Broad Arrow Auctions, in partnership with Air|Water and Luftgekühlt, is worked up to host their second all-Porsche Public sale on the 2025 version of Air|Water, the globally acknowledged Porsche fanatic occasion, on 26 April in Costa Mesa, California. This must-attend public sale will function an elite number of uncommon and standout examples from the famend marque together with, this 1989 RUF CTR Yellowbird estimated at $4,500,000 – $5,500,000.
In understanding the legendary Yellowbird, it’s critically vital to grasp RUF as an organization, the way it was based, and what it means to the automotive world as a complete. With its origins in 1939, RUF was based by Alois Ruf, Sr. as a service storage, however it wasn’t till 1987 that the agency made its mark and really turned what it’s at this time, with Alois, Jr. on the helm—an engineer whose mandate to his crew was at all times to develop extra horsepower per liter than some other producer and to engineer the easiest driving expertise, regardless of the automotive’s visible look or design. Not like its opponents, RUF will not be a modifier, it’s an outright producer, whose automobiles carry the critically vital “W09” designation of their VINs—particular to the marque and to the automobiles.
Given their dedication to ground-up manufacturing, the whole manufacturing numbers are unsurprisingly very small. Up to now 37 years because the CTR Yellowbird was launched, Ruf had solely constructed about 400 complete “W09”-VIN automobiles, up till the introduction of the CTR Anniversary in 2017, for which solely 50 automobiles have been produced worldwide.
The unique CTR’s introduction really took the world by storm. In 1987, Highway & Monitor journal hosted its prime pace problem at Nardo, together with each notable sports activities automotive producer, which had ready its automobiles very fastidiously. Among the many subject was the Ferrari F40, probably the most coveted automotive of its period, which arrived with a claimed (and unheard-of) prime pace of 201 mph. The Ruf CTR, alternatively, was pushed to Nardo from Pfaffenhausen straight, not trailered like each different producer. Blowing the doorways off each different competitor on the high-speed ring that day, it reached a prime pace of 211 mph, and certainly it was Highway & Monitor that gave the automotive the moniker “Yellowbird” consequently.
Actually, the title of “World’s Quickest Automobile” was a groundbreaking achievement for Alois Ruf and his firm. Though this wasn’t his first mannequin, it was definitely the automotive that put his firm on the map and let the world know he was a competitor and a drive to be reckoned with. Many would argue at this time that he’s the best up to date automotive engineer of his era, and whereas his popularity preceded him in Asia and Europe for a few years, he has rightfully gained this recognition Stateside during the last decade.
All instructed, solely 29 Yellowbirds have been constructed for worldwide distribution. In Porsche phrases, such rarity compares to the 959 Sport, of which solely 29 automobiles have been additionally constructed, and which is by the way thought of probably the most extremely valued Porsche street automotive of its form. The McLaren F1, alternatively, was inbuilt comparatively far more plentiful numbers—64 road automobiles have been inbuilt complete! The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Coupe and Roadster are maybe good comparability factors as properly, as solely 26 examples have been constructed, as is the Porsche 911 GT1 Strasse, of which 20 examples have been produced.
Of the unique 29 RUF CTRs constructed, 13 are recognized to exist in america. Of the remaining automobiles, they uniformly stay within the fingers of a few of the most vital collectors on the planet, lots of whom have the means to show down even probably the most beneficiant provide or for whom the elimination of the Yellowbird would signify the disappearance of the cornerstone of their assortment, and due to this fact an untenable proposition. As Alois undoubtedly nears eventual retirement, it’s cheap to suppose that very similar to with Ferrari’s “post-Enzo Period,” RUF will likewise expertise an analogous phenomenon. Particularly, an appreciation for the period by which Alois himself constructed these unbelievable automobiles, together with the Yellowbird, and a “post-Alois” period which is able to certainly see continued success for the corporate however solely add additional appreciation for the Yellowbird.
As one of many 29, this specific RUF CTR Yellowbird, chassis quantity 023, is outstanding for not solely its distinctive efficiency, and basic Blütengelb Yellow paintwork however its “one-of-one” inside because the singular CTR Yellowbird outfitted with a particular gentle weight inside. Moreover, it options the fascinating RUF-designed six-speed transmission— an unbelievable mixture of fine style and perception into future desirability from its authentic proprietor. Maybe most spectacular are the notations recorded on its RUF Zertifikat issued in 2016. Signed by Hans Kerler, famous on the doc as the unique builder of 023, the doc states that apart from a minor paint restore within the engine bay accomplished by RUF, it retains “100 % first paint in any other case.” Moreover, it describes the 469 horsepower 3.4-liter flat-six engine and six-speed handbook as “authentic and have matching numbers; fully checked and blue-printed.” The inspection by RUF included an undercarriage cleansing, paint buff, full upkeep, and the set up of latest wheels and tires guaranteeing a near-factory recent instance.
To view extra thrilling automobiles on provide at Broad Arrow’s Porsche Air|Water Public sale, please go to their web site at broadarrowauctions.com and remember to register to bid for this thrilling must-attend occasion.
