Ultra-Rare Ruf CTR Yellowbird Fetches Over $6M at Auction!

One of the rarest and most coveted performance cars ever built has just changed hands for a staggering sum. The 26th of only 29 Ruf CTR Yellowbirds ever produced was recently sold at Gooding & Company's Amelia Island auction for an eye-watering $6 million (approximately £4.6 million). That price tag may raise some eyebrows, but this Yellowbird commanded such a premium for plenty of reasons.

A Time Capsule on Wheels

A major factor behind the jaw-dropping price is the odometer reading: just 1,040 miles. That makes this particular CTR one of the lowest-mileage examples in existence if not the lowest. Add in the fact that it’s a Ruf, and you’ve got a perfect storm of rarity and desirability. Ruf-built cars hold a legendary status among enthusiasts, combining Porsche DNA with extreme performance and meticulous engineering.

Unlike many high-performance classics that rack up hard miles on the track, this CTR Yellowbird has been preserved with the utmost care. Its original owner stored it in a climate-controlled facility, ensuring that time had little effect on its pristine condition. The second owner took maintenance just as seriously, regularly bringing the engine up to operating temperature to keep it mechanically sound.

A Masterpiece of Performance Engineering

The Ruf CTR Yellowbird is based on the Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2, but the transformation it undergoes is nothing short of spectacular. To reduce weight, Ruf replaced the factory steel doors, hood, and engine cover with lightweight aluminum panels, shedding an impressive 180kg. Aerodynamic enhancements followed, including reworked bumpers, streamlined mirrors, and significantly flared rear wheel arches.

The real magic, however, lies beneath the skin. Powering the Yellowbird is a 3.4-liter air-cooled flat-six engine, enhanced with twin turbochargers and a Bosch fuel injection system derived from the Porsche 962 a race car that dominated Le Mans three times. Ruf also engineered its six-speed manual transmission, a significant upgrade at the time, considering Porsche’s stock 911 only came with a four-speed gearbox.

Performance That Redefined Supercars

This CTR Yellowbird isn’t just an icon; it’s a performance benchmark. Thanks to its lightweight construction and a power output of 463 bhp and 408 lb-ft of torque, it rockets from 0-62 mph in under four seconds. Even more impressive, it boasts a top speed of 211 mph, making it the fastest car in the world when it debuted. That kind of speed isn’t just theoretical this car proved its capabilities at the Nürburgring, where it became a legend.

This particular chassis, number 26, comes equipped with the desirable Leichtbau (lightweight) package. That means even more aluminum in the bodywork, a leather-wrapped roll cage, and Recaro bucket seats with harnesses. Surprisingly, it still retains a radio because even speed demons enjoy some tunes.

A Legacy That Endures

As only the third owner of this rare machine, the buyer now holds a piece of automotive history. Whether they’ll put it through its paces on the Nürburgring or keep it as a collector’s gem remains to be seen. Regardless, Ruf boss Alois Ruf himself couldn’t be prouder of the Yellowbird’s legacy.

“The cultural impact of the Yellowbird could not be overstated, and we are so proud of its lasting influence that struck in awe an entire generation of enthusiasts and reinvented the benchmark for a modern performance supercar,” he said.

With its blend of history, engineering brilliance, and outright performance, the Ruf CTR Yellowbird remains one of the most remarkable cars ever built now with a price tag that proves it.