RUF Yellowbird for Sale at Broad Arrow Air|Water Auction
Broad Arrow Auctions will be featuring a 1989 RUF CTR “Yellowbird” at the upcoming Porsche Air|Water Auction later this month. Introduced in 1987, the RUF CTR was a trailblazing supercar that set new standards for performance. This vehicle evolved from the Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2, with substantial modifications by German manufacturer RUF Automobile AG to create a lightweight, powerful car.
Alois Ruf Jr., the owner of the company, selected the Carrera 3.2 specifically because of its lighter frame and superior aerodynamics compared to the then-current 911 Turbo model. Factory body panels were substituted with aluminum parts, a roll cage was incorporated for increased rigidity and safety, and both the suspension and braking systems underwent significant enhancements.
At the core of the Yellowbird lay a heavily modified 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine. It included larger cylinders, utilized a Bosch DME fuel injection system originally used on the Porsche 962 race car, and employed custom-made turbochargers paired with dual intercoolers. The engine delivered an impressive output of 469 horsepower and 408 lb-ft of torque, channeling power to the rear wheels via a specialized five-speed manual transmission crafted by RUF. Thanks to its relatively low weight (around 2,535 lbs) coupled with high power, it achieved remarkable performance stats such as accelerating from 0-60 mph in just 3.65 seconds and achieving a top speed exceeding 210 mph.
RUF Yellowbird Significance
The RUF CTR Yellowbird swiftly gained international recognition when it competed in Road & Track magazine’s “World’s Fastest Cars” competition in 1987. Not only did it emerge victorious, but it also earned its distinctive nickname due to its striking yellow color against the cloudy skies during the photoshoot. Its documented top speed of 211 mph established it as the fastest production car globally at that time.
Its legendary status was further reinforced by the release of “Faszination on the Nürburgring” in 1989, a video capturing RUF test driver Stefan Roser expertly drifting the Yellowbird around the challenging Nürburgring Nordschleife. This mesmerizing display captivated car enthusiasts worldwide and cemented the CTR’s legacy in automotive history. A total of 29 CTR models were constructed directly by RUF, alongside an estimated additional 20-30 Porsche Carreras converted by customers to match CTR specifications.
This particular Yellowbird, chassis number 023, is noted for its exceptional performance and classic Blütengelb Yellow paintwork. It is a “one-of-one” model, uniquely outfitted with a special lightweight interior and a desirable RUF-designed six-speed transmission. The RUF Zertifikat issued in 2016 confirms that the car retains 100% of its original paint, with only a minor repair in the engine bay, along with its matching numbers engine and transmission.
What's This RUF Yellowbird Worth?
Broad Arrow Auctions estimates this will sell for $4,500,000 – $5,500,000 at auction. We witnessed a world record price set by Gooding and Company when the 1989 RUF CTR “Yellowbird” they offered was sold for $6,055,000. That car was chassis number 026 and got the attention of everyone in attendance that day. We expect chassis 023 to be no different and it may just be the right amount of time since the Amelia Island auctions for the underbidder to be ready to pay even more for their dream car this time around.