking BTR is fully registered in the UK, fully serviced and comes with a full up-to-date MoT test certificate. Importantly though, it also comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Porsche themselves as well as a Certificate of Authenticity from RUF.