Ruf Classic Wheel availability - SC/Carrera body - just curious

[Scott S]

Are the Ruf classic wheels patented/trade-marked?

They are so difficult to find (especially in sizes to fit the SC/Carrera body), yet so well liked, I am surprised that there have not been replicas made – even licensed replicas.

Replica wheels seem to be available for anything anymore. I am sure there are those out there that remember the ads in the all of the various car magazines that sold snow tire packages on replica wheels for many makes. Heck, I was able to buy replica 14” GTI snow flakes for my rabbit GTI back in college.

Anyone know the story? Being that were made by Speedline, I am surprised you cannot get them directly from them.

Just curious…

[Arne2]

Having worked with the custom wheel industry in a past career, I'm quite sure that Speedline is prohibited from selling that style directly due to terms of the original contract with Ruf.

Beyond that, despite being "well liked" I strongly suspect the potential market for replicas is nowhere near large enough to justify the investment (possibly as much as $100k for just 2 or 3 sizes) in the tooling to make them. You'd need to sell a lot of wheels to recoup that investment. The market just isn't there. While there are people who would buy them, the majority of air-cooled 911 owners prefer Fuchs style.

[gtc]

Have you contacted Ruf directly? They have been available recently (made by Avus).
There have also been replicas sold at some point.

[douglas bray]

Speaking of speedlines for narrow bodied cars:

Ruf Speedlines - Rennlist Discussion Forums

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by Scott S

Are the Ruf classic wheels patented/trade-marked?

They are so difficult to find (especially in sizes to fit the SC/Carrera body), yet so well liked, I am surprised that there have not been replicas made – even licensed replicas.

Replica wheels seem to be available for anything anymore. I am sure there are those out there that remember the ads in the all of the various car magazines that sold snow tire packages on replica wheels for many makes. Heck, I was able to buy replica 14” GTI snow flakes for my rabbit GTI back in college.

Anyone know the story? Being that were made by Speedline, I am surprised you cannot get them directly from them.

Just curious…

There's a set in the classified right now
Speedline

They seem to come along w/ fair regularity

[ErVikingo]

I have a NOS set at home which I could be persuaded to sell..... I got them as spares for my car on a visit to Ruf in Germany

[Bill Douglas]

Those are the BEST looking wheels for a SC/Carrera.

Careful you don't buy a set of heavy weight copies as they really slow the car down.

[mbbnyc]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Those are the BEST looking wheels for a SC/Carrera.

Careful you don't buy a set of heavy weight copies as they really slow the car down.

Ruf Speedlines are heavy to begin with, like boat anchor heavy. Compared with modern wheels.

9's & 10's come available with pretty good regularity. 8's & 9's less regular as they made less of them.

They are the best looking wheels for 80's cars wide body or not. I have a set on each of my cars.

expect 3-3.5 for some curb rash, expect 4-5k for perfect concours wheels

[pc100porsche]

Two and a half years back I was offered brand new 8s & 9s via the RUF Dealer for $3500.
They told me that the main demand was for wide body cars ie 9s & 10s.

[mbbnyc]

That was a good deal because RUF was offering new ones on their site for $5500 then

Yes they mainly made them for the turbos and the wide body's. But they did make some narrow body cars wheels. (8's & 9's)

[pc100porsche]

The $3500 was a discount off their normal pricing for the 8s & 9s due to very low buyer demand.

[esonefour]

I recently bought a genuine set from Yahoo Japan for 800 nzd
The week after another set got listed for 7,000 so deals are to be had.

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by esonefour

I recently bought a genuine set from Yahoo Japan for 800 nzd
The week after another set got listed for 7,000 so deals are to be had.

Nice looking car!

[911 jared]

if anyone is looking for a set, i posted my ruf 17x8/9 set up on the Classifieds forums.
classic RUF Speedlines 17x8 and 17x9

[esample]

Wasn't sure at first, because I love the Fuchs, but now I can't imagine going back. I originally just bought the Rufs to get into 17s.

[mbbnyc]

Esample: Great Minds think alike :-)

[PcarPhil]

I absolutely love these wheels and consider them the nicest looking wheels available for G-series 911s. What I don't love however is the weight of the wheels. Man they are heavy.

[911 jared]

i know the whole knock on these wheels are they are heavy, but i don't care. The wheels are so iconic. I love how simplistic they are and they really are THE BEST LOOKING WHEELS for 80's 911 cars.
heres my collection over time.
9's and 10's

pictured here is 8's, 9's and 10's from left to right.

my cap collection for these wheels.

two sets, both 8's and 9's. the chrome set is for sale.

[esample]

Originally Posted by mbbnyc

Esample: Great Minds think alike :-)

Dude, I really like your car.

[petercory]

Have them on my 930S Cabrio and GT3 Club Sport; my favorite wheels