This 1997 RUF BTR2 is the first of approximately 10 examples of the 993-based evolution of the BTR manufactured by RUF Automobile GmbH of Pfaffenhausen, Germany. The car was delivered new in Japan, where it remained until being sold to a UK owner in 2015. It was subsequently purchased in 2017 by a California collector who commissioned a conversion to US-market specifications by RUF before importation to the US. After three additional changes of hand, it was purchased by its current owner in 2025. Finished in Speed Yellow, the car is powered by a turbocharged and intercooled 3.6-liter flat-six that drives the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transaxle with a limited-slip differential. Additional features include cross-drilled and ventilated disc brakes with body-color calipers, RUF-tuned suspension with Bilstein adjustable coilover shock absorbers, staggered-width 18” RUF alloy wheels, an auxiliary oil cooler, a RUF front valance, a rear spoiler, carbon-fiber bucket seats trimmed in black leather, air conditioning, and power windows. This RUF BTR2 is now offered on dealer consignment in Waltham, Massachusetts, by a BaT Local Partner with a RUF certificate, invoices dating back to new, a clean Carfax report, and a Virginia title.

After being granted German manufacturing status in 1981, RUF introduced the Porsche 930-based BTR, or Gruppe B Turbo RUF, in 1983 as the first model to carry a RUF VIN. Shortly after Porsche’s shift to production of the 993 platform, RUF began offering a successor to the BTR based on 993 Carrera bodies-in-white supplied by Porsche. Introduced two years before Porsche’s 993 Turbo variant, the BTR2 model featured a RUF-tuned version of the Carrera’s 3.6-liter engine as part of a rear-wheel-drive powertrain.

Finished in Speed Yellow, this example’s bodywork incorporates a tea-tray rear spoiler and a RUF-specific front valance with widened air inlets, dual horizontal nose vents, and a chin spoiler with winglets. Additional features include a headlight washing system, aerodynamic side mirrors, a roof-mounted antenna, a body-color roof spoiler, and RUF badging.

Previously refinished in black, the RUF alloy wheels were returned to their factory shade of silver prior to the current owner’s purchase and are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires measuring 225/40ZR18 up front and 265/35ZR18 at the rear. A space-saver spare is housed in the front compartment. Stopping is handled by anti-lock disc brakes with RUF-branded Speed Yellow calipers and cross-drilled and ventilated rotors measuring 320mm in diameter up front and 300mm at the rear.

Trimmed to lightweight specification, the cabin houses a pair of carbon-fiber “lollipop” fixed-back bucket seats that were fitted after the previous owner’s purchase in 2023 and are trimmed in black leather with yellow embroidered RUF headrest logos. Black RS-style door panels with yellow pull straps were installed in 2018. Additional features include yellow embroidered RUF logos on the headrests and floor mats, black carpeting with yellow BTR2 branding on the rear bulkhead, a black headliner, drilled pedals, air conditioning, power windows, and a Porsche Classic radio.

The RUF three-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of RUF-branded green-letter VDO instrumentation including an 8k-rpm tachometer, a 220-mph speedometer, a clock, and gauges monitoring fuel and oil levels, oil temperature, and oil pressure. The six-digit odometer shows 26k miles, approximately 87 of which have been added under current ownership.

The BTR2 model’s 3.6-liter flat-six was based on the Porsche Carrera’s naturally aspirated powerplant and featured RUF modifications including a KKK turbocharger, an intercooler, an auxiliary oil cooler, revised camshafts, remapped Bosch Motronic engine management, and a revised exhaust system. Output was rated by RUF at 420 horsepower at 5k rpm and 435 ft-lbs of torque at 4,800 rpm. A €23k service performed by RUF in 2017 included engine work at a cost of €12k as well as a conversion to US-market specifications.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transaxle with RUF-specific gearing and a limited-slip differential with 60% lockup. The shift rod bushings were replaced in March 2026. The BTR2 model’s suspension was modified by RUF to achieve a ride height 30mm lower than the Porsche Carrera while utilizing stiffer anti-roll bars and Bilstein adjustable coilover shock absorbers. Work by RUF in 2017 included replacement of the lower front control arms and tie rod ends.

The RUF Zertifikat notes that the car is the first production BTR2 built on a 993 chassis and lists the original colors and equipment numbers as well as a lightweight interior, RUF bucket seats, and delivery to Japan. A RUF Certificate of Origin dated 2017 and a RUF data sheet are viewable in the photo gallery below along with stamped service booklet pages from the car’s time in Japan from the 1990s to 2015.

The Carfax report is free of accidents or other issues and includes entries from 2023 and 2026.