1998 RUF BTR2 993 Turbo

A RUF-made 'W09' chassis number car, collected new by our vendor from the factory 1 of 5 RHD BTR2 models (18 examples in total) Fastidious ownership and maintenance history 420bhp, 0-62mph 4.1 secs and 191 mph Integrated roll cage Founded in 1939 in Pfaffenhausen, Bavaria, 'RUF Automobile GmbH' is a name now synonymous with Porsche, having produced some of the quickest, most exclusive and certainly the most exciting cars of the last 45 years. In 1974, Alois Ruf Jn. took over his father's enterprise, 'Ruf Auto', a successful bus-manufacturing firm, but young Alois was more interested in sports cars, specifically the Porsche 911. In 1975, the first RUF-enhanced Porsche quickly helped establish them a reputation as one of the best tuners of the marque around. By 1977, RUF had gained further recognition for adding power to the then-new 930 Turbo, establishing themselves as turbocharging maestros, and producing their own 3.3-litre factory-beating version. Since Porsche only produced Turbos with a four-speed gearbox, by 1981 RUF was offering its version with their own five-speed gearbox fitted - perfectly illustrating RUF's self-confidence and belief in their own technical abilities. Such advancements meant that, also in 1981, RUF secured 'manufacturer status' and, when considering any car titled a 'RUF', an important distinction must be made between a 'RUF-built car' and a 'RUF-enhanced car'. Due to being officially recognised as an automobile manufacturer by the German government, every RUF-built car has a VIN starting with 'W09' and is registered as a RUF (not a Porsche). These examples leave the Porsche factory as bodyshells and componentry and are sent straight to RUF to fully re-engineer and assemble from the ground up. In 1983, RUF produced the 'BTR 3.4' (the company's first type-approved car), and the 'BTR' moniker made its first appearance. This turbocharged, 374bhp model was disarmingly discreet and started the RUF theme of offering customers a complete and bespoke RUF-made model in narrow body package (the BTR 3.4 utilised the 911 SC as a platform). The BTR model won many accolades for its performance and reliability and was later joined by its big brother, the CTR, which arrived with some aplomb. In April 1987, RUF's status (and exposure) hit new heights with its participation in 'Road & Track' magazine's top-speed shootout. RUF brought along its newest model, the CTR (Group C Turbo RUF), to Volkswagen's test track at Ehra-Lessien in Germany and there, this rather tame-looking 911 (except for its yellow paint), saw off all the opposition by topping an incredible 211 mph. A photographer named John Lamm witnessed the record and christened the car