Vehicle Description
Chassis No. WP0ZZZ91ZHS120114
Engine No. 64H00267
In recent decades, fans of the perennially popular Porsche 911
platform have had no shortage of new tuners and manufacturers,
namely Singer and Gunther Werks, willing to refresh or all-out
reimagine the classic 911 shape. However, none of these names
approach the heritage nor the unmatched reputation of RUF
Automobile of Pfaffenhausen, Germany, a company tracing its lineage
back to 1939, who have been servicing and modifying Porsche
automobiles nearly as long as the Stuttgart firm has produced them,
in addition to creating bespoke models since 1977. The RUF legend
was cemented with the famous world-record-setting CTR "Yellowbird"
of 1987, achieving a top speed of 211 miles per hour, and the firm
has continued to push the limits of performance with refined
iterations of each successive 911 generation ever since.
The RUF Carrera 3.4 presented here began to take shape in 2018 when
a private client-seeking to combine the timeless lines of the 1974
3.0-liter RSR with a "one-off character"-commissioned RUF's
Pfaffenhausen workshop to create what would become the
"Goldfinger." The ambitious project began life as a U.S.-market
1987 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe, with its original U.S. chassis
number identified as WP0AB0917HS120114 in a warranty manual dated
26 October 1986. A VIN Analytics Report reveals that the 911 was
completed on 22 August 1986, finished in Grand Prix White over a
Leather-to-Sample Can-Can Red interior with the following options:
Forged Alloy Wheels, Wheel Centers in Grand Prix White,
Electrically Height-Adjustable Sport Seats Left and Right, Cruise
Control, and an Electric Sliding Sunroof.
The accompanying clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report begins in
1990, showing the Porsche as registered in Utah with just over
34,000 kilometers. Subsequent registrations show the car spent time
in Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, and Nevada before being exported to
Germany out of Houston, Texas, in 2013. Upon arriving in Germany,
the car received its current, German chassis number:
WP0ZZZ91ZHS120114. By 2017, the 911 was registered in Sweden with
plate number "YJC868," where it was purchased, inspected, and then
driven 16 hours from Malm� directly to Southern Germany.
The car arrived at RUF's facility already wearing aftermarket
RSR-style wide fenders and an RSR-style front bumper with central
oil cooler. Rather than replacing this period look, RUF's craftsmen
carefully integrated tasteful upgrades to the existing silhouette,
including fabricating an integrated roll cage, shaving off the rain
gutters, and fitting a bespoke rear bumper-complete with parking
sensors-to accommodate a custom exhaust system. The RSR's
distinctive fixed "whale tail" rear wing was omitted in favor of a
retractable 964-era spoiler that rises at speed, preserving the
classic 911 profile.
Once the body was complete, the 911's exterior was transformed with
multiple coats of 991-generation Lime Gold Metallic paint, at which
point Marcel Ruf himself began referring to the project by the name
"Goldfinger"-evoking the James Bond villain and the car's striking
golden appearance-which quickly took hold. The wide wheel arches
were filled with a set of staggered-width Fuchs alloy wheels (17 by
9-inch front, 10-inch rear) shod in Toyo high-performance tires.
Inside, the cabin blends classic ergonomics with bespoke materials:
a gold Alcantara headliner, carbon-fiber bucket seats trimmed in
buffalo dark brown hides with Pepita Houndstooth-pattern fabric
inserts, and gold-thread stitching throughout. A retro-look RUF
entertainment system occupies the dashboard, providing FM/DAB
radio, navigation, and Bluetooth hands-free functionality, while a
modern heating and air-conditioning system ensures a comfortable
cabin year-round.
Underneath, RUF's engineers completely disassembled the 3.2-liter
flat-six engine and increased its displacement to 3.4 liters. This
enhancement along with a freer-breathing exhaust resulted in a
power output of 270 horsepower-a 39-horsepower improvement over the
stock engine's 231 horsepower. The G50 five-speed transmission was
retained but paired with an upgraded clutch capable of handling the
increased output. The suspension and braking systems were also
overhauled, receiving in-house dampers and RUF CTR large-diameter
drilled and ventilated disc brakes with adjustable brake balance.
Steering remained unassisted to preserve the cherished driver
engagement characteristic of classic 911s.
The build was completed in the summer of 2018 at a total cost of
€396,099.09, excluding the cost of the donor car. The exciting
project then spent years in the collection of an avid
Michigan-based Porsche enthusiast before transitioning to the
respected Southern California-based collection where it currently
resides. With its distinctive Lime Gold Metallic finish,
RSR-inspired silhouette, meticulously executed mechanical upgrades
and modern comforts, this RUF Carrera 3.4 exudes both presence and
practicality. Offered with fewer than 5,000 kilometers since its
completion, Goldfinger is a turn-key masterpiece of German tuning
ready to be enjoyed for its thrilling performance, perfectly
reflecting RUF's commitment to "engineering excellence,
authenticity, passion and raw driving."
