Introduced by RUF in 1998, the Turbo R filled the hole in the company’s lineup after it discontinued the CTR2 supercar. Like its predecessor, the Turbo R is based on the Turbo version of the 993-generation Porsche 911. Available between 1998 and 2002, these special hand-built automobiles are powered by an exclusive, RUF-developed variant of Porsche’s hallowed 3.6-liter, M64/60 flat-6-cylinder engine.
This Turbo R’s unique build specifications include an integrated roll cage cleverly wrapped in black leather, full Bilstein for RUF sports suspension, 19-inch aluminum center-lock wheels, as well as RUF’s modern carbon-ceramic brake package that features six-piston front calipers and four-piston rear calipers finished in matching Acid Green paint. Additionally, this Turbo R has been equipped from new with the RUF-developed 6-speed manual transaxle that is paired with an all-wheel-drive system — one of just four so-equipped examples believed to have been built by RUF in-period.
In October 2022, the consignor sent this Turbo R back to Pfaffenhausen for an additional $88,000 of upgrades, which included a new 560-horsepower tune and a larger set of twin turbochargers, as well as a full retrimming of the cabin to its current state and the fitment of the 19-inch wheels which it wears today. An updated head unit with Bluetooth, CarPlay and USB capabilities allows occupants to enjoy all the comforts and conveniences of a modern automobile.
The opportunity to acquire any RUF Turbo R is unlikely to repeat itself with any regularity. Very few examples were produced, and well-sorted ones almost never come up for sale on account of their splendid drivability.
SCM Analysis
Detailing
| Vehicle: | 1998 RUF Turbo R |
| Years Produced: | 1998–2002; 2007; 2016 (“Turbo R Limited” tribute) |
| Number Produced: | 15 RUF factory-built, 7 “Limited” tributes |
| Tune Up Cost: | $5,000 including valve adjustment |
| Chassis Number Location: | On plate on firewall in front trunk, plate on dashboard |
| Engine Number Location: | On vertical fan stand, facing right |
| Club Info: | Porsche Club of America |
| Website: | http://www.pca.org |
| Alternatives: | 1998 Porsche 911 Turbo S, 1995–98 Porsche 911 GT2, 1995–98 Lamborghini Diablo SV |
This car, Lot 214, sold for $1,517,500, including buyer’s premium, at RM Sotheby’s Coral Gables, FL, auction on March 2, 2024.
Alois and Estonia Ruf have kept the RUF name at the forefront of the “Porsche modifier” world despite serious and higher-volume challenges from Rob Dickinson’s Singer and other remanufacturers such as Gunther Werks, Workshop 5001, Theon Design, et al.
Alois (senior) founded Auto Ruf as a service and repair shop in Pfaffenhausen, near Munich, in 1939. After building buses post-war, in the early 1960s this operation became a Porsche tuner shop known simply as RUF. When Alois (junior) took over in 1974, he concentrated on building hot 911s. In 1981 the German authorities recognized RUF as a manufacturer that could assign its own serial numbers. U.S. certification came in 1988. RUF also became a business partner with Porsche, buying entire assemblies and modifying cars for Porsche’s Special Wishes/Exclusive Department.
Road to glory
Several cars cemented RUF’s reputation in the auto enthusiast world. First the RUF BTR (1984–86) won Road & Track’s “fastest car in the world” test in 1984 at 186 mph. Then in 1987 the RUF CTR won the R&T contest again, hitting 204 mph. The CTR was also more stable at those top speeds than the BTR had been. In 1989, RUF released a videotape, “Faszination on the Nürburgring,” of Stefan Roser shredding the tires of a CTR around the Nordschleife. Every Porsche enthusiast in the late 1980s had a copy. The 29 Yellowbirds (two words at first, one since) were instantly collectible and still are the most sought-after RUFs. (For a more-thorough history, see your author’s German Profile in the August 2016 issue.)
RUF developed additional models over the years. None were failures, but some became more valuable than others. Low production numbers have been the norm, which has helped keep values up on almost all RUFs. Most of its 35 models are derived from 911s, excepting about seven built from Boxsters, Caymans and Cayennes. The radical-appearing CTR3 used a Cayman-reminiscent tub manufactured by Multimatic, built 30 strong (see German Profile, September 2019).
RUF developed a specialty in turbocharging to wring more horsepower out of every Porsche-based engine it built. Some collectors view turbochargers to be the essence of RUFs and eschew all normally aspirated models. RUF and their licensees also modified existing Porsches for customers, but RUF factory-built cars are much more desirable than conversions. Factory-built RUFs’ serial numbers all feature W09 as the first three digits of the VIN, while converted cars will have the familiar original WP0 Porsche designation.
Faster than fast
About 15 units of the Turbo R were produced from 1998 to 2002, with an additional seven “Limited” tributes built in 2007. The early run was based on 993 AWD Turbo coupes obtained from Porsche, although all but four were converted to rear-wheel drive. The engine remained at 3.6 liters but with larger KKK turbochargers, new high-lift camshafts, additional oil cooling, free-flow exhausts, and a reprogrammed ECU. The suspension was firmed up all around including RUF-spec Bilstein adjustable coil-over suspension and larger carbon-fiber brakes with six-piston fronts and four-piston rears. Inside, an integrated roll cage added rigidity and protection, with true sports seats and a RUF steering wheel. RUF-designating exterior tidbits included carbon-fiber front and rear bumpers with additional air inlets/vents, carbon-fiber front fenders, shaved-off rain gutters, a different tail and 18-inch RUF wheels.
The package worked. Horsepower was 480 to 490, with 480 lb-ft of torque. Articles in the day quoted 3.5-second 0–60 mph runs with a top speed of 205 mph for the long-geared version. A stock 993 Turbo was 408 horsepower, 400 lb-ft of torque, 0–60 in in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 182 mph with shorter gears.
Rare and fair
Our subject car was consigned by Victor Gomez, “RUF’s sole North American agent,” according to the catalog. In 2022 the owner sent the car back to RUF for upgrades. RUF owners often return cars to Pfaffenhausen for restorations and repaints, including color changes, interior refurbishment and engine/gearbox/wheel upgrades. Unexpectedly, not only do RUF modifications not hurt the cars’ values, they help them. For $88k Gomez got a larger set of turbos delivering a reported 560 hp, newer 19-inch wheels, and a retrimmed black leather interior with Acid Green accents and billet pedals. The car sported Grand Prix White paint and showed 3,276 miles.
Of the 22 built, seven Turbo Rs have hit the open market in the past five years, along with four conversions. Prices ranged from $626,500 to $2.04m and $159k to $465k for the conversions. At Gooding & Company’s 2023 Amelia Island sale, a Detroit-based RUF collector sold his Turbo R, #6023 with 13,803 miles in premium Blood Orange paint with later RUF-executed upgrades similar to the auction car above, for $1,550,000. That same collector also offered his one-off 1998/2007 RUF Turbo R cabriolet #6026, built after the fact in 2007 on a fresh 993 C4 cab body. Finished in Tangerine with 10,223 miles, the car sold for $1,022,500 — a head-scratcher versus the coupe.
Our auction car sold for $1,517,500. Given the slightly pedestrian Grand Prix White paint color countered by desirable lowish mileage, we’d call it a fair sale for both seller and buyer. ♦
(Introductory description courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.)
