Another rare gem from the house of Ruf is heading to auction, and it’s expected to command a price tag north of $3 million. The car in question? A 2021 Ruf CTR Anniversary — a modern reinterpretation of the iconic Yellowbird, built to mark the 30th anniversary of Ruf’s legendary CTR lineage.

At first glance, it might be mistaken for a classic Porsche 911, but don’t be fooled. Underneath its retro shell lies a thoroughly modern supercar engineered by one of the most revered Porsche tuners in history. Ruf doesn’t merely modify Porsches — it builds its own vehicles from the ground up, registered under its own manufacturer status. And the CTR Anniversary is a shining example of this philosophy.

Debuting at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the CTR Anniversary blends timeless design with cutting-edge materials and race-proven engineering. Just 50 units were produced, making it rarer than many exotic supercars. The example set to hit the auction block is chassis number 25 — finished in stunning Riviera Blue and showing fewer than 200 miles on the odometer.

Originally delivered to a discerning collector in Florida, this CTR Anniversary was optioned with nearly every carbon fiber component available. The exterior features lightweight carbon bodywork, carbon ceramic brakes with matching body-colored calipers, a front axle lift system, and featherweight carbon-fiber doors — all in the name of performance and precision.

Inside, the cabin is equally jaw-dropping. The Kevlar-carbon bucket seats are wrapped in supple leather with pepita (houndstooth) inserts and accented by Riviera Blue contrast stitching. Even the seatbelts match the exterior hue. A black Alcantara headliner adds to the bespoke feel, while titanium pedals round off the interior with a motorsport-inspired touch.

But this car isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s a powerhouse under the skin. The CTR Anniversary is powered by a 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine, developed in-house by Ruf, that delivers a staggering 720 horsepower and 890 Nm (656 lb-ft) of torque. With a six-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive, this analog rocket catapults from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under four seconds and boasts a top speed of 360 km/h (224 mph).

When new, the CTR Anniversary commanded an eye-watering €892,000 (around $1 million at the time). However, given the recent sale of an original 1987 Ruf CTR Yellowbird for $6.1 million — nearly 41 times its original price — expectations are high. Pre-auction estimates suggest the car could fetch between $2.8 and $3.4 million when it crosses the block later this month.

For collectors and driving purists alike, the CTR Anniversary represents a perfect blend of rarity, craftsmanship, and raw performance. While Singer may offer gorgeous 911-based restomods, the Ruf CTR Anniversary delivers heritage and homologation-grade engineering from a marque that’s been rewriting Porsche’s rulebook for decades.

This is more than just a car — it’s an artifact of performance history, destined for a place of honor in a world-class collection.

Source: RM Sotheby’s