1984 RUF Modified Porsche 911 'RUF RSR'

$225,000

status

Sold

Processing Final Bids...

Number of Bids

All Exterior Interior Engine Trunk Underside

At a Glance

Location
Los Angeles, CA
Vehicle Make/Model
Porsche RUF RSR
Vin No.
WP0AB0919ES121843

Exterior
Tornado Red
Interior
Black Recaro Racing Seats
Mileage
6,624 miles
Engine
3,800 CC Twin-Turbo Flat-6
Engine No.
61T02477

Transmission
6-Speed Manual
Power
700+BHP at 6,800 RPM
Suspension
4-Wheel Independent
Brakes
4-Wheel Disc - Porsche 993 Front and RUF BTR Rear

The 1984 Porsche 911 ‘RUF RSR’

Infamously named ‘RUF RSR’ this Porsche started its life as a US spec 1984 911 Carrera Turbo-Look coupe, finished in paint-to-sample Tornado Red over black interior, being purchased new in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Upon delivery, the owner contracted Tore Johnson, the U.S. RUF importer and builder in Long Beach, California, to build this new Carrera 3.2 to RUF BTR specification.

Modifications included engine displacement being increased to 3.4-liters, conversion to twin-plug ignition, installation of a turbocharger, quad-pipe exhaust system, RUF 5-speed manual transmission, Recaro leather seats, RUF instrument clusters and steering wheel, Simpson race harness, and RUF 5-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels.

The vision for this build didn't simply end with power upgrades from RUF, however. Once completed, this Porsche left the US based RUF workshop for Alan Johnson Racing in San Diego. Well known for his competition focused Porsche builds and racing program, Johnson was contracted to craft an alloy body for the BTR inspired by the Porsche 935. In the hands of Alan Johnson Racing, the BTR received full custom coachwork. Along with receiving a full roll cage, the transformation into a street legal track car was complete with nearly 400HP and a body resembling a 935 LeMans racer.

Once completed, the car rolled 2,000 miles on the odometer showing at events and mildly being used at track days around Illinois and Wisconsin. Identified as the RUF RSR, the car would be road tested and recognized in the book The World's Fastest Cars in 1989. Shortly after the build was completed, the owner of this Porsche would become the U.S. distributor for RUF parts and components.

With direct access to RUF, this project remained at the leading edge of RUF Automobile GmbH's innovations. Upon the introduction of the company's new 3.5L motor, it was decided that the old 3.4L unit would be pulled out after only powering the car for 2,000 miles. Unfortunately, during the new platform's first track outing, the engine failed, and the car was left immobile. The project remained dormant from this point on, sitting for over 20 years before being sold as-is to a nearby Chicago collector, and current owner, in 2015.

Upon purchase, the RUF RSR was left in the hands of Perfect Power, a shop widely known in the Porsche community for their history of high performance road cars and successful racing efforts, to get this magnificent car back in running order. Although many of the original engine parts for the car are still present, including the crank case, it was decided that the project would be best served by sourcing an entirely new engine. As such, a twin-turbo 3.8L engine built by Protomotive found its new home in the back of the 911 mated to RUF's later 6-speed transmission. This fire breathing motor now puts out over 700BHP to the wheels at full boost. The staggering power output provides insane performance on track while remaining reliable and usable for regular road use. The proven success of this RUF RSR was exemplified in a cross-country drive from Chicago to Los Angeles for the Luftgekuhlt Porsche show in 2017 where the car made the trip effortlessly.

Today, this ever evolving project presents beautifully, with the chassis having covered less than 10,000 miles since its delivery in 1984. The custom alloy body and paint work remain untouched since being modified by Alan Johnson Racing and the interior still wears its RUF gauge cluster. The car also comes with its original, numbers matching crank case and other miscellaneous engine parts from its progression from a 3.2L to 3.4L and then 3.5L engine. Early RUFs are eminently hard to come by, and this one-off example offers a chance to own a part of the company's early development history.

Exterior

The slope nose 935-style exterior, is hand crafted in aluminum. It exhibits minimal signs of aging, and is accident free. The paint color is Tornado Red, a custom order by the original owner specifying the Audi color. Its condition is still glossy, with minimal stone chipping on the nose, and has no significant scratches or door dings on the flanks. The center section of the car, including the trunk lid, roof, sun roof, and all interior jambs, still retains its factory Tornado Red finish while the coachwork by Alan Johnson Racing still retains the paint laid on the car in the mid-80’s.

Interior

The familiar Porsche 911 interior is augmented with a few distinct upgrades. Two Recaro Sport bucket seats with black cloth trim were installed at the time of the engine upgrade, along with the suede-rimmed Momo Monte Carlo 320mm steering wheel. In addition to the full roll cage, red M&R six-point racing harnesses were installed. Along with the full complement of normal 911 gauges, an Innovate LED air/fuel ratio meter is mounted to the roll bar along the driver side A-pillar. The stereo installed is a period-correct Blaupunkt Monterey with am/fm/cassette.

Drive Train

The car has been through a three separate spec builds. Currently the remarkable details would include a Protomotive built, 993 based 3.8-liter twin turbo motor producing more than 700HP. Much of the remaining upgrades are the RUF spec build and upgrades – Brembo brakes from a RUF CTR, cross drilled and vented, custom valved shocks with increased spring rates, and an X-brace mounted in the frunk for added chassis rigidity. The car presently sits on BBS 17” wheels, running Michelin Pilot Sport tires in good condition.