Something of a wolf in sheep’s clothing, this seldom-seen example of RUF’s pre-eminent aftermarket handiwork combines the style of the “G-Series” Cabriolet with the blistering performance of Stuttgart’s flagship 911 Turbo.
An original German-market car, this example was delivered new from the factory in early 1987, equipped with Porsche’s standard naturally aspirated 3.2-litre flat-six. After two years, the first owner—who remarkably has kept the car from new—resolved to significantly increase the car’s performance, and in the autumn of 1989 presented it to RUF.
Borrowing heavily from its contemporary 930-inspired ‘BTR’, RUF implemented a raft of discreet yet potent enhancements, installing a reworked 3.3-litre turbocharged flat-six from Porsche’s top-of-the-range 911 Turbo, though bored out to 3.4-litres and now producing 374 PS—a near 40 per cent increase on the car’s factory output. Also borrowed from the 911 Turbo was a five-speed Turbo transmission with locking differential and full braking system, which was allied to RUF’s own front and rear spoiler treatments—while retaining the narrower bodywork from the orignal car. As revealed by period invoices, the total cost of the work undertaken by RUF exceeded the car’s original purchase price by a considerable margin.
In 2017, with the odometer indicating just over 30,000 kilometres, the car was given a full engine rebuild by RUF at the behest of its long-standing owner. This RUF presents an unusual, understated and formidable alternative to the ubiquitous 1980s 911 Turbo.
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