Unique car, 935 RUF, Brief History, looking for opinions

[BigRedRuf]

So there are a couple shots of the car. Let me give you a short version of the history of this vehicle.

All of the following is true to the best of my knowledge.

This car was originally 1984 911. The original owner had big goals in mind. He was looking to build a car to beat Yellowbird. Him along with those knowledgeable of this car would say he did just that. Back in the mid and late 80s this car transformed into an extensive RUF enhanced machine. Both cosmetically and mechanically. Some of which included, Front and Rear diffuser, Wheels, 5speed Trans, Suspension, Brakes, Motor, Steering Wheel, Shift Knob, and more.

The car ran beautifully for a short time(few years?), however, the owner, in what I can only imagine was a brief spout of madness, wanted more power. He upgraded the trans to a 6speed that Ruf had just came out with and was looking to throw on some bigger twin turbos.

At some point in stage 2 or stage 3 of upgrades on this vehicle, she fell into hard times. The owner laid his trust in someone and that trust was broken. The car was secretly parted out behind the owners back. Many key parts were sold, including wheels, seats, cam, crank, pistons and a few other parts. This shattered the hopes and dreams the owner had for his car and he stopped any and all progress on the car.

Fast forward a couple decades of the car basically sitting around without a motor, to today. The car is as you see it in pictures above...wheels, seats, and steering wheel replaced. Motorless...

This car seems to be known by very few, however let me share some fun facts with you before I ask for some opinions.

The original owner of this car was once the distributor for Ruf in the United States. He worked with Alois Ruf (Louis Ruf) to build this car.

This car was once driven by Stephan Roser, the man famously known for this Yellowbird Video

This car is featured in a book of the late 80's "The World's Fastest Cars"




So, I was curious what you guys think of this car? Ruf? Porsche? Gray Area?

[BigRedRuf]

[Quicksilver]

Don't really see what the question being asked is.

As a generic answer to ...
It is a well known fact that Ruf doesn't screw around. They will build almost anything a customer asks for as long as it is done correctly. (I saw a "new" E type Jag being assembled at Pfaffenhausen so there is really no limit as long as you bring dollars and allow them to build it to their standards.)

If you have or are thinking of acquiring this car I would suggest that getting Ruf to build a new motor and reassemble it would definitely increase its value and keep it historically relevant. The price tag will be big and it will be as perfect as it ever was.
If you want someone in the US to bring it back to life I would suggest Jerry Woods Enterprises as he has probably the best pedigree with 935 engines in the US.

[sc_rufctr]

A new RUF engine? Oh dear $$$$$$ but if you have the resources then go for it.

It's certainly unique and the "Slope" front end is actually looking better with age IMO.

[BigRedRuf]

Quicksilver, that's pretty much the response I was looking for. I realize my questions were not detailed enough, sorry. I made this post in the wee hours of the night.

I have been considering the importance of rebuilding this car with a Ruf motor. It would be an expensive route, but the value of the car may call for such a thing. I wonder what kind of numbers we are talking about when it comes to the value of this car with Ruf motor VS normal porsche motor. Thanks for the referral of Jerry Woods, I'll look into it.

After discussing this rebuild with others in the Porsche/Ruf world it seems to get the parts needed to keep it period correct could take years to retrieve the pieces needed. Any and all info anyone might have on getting a Ruf engine for this car would be greatly appreciated.

If it truly takes that long to build that engine, I wonder if throwing in a 993 motor in the meanwhile would be a fun route to get some enjoyment out of this car.

[TCracingCA]

Within the last 20 years. If you are an investor looking just to turn it, then i hope you loose your a$$, because i don't like investor mentality! But as an enthusiast, I like it! I don't see what would be so hard if the case/heads are available to rebuild something to a RUF spec. If those aren't around to be purchased, then the car would warrant a hot built engine! Who needs the original rims with the choices available these days? I would put in a race level built 3.3 Turbo!

