RUF Reimagined Only One 964 RS and Now it’s For Sale
German Porsche perfectionist RUF built just one example of its RCT (RUF Carrera Turbo) on a lightweight RS chassis and, three decades later, it could be yours.
The regular RUF RCT was made between 1992 and 1997 based on the Carrera 2 or 4, but fitted with the firm’s own 3.6-liter turbocharged and intercooled flat six boosting power to 370 hp. Also installed was RUF’s six-speed transaxle and a bespoke exhaust.
In 1994 RUF tried something even more special, building just one RCT from a 964 RS donor car. Starting with a more rigid seam-welded body, aluminum hood, rolled fenders and thinner window glass meant that this RCT was the lightest of the lot. It eschewed electric windows, air conditioning and rear seats in the quest to save weight.
The exterior was finished in Polar Silver Metallic paint, with 18-inch Speedline alloys, and whale tail spoiler, while the car’s cabin was trimmed in a mix of black leather and tartan cloth. Sporty Recaro Pole Position seats were installed, along with green VDO instruments, and a Blaupunkt Montreaux audio system.
RUF used the car as a development vehicle and press demonstrator before selling it to an enthusiast in Heinsberg, Germany who kept it until 2017. In 2021 the car was imported to the U.S. and is now being offered for sale on Bring A Trailer with 41,000 km (25,476 miles) on the clock and plenty of documentation, including its original Porsche factory books and RUF build certificate.
Although Porsche made close to 2300 964 RS models this is the only example to be re-imagined by RUF, giving it true unicorn status. That’s reflected in the bidding, which at the time of writing had reached almost $600,000 with nine days still to go.
Should your best bid fail to win the auction then you can order a ‘new’ RCT from RUF which now offers an EVO edition with more than 430 horsepower, and many more creature comforts than the original. If you’re worried about weight there’s even a carbon fiber body option.
Looks great. I still love watching the old Ruf “yellowbird” videos. That car was insane, especially for the time.
Watched the RUF “Fazination” Yellowbird video again the other day………lost track of how many times. Hard to believe that video was from 1989. The other thing about RUF, the R&T “Fastest Car In The World” issue, July 1987 had the Yellowbird hit 211 MPH and I believe the next day it did 213 MPH. Porsche finally matched the 211 top speed with their 911 GT2 RS in 2019………..THIRTY-TWO years later…………but needed 690 HP to do it over RUF’s 460 HP.
………I’ll take a RUF 911 over all the others including Singer…………..and remember, RUF does not, unlike
Singer remove low production 964’s from the world’s inventory to make their cars. I do like Singer but I’ll take a green RUF SCR or the 964 above over anything these customizers build.
That is not the only one. owned another copy dating from August 1996. With the same specifications. It had also been appraised by the factory, and at the time, the director Mr Lieb told me that there were 4 examples in the world. Mine was Indischrot in color.