Ruf CTR: Spotted

Ruf celebrates 30 years of the Yellowbird with a new one; here's your chance to get an original

Even by the standards of the Geneva motor show, the 2017 expo really was exceptional - the public days promise to be very busy indeed! We finally saw the new Alpine sports car, McLaren Automotive revealed its first replacement product and Bentley even previewed its electric future. That's before mentioning the Ferrari 812 Superfast, Aston new range of motorsport-inspired cars and the E63 Estate.

It's still a Yellowbird if it's green, right?

In fact, put it this way: the new GT3 was, arguably, the second most exciting manual 911 at Geneva. The show was that good. First place must surely go to the Ruf CTR, the 30th anniversary car that resurrects the Yellowbird legend with 710hp, a carbon chassis and a dry weight of 1,200kg. Some have suggested it doesn't look all that, arguing it's a bit of a pastiche, but the mechanical spec sounds spectacular.

Naturally you will have to be quick (and very rich) to get a new CTR, with just 30 being made. But what if you want an original? What if you read that Road and Track story three decades ago when the Yellowbird blitzed all comers? What if you fell in love with the wild Rufs on Gran Turismo, when Porsches weren't on there? And what if you still watch that Stefan Roser lap, wishing you could do the same? Here's the car for you...

This Ruf CTR, affectionately referred to as Kermit's CTR, isn't one of the original Yellowbirds; instead it's one of the factory converted examples built soon after, as evinced by its 1988 build date. Still, it's the same mechanical spec, with somewhere in the region of 500hp and 410lb ft propelling 1,150kg. Remember that was enough to see a CTR hit 211mph, in exactly the same conditions where a 959 did 198mph and a Countach 5000S reached 179mph.

As you might have been able to predict given it has covered 1,000 miles a year for the past 30 years, this car looks immaculate. The paint is spot on, the wheels good and the prominent bolsters are holding up remarkably well. Even the Alcantara hasn't worn too badly from the sweaty palms...

Looks like an old car, goes like a new car

But here's the best bit: in the context of its contemporary rivals, £400,000 doesn't seem all that absurd. Bear with. You're not going to get a 959 for that money, or a 288 GTO, and you can pay £400,000 for a Countach. Heck, this 930 Turbo Slant nose is the same money as the Ruf - no contest, is there?

So yes, we're rather keen on this bright green Ruf. In a world where classic 911s seem to have ludicrous values arbitrarily attached to him, here's one that entirely warrants its reputation and value. With the old Porsche bubble showing no signs of letting up, plus the excitement around the new CTR, now looks like a great time for this Ruf. Hold on tight!

RUF CTR
Engine: 3,366cc, twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 475@5,950rpm
Torque (lb ft): 408@5,100rpm
MPG: Who cares?
CO2: Really?
Recorded mileage: 30,000
Year registered: 1988
Price new: N/A
Price now: £400,000