RUF holds German manufacturer status, so its cars carry RUF VINs rather than Porsche ones, and the BTR2 was its turbocharged evolution of the 993. This one was delivered new in Japan, spent time in the UK, and was converted to US specification by RUF before import, with lightweight interior details and carbon bucket seats. Bidding stands at $525,000 with six days remaining and 14 bids placed.
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What it’s worth right now
This car has a public sales history. Gooding Christie’s sold it, chassis W09TB0362VPR06001, for $720,000 at Amelia Island in 2023, a record for the model at the time. A 1997 BTR2 showing 26,000 miles then sold for $850,000 at the same sale in March 2026, matching this car’s year, mileage, and 2026 change of ownership, and Classic.com sets the BTR2 benchmark at $952,904.
Its provenance places this one at the top of the BTR2 market. The first-production status, RUF certificate, and records help, while the US conversion and non-original seats and door panels temper the number slightly. Fair value lands between $780,000 and $950,000, with $860,000 most likely. The current bid of $525,000 has six days to run against a reserve.
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Condition and details
The RUF specification is extensive. The car wears Speed Yellow with a tea-tray spoiler, a RUF front valance with widened inlets and winglets, and a headlight washing system, and it rides on staggered 18-inch RUF wheels, recently returned to their factory silver after a black refinish, with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires and RUF-branded yellow calipers. RUF tuning lowered the suspension 30mm with Bilstein adjustable coilovers.
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The interior has been updated. Carbon fiber bucket seats in black leather with yellow RUF logos were fitted in 2023, and RS-style door panels went in during 2018, so neither is from new. The cabin carries a RUF three-spoke wheel, RUF-branded green-letter VDO gauges, drilled pedals, air conditioning, and power windows.
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The documentation is strong. RUF performed a €23,000 service in 2017 that included €12,000 in engine work, the US conversion, and new lower front control arms and tie rod ends, and the shift rod bushings were replaced in March 2026. The RUF Zertifikat, a 2017 Certificate of Origin, a data sheet, and stamped Japanese service pages accompany the sale. The Carfax is clean, and the car carries a Virginia title.
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The offer
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Make | RUF |
| Model | BTR2 |
| Year | 1997 |
| Mileage | 26,000 miles shown on a six-digit odometer |
| Engine | RUF-modified 3.6-liter flat-six with single turbocharger and intercooler |
| Power | 420 horsepower and 435 lb-ft of torque, RUF rating |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual with RUF gearing |
| Drive type | Rear wheel drive with limited-slip differential |
| Exterior color | Speed Yellow |
| Interior color | Black leather |
| Current bid | $525,000 with six days remaining |
Interested in this car? View the listing here.
What makes the RUF BTR2 unique
RUF introduced the original BTR in 1983 as the first car to carry a RUF VIN, and the BTR2 continued the idea on the 993. Built on Carrera bodies supplied by Porsche, it paired a single-turbo 3.6-liter flat-six with rear wheel drive and arrived two years before Porsche’s own 993 Turbo.
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BTR2 values have risen sharply. As factory-built RUFs with tiny production numbers, they appeal to collectors who see them as the purist alternative to the all wheel drive 993 Turbo. Documented provenance and RUF certification carry enormous weight in this market.
My take
At $525,000 with 14 bids and six days to run, my call is $860,000, with $950,000 possible if collectors value its status as the first production 993-based BTR2. What makes it compelling is its provenance, since a RUF-certified BTR2 with records from new and a recent RUF service is one of the most significant RUFs available. What tempers it is the US conversion and the non-original seats and door panels. Review the RUF certificate, then bid.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.
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About the author
Kyle Edward
Editor-in-Chief, Autoblog