Vehicle Description
Chassis No. W09TA0348JPR06001
Engine No. BTR34028
A real 'W09' RUF from the 1980s is a rarity - bar none. It's not
uncommon to see RUF parts on 3.3-liter Porsche 911 Turbos:
Speedline wheels, steering wheels, even floor mats could be bought
and separately installed. There's a great reason for that, what's
fast is cool, and a RUF is the definition of both. Throughout the
1980s and 90s the fastest cars in the world were built in
Pfaffenhausen, Germany and while many could not afford a RUF an
older 911 or 930 was the place to accessorize with RUF parts. RUFs
from their early era can be split into two camps. The first are so
called, 'conversions' a car born with a 'WP0' VIN as a Porsche in
Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen that eventually, and happily, traveled to
RUF in Pfaffenhausen for RUF upgrades and parts. The second, and
more desirable RUF is created from a 'body-in-white' and born with
a 'W09' RUF VIN. These are the truly special RUF automobiles and
those like this 1988 RUF BTR are born without any stories or
explanations required.
Built April 1988, this example is accompanied by paperwork
confirming its status as an original RUF production car with build
specification details. As a BTR (Gruppe B Turbo RUF) it was
constructed with a 3.4-liter 374-horsepower (DIN) RUF air-cooled,
turbo flat-six. Based on the standard Porsche 3.3-liter 930 engine,
RUF's BTR featured increased displacement, twin-plug ignition,
turbocharger modifications, a less restrictive RUF specific exhaust
system, a larger intercooler, an oil cooler housed in the front
valance and a cockpit mounted 'Ladedruck' screw-type boost control
knob. With the horsepower increase the BTR notched 186 mph, winning
Road & Track's inaugural 'World's Fastest Car' test, besting
Porsche's 930 by 28 mph. As is clearly RUF's style, they also went
one better with their transmission, offering a 930/5-2, five-speed
manual when Porsche only offered four. At that very same test Paul
Frere effused praise on the RUF's transmission, 'the RUF-modified
gear change is excellent - much better than Porsche's standard
arrangement - with shorter travel and needing less effort.'
The heart of a RUF is its powertrain, but those in Pfaffenhausen
didn't neglect the rest of this BTR. Optional body modifications
included RUF's 'flat front conversion,' emulating a 505 'Slantnose'
930, with modifications to the front fenders and an aerodynamic
valance at the front, boxed rockers down the sides, and rear fender
intakes. Wheels are staggered RUF design 17-inch Speedlines, nine
inches wide at the front, ten at the rear with Bridgestone RE71
tires - similar construction to those found on the Porsche 959. The
interior was not without RUF's touch as well with special RUF
gauges, Recaro 'Classic' seats, and expected luxury amenities such
as power windows, electric sliding sunroof, and
air-conditioning.
Amazing stuff, however, most amazing of all today is its high
degree of originality. Through time and ownership changes many RUF
automobiles have been further personalized and modified, not so for
this BTR. Only covering an indicated 7,537 miles at the time of
cataloging, it is in astonishingly original condition - even
featuring its original Nakamichi tape deck, tool kit, warning
triangle, and HEPP medical kit. Firmly in collector car territory,
this RUF BTR is a unique specimen, a 1980s supercar faster than
anything when released, still satisfyingly fast today, and above
all else an original RUF.
