Ruf CTR3

The Different One

Today, all this is no longer a problem. Four-wheel drive and, above all, electronic aids can fix it, but there were times when the most powerful versions of the Porsche 911 reached the limits of driving safety. Of course, it is the classic rear engine that makes the 911 an icon in the first place, but in earlier models, it tends to oversteer, which not all customers could always handle. Porsche was always aware of this, a lot was invested, there was the Boxster/Cayman, and they also thought about turning the 911 into a mid-engine sports car. But then they didn’t, because, well, image, icon and all that. Alois Ruf and his team didn’t have to worry about that much. In the noughties, the people in Pfaffenhausen were in the process of emancipating themselves from Porsche and bringing more of their own input into the Ruf automobiles. The CTR3 was a radical departure, a very unique model that was not based on a Porsche platform for the first time, but on an in-house development together with the Canadian racing car specialists from Multimatic.

Although the CTR3, which was introduced in 2007, is about the same size as a 911 from that time (997), with external dimensions of 4.45 metres long, 1.94 metres wide and 1.2 metres high, the wheelbase (2.62 metres) and track were significantly increased. The 3.7-litre six-cylinder boxer engine was also largely of its own design, with its two KKK turbos producing 701 hp and 889 Nm of maximum torque at 4000 rpm in its first form. With a kerb weight of 1,400 kilos, the Ruf CTR3 accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and was theoretically capable of speeds of over 370 km/h. Like its predecessors, the legendary CTR ‘Yellowbird’ and the no-less-fierce CTR2, the new model was also one of the fastest cars in the world, back in the day. 650,000 euros was the minimum transfer amount, and probably 30 units were sold between 2007 and 2012. And no, it’s not really that beautiful; the people in Pfaffenhausen certainly understand more about technology than about design.

One of these bears the chassis number W09BM03879PR06002 and will be auctioned at RM Sotheby’s in Miami at the end of February 2025. This CTR3 is estimated to be worth between 1 and 1.3 million dollars, and is offered with the following description: «This CTR3 offered here is one of an estimated 31 CTR3 examples completed thus far by RUF since 2008; it is, unsurprisingly, a personalised and hand-built creation. The attractive colour combination of Chroma Flash Hologram Matte paintwork over Sport Red leather is further complemented by a suite of additional specifications which distinguish it as a particularly bespoke product. This CTR3 was ordered in May of 2007 by a prominent Southern California collector and specially outfitted with Stone Grey carpets, Grey Alcantara trim, a hydraulically adjustable front axle, TPMS interface, extended navigation module, telephone module, and six-disc CD changer. Interestingly, the door card mounted to the chassis indicates that this CTR3 did not reach the United States—and thus the stable of its first owner—until after May 2010, well after its original scheduled delivery of April 2008. Historic imagery indicates that, at some point after 2013 and while under previous ownership, the six-point racing harnesses originally fitted to this chassis were replaced by standard-specification seatbelts. Under current ownership, this CTR3 was treated to more than $22,000 in major mechanical servicing by marque specialist Orbit Racing of Riviera Beach, Florida. In addition to new tires, spark plugs, ignition coils, fluids, filters, and seals, the car was fitted with a full suite of gearbox components sourced directly from RUF including a new clutch, double-mass flywheel, and clutch plates. The twin turbochargers were also entirely gone through, and following this service regimen this CTR3 was dynoed and subjected to additional DME tuning to ensure proper performance. Sparingly driven over the past decade, each of this CTR3’s previous owners have added very few miles to its odometer; at the time of cataloguing, it had covered only 1,827 miles since delivery.»

But that wasn’t the end of the story. In 2012, the Clubsport came along with 777 hp and 980 Nm of maximum torque, as well as a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Seven of these are said to have been built by 2023 (plus perhaps another seven as the basis for the Lykan HyperSport?). The design was better, we show VIN W09BM0388JPR06022.