1989 RUF CTR Yellowbird for sale at RM Sothebys Monterey

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 16.08.2018

A rare chance to own number 10 of the original 29 RUF CTR Yellowbirds

RUF’s claim to fame came in the form of the July 1987 issue of Road & Track magazine.

The article was titled "The World’s Fastest Cars" and featured a top speed test of the eras most cutting-edge supercars, including: the Ferrari 288 GTO, Lamborghini Countach, Mercedes-AMG 300E "Hammer", and even the Porsche 959  (former world’s fastest production car).

The RUF CTR won out that battle, blasting past the first timing clock in fifth gear at 311.9kph – and still accelerating from a standing start.

The car’s distinctive bright yellow hue amongst the sea of silvers, reds and blues – as well as its utter domination of the test, earned it the "Yellowbird" nickname amongst the journos and RUF staff in attendance.

Thanks to auction house, RM Sothebys, you now have the rare chance to own one!

RUF built just 29 cars originally, though it is understood that a further 20-30 were converted for customers who provided their own Carreras.

This car is number 10 of those original 29 cars, originally a narrow-body Carrera 3.2.

RUF bored out the engine to 3.4lts, added two turbos and intercoolers, as well as a fuel-injection system originally designed for the Porsche 962 racecar.

This black-over-grey CTR is also fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox; and is largely original, never crashed or restored - with just 52,200kms on the odometer since it was delivered new on February 10, 1989.

The car will sold via RM Sothebys at this year’s Monterey Auction during Car Week. The pre-auction estimate has been set between AUD$1.3 million to AUD$1.6 million.

A similar black RUF CTR was sold by RM Sothebys in 2016, with an ultimate sale price of AUD$352,000 – though air-cooled Porsches have skyrocketed across the board since then, and many see the legendary Yellowbird as the absolute pinnacle of air-cooled Porsches.

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