Time-capsule 1989 RUF CTR Yellowbird heads to auction

One of the most iconic supercars of the 1980s is heading to auction soon, as part of the Gooding & Company Amelia Island sale. 

The RUF CTR Yellowbird has achieved legendary status, helped by a starring role in the 1989 Faszination auf dem Nürburgring promotional video, with race driver Stefan Roser behind the wheel. 

Throughout the 20-minute film, Roser demonstrates the speed and agility of the tuned Yellowbird around the Nordschleife circuit – all while wearing slip-on loafers with white socks. 

The video cemented the Yellowbird into automotive history, as did contemporary road tests showing it to be one of the fastest cars in the world.

Boosted to the maximum

Unveiled in 1987, the CTR Yellowbird started life as an unstamped, Porsche-supplied chassis. RUF then added its own aluminium body panels and bespoke lightweight bumpers. It also widened the wheelarches to accommodate 17-inch alloy wheels. 

The real star of the CTR show was a rear-mounted 3.4-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six engine. With the knob for the boost controller twisted to maximum, peak outputs were 469hp and 408lb ft of torque. 

Independent tests suggested power could actually be closer to 500hp, meaning the Yellowbird could outgun supercars from Ferrari and Lamborghini at the time.

Unquestionably the RUF CTR was one of the fastest road cars of the 1980s. Its performance figures are impressive even by today’s standards, with 0-60mph taking 3.65 seconds and a top speed of 213mph.

Stripped back to basics

Other technical highlights of the CTR included upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes with 330mm front discs, and a set of Speedline alloy wheels.

RUF only produced 29 examples of the CTR Yellowbird, and the car available for auction is the 26th example made. 

Being in optional Leichtbau (lightweight) specification makes it even rarer, too. This brought an integrated roll cage, fire suppression system, Recaro bucket seats and aluminium front wings to the party. 

Only six CTR Yellowbird owners plumped for this package, which saw the car’s kerb weight drop to a scant 1,134kg.

Very yellow, but never mellow

 A Blaupunkt stereo was the only concession made to comfort by the RUF’s original owner, with everything else seemingly focused on outright performance – including the choice of gearbox. 

At a time when Porsche fitted its own 930 Turbo with a four-speed manual, the Yellowbird came as standard with a five-speed setup. However, this CTR has RUF’s in-house six-speed transmission instead. 

Such a desirable mechanical combination, along with being one of the nine cars painted in Blutengelb (Blossom Yellow), only adds to its appeal. 

Despite such a dream specification, however, the CTR’s two owners have made very little use of the car since it first left RUF’s Pfaffenhausen workshop in 1989.

Preserved for a new owner

Just 1,673 kilometres (1,040 miles) have been recorded on the CTR’s odometer. It has spent three decades of its life in a climate-controlled garage, and has been used very sparingly. Sold to its current American owner in 2020, the Yellowbird has continued to live a pampered life. 

It means the RUF is preserved almost exactly as when it was first built, with original paintwork, bodywork and mechanical components. Added to this is a detailed history file, including the original sales invoice, tool kit, jack and owner’s manual.

Being such a well-preserved example of a rare and desirable classic car means the CTR comes with a guide price ‘in excess’ of $6 million (£4.78 million).

We will have to wait until the Gooding & Company auction next month to see just how high the Yellowbird can soar. Let’s hope the new owner drives it like Stefan Roser.

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