Starting out as an aftermarket tuner for Porsches, in 1981 RUF took the next step and attained manufacturer status from the TÜV, Germany’s equivalent of the Department of Motor Vehicles, and therefore their own VIN designation. Able to build and license vehicles under their own name, this allowed RUF to finally step out from Porsche’s shadow and paved the way for the company’s success in the years to come. The first RUF to bear the RUF ‘W09’ chassis number designation was the BTR of 1983, adding even more performance on top of Porsche’s iconic 930-generation 911 Turbo.

Ten years later, BTR production transitioned to the 964-bodystyle. Based on the 911 Carrera 2, the flat six-cylinder engine was bored out to 3.8-liters and the addition of a turbocharger brought about a power output of 415 bhp, bringing top speed to the fabled 200 mph mark. Aside from the engine, RUF-specific modifications were made to the suspension including new 18-inch wheels. The BTR4 brought four-wheel driver performance to RUF, and it is said that just thirteen 964-generation BTR4s were produced in total, including the example presented here.

A letter of authenticity on file from RUF confirms this car’s build specifications when new. Built to BTR4 specifications in left-hand drive, the car was finished in Polar Silver with a black leather interior. Numerous RUF options were fitted to the car including a RUF six-speed gearbox with short shifter, 77-liter fuel tank, RUF leather steering wheel, RUF gauges with gear signal and onboard computer, the BTR-specific brake kit, a RUF-specific Bilstein suspension with RUF front strut bar, RUF front wing, and RUF exhaust. Interestingly, the car was also fitted with ‘Japan Rear Seats,’ allegedly more comfortable than the standard rear seats.

The BTR4 was delivered new to Japan via RUF’s Japanese importer at the time, Ishida Engineering, and was first registered there in January 1994. While not much is known of the car’s history in Japan, the Japanese Export Certificate issued in 2019 shows that the car had previously been registered in Yokohama, having been located in Kyoto at the time of export.

Prior to import to the US, the car was serviced by RTC Co. Ltd. (formerly Ishida Engineering), Japan’s authorized RUF distributor. This consisted of changing the engine oil, transmission oil, and brake fluid, a fan and cooler belt replacement, brake pad replacement, differential lock cylinder replacement, and re-gassing of the air conditioning system.

The car was sent to RStrada, an official RUF service center and representative located in Torrance, CA, where the interior was retrimmed in its present configuration with blue and grey cloth seat upholstery, blue seat belts, and blue door pulls, along with the ‘BTR 3.8’ logo trimmed on the rear parcel shelf behind the rear seats. At the same time, the car also received a full engine-out service while at RStrada.

Most recently, the car was displayed in the ‘Stuttgart Legends’ class at ModaMiami 2025, where it received lots of attention in a field filled with other high-horsepower 911s. Tantalizingly rare and a truly incredible car to drive even thirty years after it was completed at RUF, this BTR4 would make a striking addition to any collection worldwide.