- This flamboyant GTR Yellowbird has been driven just 1,673 km since new.
- Power comes from a 3.4-liter twin-turbo flat-six with 463 hp and 408 lb-ft.
- This CTR Yellowbird is number 26 of the 29 units that were built.
Ruf has built some incredible cars over the years, but none are more iconic than the original GTR, affectionately known as the Yellowbird. While it may look like a relatively humble Porsche 911, it was once the world’s fastest production car, capable of hitting 213 mph (342 km/h) and outpacing legends like the Ferrari F40 and Porsche 959.
Only 29 examples were ever made, and as evidence of how highly prized it is, one sold for $6.055 million last week at Gooding&Company.
Read: There Are Special Porsches And Then There’s This Ruf CTR2
This particular Ruf CTR Yellowbird is chassis number 26 and was one of just nine finished in the distinctive shade of yellow that has since become synonymous with the car. It has also been specced with the Leichtbau package, which means the hood, doors, and front fenders are made from lightweight aluminum. There’s also an aluminum roll cage, Recaro seats, and a Blaupunkt audio system.
Photos Gooding&Company
What makes this Yellowbird even more coveted is its mileage—or lack thereof. With just 1,673 km (1,039 miles) on the clock, this car is likely the lowest-mileage example still in existence. The auction house mentions that the seller regularly runs the car to operating temperature and changes the fluids, so it should be in prime running condition, unlike the many other cars languishing in garages, only to turn into dusty relics.
Complete and Immaculate
On top of its pristine condition, this Yellowbird comes with all the original accessories: tool kit, jack, tire inflator, owner’s manual, and warranty book. It’s like stepping into a time capsule, but without the musty smell.
To create a 911-based car unlike any other, Ruf started out with a 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 and completely transformed the engine. The flat-six now displaces 3.4 liters, featuring new turbochargers and upgraded intercoolers. The result? A meaty 463 horsepower and 408 lb-ft (553 Nm) of torque, all sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. It was a monster at the time, and it still holds its ground today
When the CTR debuted, its starting price was $147,800—or roughly $399,605 in today’s dollars adjusted for inflation. Fast forward to now, and its value has skyrocketed, as this particular example is now worth 41 times or 1,401% more than its original MSRP. That’s one hell of an investment, if you’re into cars that can break the sound barrier and set records, that is.
