Broad Arrow Auctions, in partnership with Air|Water and Luftgekühlt, is happy 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 characteristic an elite choice 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 essential to know RUF as an organization, the way it was based, and what it means to the automotive world as an entire. With its origins in 1939, RUF was based by Alois Ruf, Sr. as a service storage, nevertheless it wasn’t till 1987 that the agency made its mark and really grew to become what it’s right this moment, with Alois, Jr. on the helm—an engineer whose mandate to his staff was all the time to develop extra horsepower per liter than some other producer and to engineer the easiest driving expertise, regardless of the automobile’s visible look or design. In contrast to its opponents, RUF just isn’t a modifier, it’s an outright producer, whose vehicles carry the critically essential “W09” designation of their VINs—particular to the marque and to the vehicles.
Given their dedication to ground-up manufacturing, the whole manufacturing numbers are unsurprisingly very small. Previously 37 years because the CTR Yellowbird was launched, Ruf had solely constructed about 400 complete “W09”-VIN vehicles, up till the introduction of the CTR Anniversary in 2017, for which solely 50 vehicles had been produced worldwide.
The unique CTR’s introduction really took the world by storm. In 1987, Highway & Monitor journal hosted its prime velocity problem at Nardo, together with each notable sports activities automobile producer, which had ready its vehicles very fastidiously. Among the many discipline was the Ferrari F40, essentially the most coveted automobile of its period, which arrived with a claimed (and unheard-of) prime velocity 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 velocity of 211 mph, and certainly it was Highway & Monitor that gave the automobile the moniker “Yellowbird” because of this.
Definitely, the title of “World’s Quickest Automotive” was a groundbreaking achievement for Alois Ruf and his firm. Though this wasn’t his first mannequin, it was definitely the automobile that put his firm on the map and let the world know he was a competitor and a pressure to be reckoned with. Many would argue right this moment that he’s the best up to date automotive engineer of his technology, and whereas his fame preceded him in Asia and Europe for a few years, he has rightfully gained this recognition Stateside over the past decade.
All informed, solely 29 Yellowbirds had been constructed for worldwide distribution. In Porsche phrases, such rarity compares to the 959 Sport, of which solely 29 vehicles had been additionally constructed, and which is by the way thought of essentially the most extremely valued Porsche highway automobile of its form. The McLaren F1, alternatively, was inbuilt comparatively rather more plentiful numbers—64 road vehicles had been inbuilt complete! The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Coupe and Roadster are maybe good comparability factors as nicely, as solely 26 examples had been constructed, as is the Porsche 911 GT1 Strasse, of which 20 examples had been produced.
Of the unique 29 RUF CTRs constructed, 13 are recognized to exist in america. Of the remaining vehicles, they uniformly stay within the palms of among the most essential collectors on the earth, a lot of whom have the means to show down even essentially the most beneficiant provide or for whom the elimination of the Yellowbird would signify the disappearance of the cornerstone of their assortment, and subsequently an untenable proposition. As Alois undoubtedly nears eventual retirement, it’s cheap to assume that very like with Ferrari’s “post-Enzo Period,” RUF will likewise expertise the same phenomenon. Specifically, an appreciation for the period through which Alois himself constructed these unbelievable vehicles, together with the Yellowbird, and a “post-Alois” period which is able to absolutely 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 traditional Blütengelb Yellow paintwork however its “one-of-one” inside because the singular CTR Yellowbird outfitted with a particular mild 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; utterly 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 contemporary instance.
To view extra thrilling vehicles on provide at Broad Arrow’s Porsche Air|Water Public sale, please go to their web site at broadarrowauctions.com and you should definitely register to bid for this thrilling must-attend occasion.
