1986 Porsche 911 Turbo Flatnose RUF BTR

Anyone who followed the "World Championship of Makes" (essentially an international championship for long-distance Sports Car racing), will remember their surprise at the shape of the new 935 when it first appeared at Mugello in March 1976. Subsequently, these 'Flachbau' or 'Flatnose' 935s and 936s were to prove very competitive in the hands of drivers such as Ickx, Mass and Stommelen and during the next two seasons managed four victories in eight World Championship races and a triumph at Le Mans in each year. However, Porsche began to worry that all these victories by the works Flatnose cars might alienate the vast number of private clients who were investing their own money in conventionally shaped competition 911s, and decided to restrict their efforts for 1978 to an entry at Le Mans. The distinctive look of the 'Flachbau' (literally translated as Low Build) obviously retained its appeal in the minds of their road car customers and from 1985 until early 1989, UK Porsche 930 buyers could specify their car in this style to special order.

This 1986 Porsche 911 Turbo was built on the 2nd of December 1986, and dispatched through Porsche in the Netherlands it was well optioned from new, the most obvious of course being its distinctive body shape.

As if a Flatnose 911 Turbo didn't stand out from the crowd enough, early in the cars life it was sent to world renowned Porsche tuners RUF, who are the only recognised partner of Porsche and, in fact, are recognised by the German government as a manufacturer in their own right. The customer opted for a BTR conversion (B = Group B, T = Turbo, R = RUF).

The basics of the RUF BTR start with the engine, which had the original partially finned cylinder barrels replaced by ones with air-cooling fins around their complete diameter. The bore was increased giving a new displacement of 3.4 litres from the original 3.3litres. Ruf added unique Mahle Pistons and connecting rods and 935 type camshafts. The intake manifold was replaced, as was the exhaust, A larger KKK K27 unit replaced the turbo, and a larger free flowing intercooler was added along with the installation of a larger oil cooler behind the Ruf front spoiler. Ruf also went to great lengths to modify the standard Porsche 930 4-speed by adding a 5th gear with the help of Getrag. Next, the shift linkage was improved, becoming both lighter and more positive than the stock unit. The cars were lowered and the suspension was stiffened, RUF also fitted single-piece forged rims, sized 9x17 and 10x17. Inside, RUF added an adjustable boost control, changed the steering wheel to a Ruf item, and added custom gauges and a half cage. This car has also at some point been fitted with Clubsport seats from a 996 GT3.

The conversion produced some rousing statistics: Power increased from 300bhp to 374bhp, top speed reached 187mph, and 0 to 60mph was reached in a staggering 4.4 secs. It was at this point a Ruf BTR became the fastest accelerating production car ever. Ruf had even bettered the performance figures for Porsche's own Group B Le Mans car!

The Managing Director of a highly esteemed Porsche Specialist previously owned this particular vehicle for 17 years and, we understand has been developed even further to produce around 500bhp.

This distinctive Porsche is presented with all its paperwork which is available to view, and has recently been prepared for sale by Porsche Centre Leeds. A true 80's Poster girl, outstanding looks with ballistic performance, easily a match for any modern day supercar.