1989 RUF CTR Yellowbird

This is a full conversion model completed by RUF, featuring a CTR-spec engine and built on the wider turbo body for enhanced stability and aerodynamics. The interior was also entirely crafted by RUF.

The RUF CTR, known as the "Yellow Bird," emerged in 1987 as a groundbreaking performance car based on the Porsche 911 Carrera. Created by RUF Automobile, it quickly gained a reputation as one of the fastest and most capable vehicles of its time.

The CTR’s performance placed it above many of its peers. It could outpace cars like the Ferrari Testarossa and Lamborghini Countach in most scenarios. While the Porsche 959 had a quicker 0-60 mph time, the CTR excelled in the 0-100 mph sprint, outperforming even the Ferrari F40 and Lamborghini Diablo. With a top speed of 213 mph (342 km/h), it set a new standard for road cars. In a 1987 “Road & Track” fastest car test, the CTR reached 339.8 km/h, breaking records and later besting its own achievement.

On the track, the CTR was just as impressive. It held the unofficial Nürburgring-Nordschleife lap record for several years, showcasing its exceptional handling and engineering.

The car’s performance stemmed from an extensively modified 3.2-liter air-cooled flat-six engine. RUF enhanced the engine by enlarging the intake system, adding twin turbochargers, a Bosch fuel injection system, and custom-built intercoolers. These upgrades produced a guaranteed minimum output of 469 PS, with peak figures reaching up to 510 BHP in ideal conditions.

The RUF CTR remains an icon of high performance, remembered for its blistering speed, engineering innovation, and rarity. It continues to hold a revered place in automotive history.