Vehicle Description
Chassis No. WP0JB0939HS051217
Engine No. BTR34037
The name of Alois Ruf is worshipped among Porsche cognoscenti; what
was once a small tuning shop in Pfaffenhausen is now a recognized
automobile manufacturer in its own right. Over the past four
decades these much-sought-after machines have proven themselves
able to out-perform the best supercars in the world. Indeed, RUF
first stunned the automotive community in 1987 when it's
astonishing narrow-body turbocharged "Yellow Bird" overwhelmed Road
and Track magazine's first top-speed shootout by turning laps of
more than 210 mph on Volkswagen's 15.5-mile Ehra-Lessien research
oval, almost 10 miles an hour faster than any other challenger. RUF
would eventually construct a small number of BTR 'Group B Turbo
RUF' for well-heeled customers on un-numbered bodies-in-white,
sourced directly from Porsche, perhaps no more than 30. For others
who sought a BTR, there remained another path. Purchase either a
new or used Porsche 930 Turbo and deliver it to RUF for
conversion.
This striking RUF BTR began life as a new, heavily-optioned 1987
Porsche 930 ordered by Illinois resident Charles Latimer for
Tourist Delivery in Stuttgart. The purchase agreement shows that
this new Guards Red over full Black leather Turbo would be
delivered with such standard equipment as a sunroof, air
conditioning, limited-slip differential, a raised-hub steering
wheel, heated and electrically-adjustable sport seats, tinted
glass, a rear wiper, a black headliner, a distinctive rubber-edged
"Whale-tail", and much more. Including taxes and fees, the total
invoice came to just over $64,000. Upon completion in May of 1987,
the coupe was driven to Pfaffenhausen where RUF converted it
largely to BTR specification. An included invoice from RUF
Automobiles itemizes the work, which included an upgrade of the
turbocharged and intercooled engine to 3.4 liters. Output was
increased to 374 horsepower and 354 foot-pounds of torque via a
larger turbo and intercooler, twin-plug ignition, and a four-pipe
exhaust system. The engine bears the RUF stamping number BTR34037.
A RUF-built five-speed manual replaced Porsche's standard
four-speed. Recaro leather sport seats and a RUF-embossed leather
steering wheel were also installed. RUF fitted a new front fascia
with an additional oil cooler, a louvered rear fascia, an oil
temperature gauge, and bespoke 17-inch-diameter five-spoke alloy
wheels, 9 inches wide in front and 10 inches wide in the rear. This
BTR conversion also featured a lowered and upgraded suspension. New
boxed-rockers and rear-quarter grills similar to those in Porsche's
own Slantnose package were fitted. Finally, a K40 laser radar
detection system was installed. Mr. Latimer paid an additional DM
66,422 for the conversion work.
Mr. Latimer recalls that after he picked up the car he and his wife
drove it in Europe for a while with their Touring Pass, then
shipped it home. He enjoyed it for about ten years, regretfully
selling it when his son was approaching driving age. He engaged
Alex Poppi at St. Charles Motorsports in St. Charles, Illinois to
find a buyer. The car soon changed hands and eventually the Turbo
made its way to a dealer in Memphis, Tennessee. Collector,
restorer, and longtime Porsche Club of America member John Hirt
purchased it and after a few years sold it to another enthusiast.
Having missed it dearly, he bought it back in the early 2000s. It
has been driven sparingly since. The consignor states that the
engine was rebuilt during his second ownership by Pat Williams
Motorsports in Memphis. This RUF is supplied with its original
Blaupunkt Reno SQR 46 stereo and incredible early documentation.
The odometer currently reads 37,472 miles, which the consignor
believes is correct. RUFs of any sort rarely come to market; here
is an opportunity for the Porsche enthusiast seeking a taste of the
best.