Made to order
When you think of Ruf Automobile, the image is clear: Porsche 911, in all its variations. But when a good customer opens their wallet wide, Pfaffenhausen is happy to broaden its horizons. At the end of the 1980s, Lee Kun-Hee, then chairman of Samsung and one of the world’s most important collectors, wanted a Porsche 928 from Ruf. Alois Ruf is never averse to a good deal, so he got hold of the raw body of a 928 S4 – and built the only 928R from it, including the much sought-after W09 chassis number (W09ZZZ50ZKPR06001, to be precise).
The Korean had a few extra requests: an electric sunroof, air conditioning in the back, cruise control, and a tinted windshield. The vehicle was painted black, the interior was wine red, and there was a three-spoke steering wheel with Alcantara and a few Ruf insignia. And, of course, the 5-liter V8 was given a little power boost in Pfaffenhausen, delivering at least 360 hp instead of 320, with maximum torque also increasing by around 10 percent. The 928R was equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
After the death of Lee Kun-Hee (October 25, 2020), who had a rather relaxed attitude toward donating money to politicians, the 928R returned to Ruf. There it underwent a slight overhaul, receiving new rims, ceramic brakes, and a new exhaust system. The vehicle has only 1,568 miles on the odometer and will be auctioned by Gooding Christies on Amelia Island in 2026, with an expected price of between $400,000 and $500,000.
Of course, we have a test drive report of a very mundane Porsche 928 S4 here. And there are more exciting vehicles in the archive.
Be First to Comment