Gooding & Company is already hard at work preparing for its 2023 Amelia Island Auction and has announced a group of special RUF cars as early highlights. The Florida auction, scheduled for March 3 at the Racquet Park, Omni Amelia Island Resort, will feature RUF//The Collection, comprised of four unique and rare models from the German manufacturer.
“In recent years, collectors have begun to recognize the significance of the RUF marque, particularly the W09-serial numbered cars built in-house in Pfaffenhausen. Not only are these cars extremely rare, but they also exemplify the exceptional attention to detail and engineering excellence that have become synonymous with RUF,” states David Brynan, Gooding & Company Senior Specialist. “We are thrilled to present this fantastic collection at Amelia Island, which consists of four outstanding and highly individualized cars from a knowledgeable private collector.”
On offer from the collection is a 1998 RUF Turbo R finished in the eye-catching factory Porsche color Blutorange, or Blood Orange. The interior is finished in black leather and cloth, and features sports seats, RUF green-hued gauges and a RUF steering wheel. Having been cared for by four owners, the car was later sent back to the RUF factory by its third owner. At that time the car was extensively refreshed and upgraded to specs closer to those of the higher-performance Turbo R Limited series of 2016. It was also fitted with redesigned RUF CTR2 front and rear bumpers featuring additional venting slats, larger 19-inch RUF wheels, carbon ceramic brakes and Bilstein adjustable coil-over suspension, among other upgrades. The RUF Turbo R is one of approximately 15 built by the company and has 13,800 miles on the odometer.
Even rarer is the 1998 RUF Turbo R Cabriolet headed for Gooding & Company’s Amelia Island sale. Of the 15 Turbo R examples produced just one was completed in cabriolet form — this car. Commissioned by Colonel Mark Haselton of Georgia — a VIP client of RUF’s — the one-off cabriolet’s chassis was extensively engineered to accommodate the removal of its roof. Like its coupe sibling, the cabriolet features RUF wheels, sports seats, a RUF steering wheel and RUF-branded VDO instrumentation. Powered by a twin-turbocharged flat-six engine producing 490 hp, the drop-top RUF has been driven just 10,223 miles.
Also crossing the auction block is a 1997 RUF BTR2, the successor of the first RUF model to use the company’s W09 serial number designation. The updated model is distinguished from the original BTR of 1983 by its fixed whale tail spoiler, extra set of rear driving lights and a redesigned from bumper. Performance of the BTR2 was also improved thanks to an overhauled engine which cranked out 420 hp at just 5,000 rpm and could speed from zero to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. This Speed Yellow example is one of ten believed to have been produced and is stamped chassis 001. Delivered new in Japan before being shipped to the UK, it was then purchased by the founder of the Beverly Hills Motoring Accessories, Andy Cohen. Mr. Cohen had it converted to U.S.-spec by the RUF factory in Pfaffenhausen, Germany before it left Europe. The yellow coupe has covered 26,000 miles and remains in excellent condition.
The final car from RUF//The Collection is also the newest — a 2007 RUF RK Coupe. The coupe is an offshoot of the RK Spyder and was created in collaboration with design house Studiotorino. Only two of the planned 49 examples were ever produced. A prototype car remains at the Studiotornio museum, with this car standing as the only production example of the RK Coupe built. Based off the Porsche Cayman, the RK — which stands for “RUF KOMPRESSOR” — is powered by a modified 440-bhp compressor engine with a mechanical turbo charger. Finished in Marmograu over black leather, the car has been cherished by two owners and has travelled only 6,642 miles.
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