The arrival of the BTR in 1984 marked the beginning of RUF’s global reputation as an independent car manufacturer, establishing it as the most highly regarded of Porsche tuning firms. Inspired by the FIA Group B regulations, the BTR used the Porsche G-Series 930 Turbo body as the basis of a 374-horsepower, 187-mph sports car. Tested against the top contemporary models from Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche by Road & Track in its September 1984 issue, it proved to be the world’s fastest car at that time. If you were in the market for a truly unique “G-body” Porsche capable of supercar-killing performance, RUF was the company to call.

While RUF was able to provide BTR upgrades to an owner’s vehicle, it also provided complete cars hand-built from “body in white” shells obtained from Porsche, which received their own unique “W09” RUF chassis numbers. While RUF converted many customer Porsches, only a handful of these W09 BTR models, in both narrow-body and Turbo-body configuration, were produced by RUF. The number is estimated to be approximately 25 in the period from 1984 to 1989. RUF consistently revised the original BTR I, with the BTR II having a larger K27 turbocharger; the BTR III sported a RUF-developed Motronic fuel injection system.

This Turbo-body RUF BTR II was ordered by a Dr. DiMarco of Chagrin Falls, Ohio and invoiced through RUF Automobile of America on 9 August 1985. The car was dispatched on 1 October 1985 and arrived in New York on 13 October 1985. In 1998, the car was acquired by the second owner, Rick Staikoff of Brecksville, Ohio, who had known the car and the original owner. In 2015, this RUF was purchased from the second owner by the consignor and was subsequently shipped to the UK, and then to Monaco in 2020.

While with the first owner, the car was upgraded by Clay Dopke of Bavarian Coach Werks (BCW) in West Carrollton, Ohio, a renowned Porsche racer and tuner. A larger BCW intercooler was installed, the heads were twin-plugged, and an early Electromotive crank fire ignition system was installed. The second owner cherished the car, using it only in the summer months and having Clay Dopke maintain it.

Under its current ownership, the RUF has received substantial maintenance work through a Porsche Service Center in the UK. No expense was spared in returning the car to its correct mechanical specification. An original RUF intercooler was fitted, along with other RUF-specific components, including a new clutch and airbox. The top end of the engine was rebuilt, with new piston rings, head studs, and reconditioned cylinder heads. In addition to this work, a new turbocharger, dual Classic Retrofit programmable ignition boxes, and a 12-plug RSR style distributor were installed. The suspension and brakes were refreshed, and new Denloc tires were purchased.

Following the completion of this work, the engine was dyno-tuned by BS Motorsport in the UK, showing 439.7 peak horsepower with the standard RUF exhaust at 1 bar boost. In 2020, it received further servicing and maintenance at the RUF factory in Germany. All invoices from this work are present within the RUF’s files.

This survivor RUF BTR II retains its matching-numbers engine and gearbox and is accompanied by its original tool roll, tire pump, and Nakamichi stereo. A true hot-rod, the RUF BTR provided an immense increase in performance compared the standard Porsche 930 of the period, and remains a thrill to drive today.