Vehicle Description
1990 RUF BTR III
VIN: W09TA434XLPR06013
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<font size = "4">1 registered owner!
Research from experts indicate less than 10 Slantnose examples
built
The most advanced and powerful Ruf BTR - Version III
Extremely rare RUF VIN BTR - approx. 25 total made worldwide
<font size = "4">12,749 original miles - Documented
maintenance history since new
Stunning Grand Prix White and black leather interior
combination
3.4L turbocharged RUF flat six engine - 408hp
Porsche 962-based Bosch Motronic engine management
RUF 6-speed manual transmission
With the arrival of RUF's newest design, the BTR, RUF began gaining
critical acclaim and a worldwide reputation as a highly regarded
Porsche tuning house. Starting with humble beginnings as a small
repair shop in Pfaffenhausen, Germany, Ruf Automobile GmbH
transformed over the years into a manufacturing and tuning firm,
creating excellent modified Porsches and eventually their own
vehicles from the ground up. The BTR started at and was inspired by
the FIA's Group B regulations, employing the 930 Turbo body and
935-sourced engine internals as a starting point, yielding a 375
horsepower and 190-mph sports car, tested against the likes of
Ferrari, Lamborghini, and even the cars that RUF based theirs on,
Porsche.
While RUF did provide BTR upgrades to individuals with their own
Porsche vehicles already, RUF had a special relationship with the
Porsche factory that allowed them to do things a bit differently
than many other companies. RUF was able to purchase "bodies in
white" directly from Porsche, without a Porsche VIN. This allowed
RUF to inscribe their own chassis number, starting in "W09" and
build their cars from the ground up. While the exact number of BTR
examples produced is not known, it is estimated that there are less
than 25 examples of BTR vehicles built on bespoke RUF chassis,
during their entire production run from 1984 until 1993. This
includes early iterations of the BTR, to the most advanced and
powerful examples like this car, the BTR IIIs, making them
exceptionally rare. Research from experts indicate that less than
10 Slantnose examples were built on a RUF W09 chassis.
This 1990 RUF BTR III "Slantnose" was sold to the Canada RUF dealer
in March of 1990 according to the car's certificate of origin. In
addition to the rare body configuration that was often reserved for
Porsche's own Sonderwunsch (special wishes) department, which
included the Porsche 935-esque Slantnose and Turbo S rear air
ducts, the car was spec'd in the stunning Grand Prix white,
matching white RUF wheels by Speedline, and a black leather
interior.
The BTR III's piece de resistance of course is its 3.4L flat six,
air-cooled engine developed by RUF producing 408 horsepower. A
single K27 turbocharger builds boost, with power control being
carried out by a Bosch DME Motronic engine derived from Porsche's
own legendary endurance racer, the Porsche 962. Press outlets in
period noted that BTR III builds in this specification were capable
of excess of 205 miles per hour. An exceptional engine requires an
exceptional transmission, and RUF's own 6-speed manual transmission
developed in-house provides plenty of gearing for maximum speeds.
This BTR III also included the fitment of air conditioning, Recaro
CSE seats, an Alpine sound system, power windows, 17-inch Speedline
alloy wheels, sport mirrors, and a leather wrapped sports steering
wheel along with bespoke instrumentation including a boost
gauge.
In September of 1993 the RUF BTR III was purchased from J.S.
Automobiles and went to its first and only registered caretaker
with 2,984 miles. This caretaker would keep the car in their
possession for over 20 years, with documented maintenance since new
ensuring the car was taken care of and was in optimal condition.
Amassing just barely under 10,000 miles over 20 years, the RUF BTR
III was maintained and remained in exceptional original
condition.
Upon arriving at Canepa, the 1990 RUF BTR III was thoroughly
inspected as part of the "Canepa Difference" process, ensuring that
all mechanical systems are sound and that all cosmetic surfaces are
addressed and detailed to the highest level. The care provided by
the 1st caretaker was easily shown by the condition of the RUF BTR
III, from the all original black leather interior to the fantastic
Grand Prix white paint, and how the fit and finish doesn't describe
a 35 year old car but a much younger one. Regardless, the car was
placed into Canepa's system and the work began. The RUF's underside
was completely cleaned by hand to a concours level, from top to
bottom, ensuring that all surfaces were as clean as when the car
was delivered, revealing the factory finishes were in like-new
condition. After being lowered back onto the ground, a multi-step
foam pad polishing was performed by Canepa's automotive artisans to
carefully enhance the RUF's Grand Prix White paint finish. The all
original interior was given the same attention to detail, and over
the course of several weeks the car was ready to be entered into
any concours event.
RUF's worldwide reputation for performance tuning and manufacturing
vehicles with Porsche roots, this 1990 RUF BTR III is an
exceptional example that has been well-cared for and is in
exceptional condition. With the rare "Slantnose" specification and
Turbo S rear air ducts, this 408HP sledgehammer of a RUF offers a
distinctive point of RUF's journey towards tuning perfection. With
only 12,749 miles since new, documented maintenance throughout its
life, and only 1 registered caretaker, this RUF BTR III is a rare
opportunity for someone to enjoy the full RUF experience, straight
out of the late 1980s.
