THE BREAKDOWN
- Ruf built just one Porsche 928, and turned it into a 928R.
- The builder started with a body-in-white, so it's a true Ruf product.
- This car was driven less than 1,600 miles in total.
- Pre-auction estimates peg the value between $400,000 and $500,000.
When Alois Ruf puts his name on a Porsche, we all know that vehicle is something special. Typically, you'd expect to find the Ruf badge on a car that looks like a 911. But one time back in 1989, Ruf produced a very special 928.
Dubbed the Ruf 928R, this front-engined Porsche is a one-of-one build created for former Samsung Group chairman Lee Kun-Hee. Ruf started with a body-in-white before working its magic. That makes this a true Ruf product, instead of a Porsche 928 with upgraded wheels and a few badges.
Gallery: 1989 RUF Porsche 928R Auction
The car is up for sale courtesy of Gooding Christie's auction house, which will present the vehicle at Amelia Island in early March. Pre-auction estimates range from $400,000 to $500,000.
Considering this is the only Ruf 928R ever built, there's a decent chance this car meets those estimates. After all, Ruf reworked the 5.0-liter V8 to produce 360 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. The Wine Red interior looks perfect against the black exterior, while the Alcantara steering wheel feels extremely period-appropriate.
The odometer reads 1,568 miles. This 928 was retained by the Samsung Collection for several years before Ruf got its hands back on the car. During the time, the mechanical bits were gone through. The 928R also received 19-inch Ruf wheels to fit over the upgraded carbon ceramic brakes, as well as a Ruf classic radio and an upgraded exhaust system.
The auction kicks off on March 5th at 3:00 pm EST. If the 928R isn't your speed, perhaps the 1997 Ruf BTR II is for you. Just be ready to potentially spend a million bucks for that one.
Motor1's Take: Any time there's a chance to own a one-of-one car from a storied builder, the big spenders pop out of the shadows. Sure, a 928 might not be as desirable as a 911, but given its history, quality, and low mileage, it should fetch a ton of money.
Source: Gooding Christie's