[BigRedRuf]

I am not an investor looking to flip for a profit. However I am not looking to lose my a$$ either. I'd love to get years of enjoyment out of driving this car and if the time came to sell it in the future I wouldn't want to know my decisions on the build drastically hurt the value of the car.

[oh snap]

If you have the money to give it to Ruf to redo I'm sure they can make it into a beast, either in the original modified spec or using all the advancements that have come up with over the last couple of decades. Lots of money to do this though, and the market can be finicky for these heavily modded cars, especially when they have long stories attached to them, so... no guarantees. If you do it do it because you love it and have the money to burn.

If it were me, I would find a used/lightly modded 930 engine (something like this, no affiliation FS86 Porsche 911 Turbo 930 engine Portalnd OR), get it back on the road, figure out all the other things that it needs and take it from there. I think this is the best risk vs reward ratio.

Looks great. I hope you keep us posted on the progress.

[bkreigsr]

Tread lightly
Looks like two different cars; Peru Red vs. Guards Red, different wheels, fenders, wing, mirrors - to name a few.
Could be a 'tribute' Ruf.
Bill K

[BigRedRuf]

It's not 2 different cars, the fenders, wing are all identical in every picture. It's just photo editing playing tricks on you. All those photos were taken at different times and edited differently.

the wheels are different because they were stolen as stated in the history of the vehicle.

Unless you are comparing to the one photo on the book page of the non-widebody 911... thats the only photo of a different car out of them all.

[MrAlien]

because the cars "claim to fame" is being a Ruf build, it makes sense to call Ruf and see what documentation they have, and have them build you an engine for it. there are plenty of other, cheaper options, but when it comes to value, a Ruf car needs to have a Ruf engine otherwise its just another hot rod 911.

Im not entirely sure, but doubt you will "loose your ass" on this car, especially if its a documented Ruf build (rebuild).

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by MrAlien

because the cars "claim to fame" is being a Ruf build, it makes sense to call Ruf and see what documentation they have, and have them build you an engine for it. there are plenty of other, cheaper options, but when it comes to value, a Ruf car needs to have a Ruf engine otherwise its just another hot rod 911.

Im not entirely sure, but doubt you will "loose your ass" on this car, especially if its a documented Ruf build (rebuild).

This brings up a really good point. Contact Ruf. Alois is a true car nut at heart and a normal part of his business is communicating with lots of people who aren't customers. I asked him specifically about it and his response was pretty clear, "You can't tell who might become a customer in five years so you talk to all of them."

That said,
In the heart of it this is a Porsche. The whole engine and transmission are basically a modular unit. It would be small potatoes to just bolt in a somewhat generic engine to have the car to use. Just don't cut anything and make sure you document what is there and keep every part.

[BigRedRuf]

I sent an email to Ruf Germany a few days ago trying to grab Alois's attention. Haven't heard anything from them as of yet.

[T77911S]

seats, roll cage and mirrors are different

[BigRedRuf]

I appreciate you guys trying to look out for me however I can assure you the car is the same. As I stated the car went through a few build phases and in one of those phases things got stolen (seats) and additional s were made (roll cage). I have documented proof of the car being the same and I know the previous owner and I also know the photographer Jeremy Cliff who took the photos lol.

[Fubawu]

can we see more shots of the interior trunk etc.. Car looks great and has an interesting story

[BigRedRuf]

My craptastic cellphone pics.. it makes everything look so dirty and in reality the interior is very clean.

[SkunkWorks]

On a sidenote, I saw a set of 9/10 RUF Speedlines with the same painted red centers for auction across the pond a few months back...

No way to verify if they're the same obviously, but would be interesting if they are.

[thomas682]

I have the perfect engine for this car - Ruf 3.4L BTR Twin Plug engine. I sent you a PM with my contact information.

[BigRedRuf]

Originally Posted by SkunkWorks

On a sidenote, I saw a set of 9/10 RUF Speedlines with the same painted red centers for auction across the pond a few months back...

No way to verify if they're the same obviously, but would be interesting if they are.

Wouldn't that be something? lol