1979 Ruf 3.4-Litre CR Coupé

Ruf Daddy!


When it comes to 911 restomods, retromods or just hot rods, one name paternally transcends all the new kids on the Strasse: Ruf, or Ruf Daddy even! That’s Alois Ruf, who’s eponymous brand is recognised as a manufacturer in its own right in native Germany and who all others defer to, when it comes to legendary status.


And it’s not every day a Ruf drops by, so we are excited to have this Ruf CR here at William Francis. And yes, in Blossom Yellow, it’s a Ruf CTR-1 ‘Yellowbird’ dead ringer, but without the $6-million price tag. Seriously, that is exactly what a CTR-1 changed hands for at auction recently, such is the legend of the ‘Yellowbird.’


So, minus the twin turbos this CR might be, but it’s still a highly desirable example of a full Ruf build, and dare we say, probably a lot more useable too. As in you would actually ‘dare’ to use it! And c’mon, just look at it? Compared to so many wide arched restomods etc, the CR’s less is more mantra is had to beat. And you just can’t argue with that colour!


The CR can be traced back to the 1978 - 1980 SCR, which is fitting because this build is based on a 1979 911 SC. And CR in Ruf speak, equates to Carrera Ruf. Delivered to Ruf’s Pfaffenhausen base in 2014, the donor SC had covered under 20,000-miles before being Ruffed up! As donor cars go, it was rather better than the average. Taken back to basics and a bare bodyshell, Ruf applied paint and the signature CR/CTR bodykit, plus a Carrera 3.2 rear wing and later 993 mirrors. Oh, and those equally signature style Ruf five-spoke alloy wheels.


Mechanically, Ruf had the choice of modifying the 3-litre SC, or replacing it altogether from a 911 generation ahead. It chose the latter option, installing a Carrera 3.2, flat-six, but rebuilt and enlarged to 3.4-litres, with a useful 280bhp over the standard 231bhp. The Type 915 gearbox is retained (fitting a G50 would require some serious rear end body mods), and fitted with a limited slip diff. More recently the ‘box has benefitted from a full rebuild.


The chassis features Bilstein Sports dampers, lowered torsion bars and sticky Toyo R888 tyres. In stripping the car back to its bare bones, Ruf replaced or restored all the running gear too. More recently the underside has been dry-ice blasted and then protected with cavity wax. Weight wise, without the impact bumpers, and a good chunk of interior, we would hazard at around 1100kg.


Interior wise, a Heigo half cage, points to potential track use, as do the fixed back Recaros, which are straight from a 968 Club Sport and trimmed in custom Ruf logo jacquard fabric. Lightweight door cards and a deep dished OMP steering wheel, plus Ruf dials complete the interior aesthetic.


The invoice from Ruf is, as you would expect, substantial at €27,889. However, to replicate the same build now, with the additional cost of a similar low-mileage (if you could find one)

911 SC donor, would be substantially more expensive in the 2025 world of Porsche builds and restorations. Or to put it another way: try building another one?


To drive? The lightweight 911 vibe all present and correct, that famed bobbing nose and chatty, wriggly steering the direct result of the rear-engined weight, which introduces its own twisting motion to proceedings. Sounds chaotic, but as ever it’s all very subtle and part of the 911’s enduring charm. As evidenced by the slammed ride height, body roll is kept firmly in check, but the ride is superb as it shrugs off even the nastiest British B-road imperfections which ease.


As you would expect from 3.4-litres, it’s not a screamer, but it’s certainly a solid performer with strong mid-range punch, lugging nicely from 2500rpm and getting seriously punchy from 4000rpm to past 6000rpm. Flexibility is its thing, rather than peak performance. And the freshly rebuilt Type 915 gearbox is a willing accomplice, slicing through the gears without the grab and resistance which can taint the classic 911 experience.


A Junior Yellowbird? Well kind of, and minus the turbos, you won’t quite be Stefan Rosser at the Nürburgring, but neither will you be scared witless! But colour comparison aside, and prices into the millions, for the real deal, then this real world Ruf CR option makes a compelling case for itself.