A pristine 1989 RUF CTR “Yellowbird” has made historical past at Gooding & Firm’s Amelia Island Auctions, promoting for an astounding $6,055,000 USD. This sale marks a brand new file for the legendary German efficiency automotive, underscoring its rising standing as a collector’s holy grail.
One in all simply 29 ever constructed, the automotive — chassis quantity W09BT0343KPR06026 — was factory-finished within the distinctive Blutengelb (Blossom Yellow) colorway, making it one in all solely 9 on this shade. Much more important, this specific CTR was specified within the uncommon Leichtbau (light-weight) configuration, that includes aluminum physique panels, a Matter aluminum roll cage and the non-obligatory six-speed RUF gearbox. The automotive stays in distinctive situation, having been pushed lower than 1,056 miles since new.
The RUF CTR initially gained worldwide recognition in 1987, when it was topped the world’s quickest manufacturing automotive, reaching a high velocity of 211 mph throughout a Street & Observe shootout. Dubbed “Yellowbird” for its vibrant colour and whistling twin-turbo flat-six engine, the CTR turned an icon, immortalized in automotive historical past by way of RUF’s famed Faszination auf dem Nürburgring movie and numerous online game appearances.
Provided with its unique bill, books, instruments and RUF Zertifikat, the sale of this Yellowbird indicators a rising appreciation for air-cooled efficiency classics. Alois and Estonia Ruf, the corporate’s leaders, hailed the record-breaking public sale as a testomony to the CTR’s enduring legacy. With its efficiency, rarity and historic significance, the RUF CTR Yellowbird continues to cement its place as probably the most revered automobiles of all time.
