1991 Ruf BTR III Cosmetic Restoration
 

Hi Guys,
I have posted about this RUF factory car before, it is a 1979 SC that was sent to RUF in 1991 for a full conversion to a BTR III. The 'III' in BTR refers to the Motronic engine managment (as opposed to CIS), a $10k option. I listed the car for sale about a year ago, as my wife and I had a baby, and she felt that the 450hp car was not a necessity... Anyway the car was picked up by BAT (and it quickly sold). There write up is here... http://bringatrailer.com/2012/12/11/...9-ruf-btr-iii/

Anway, I was having a major case of sellers remorse, and managed to convice the Dealer Principal at Porsche Calgary (where I am the Sales Manager), that what we needed was a cool winter project, and I knew of just the car.... I bought the car back, for the dealership, and now it is being treated to the cosmetic restoration that it deserves.

I held my breath and we took the car apart, and stripped it to bare metal... It is with some relief that we uncovered no horrors. Of course, you never know what you are going to find!! Anway we are changing the colour to Maritime Blue and we are putting a new interior in it including Dash, RS door cards, new carpet etc...

It has the CTR 330mm Brake system in it with 330mm rotors on 4 corners, and after trying to find a replacement rotor at a reasonable cost, and failing, bit the bullet and bought 4 Ruf rotors at $900cdn a piece...OUCH!!! And that is not including the hats, retaining rings or hardware, just the rotor..

I will try to post some more photos, take note of the shaved rain gutters, and the welded fender flares (not 930/965).

Should be done in June/July 2014.

Cheers, Lawrence
2001 996 C4 Cab
1989 MB 420 SEL

past
1964 356 C Coupe
1985 Ruf-Porsche BTR
1991 Ruf-Porsche BTR III Motronic
1979 Porsche 930 Coupe
1987 Porsche 944 Turbo

This is 'as found' after the paint removal. I was very relieved!!!
Lawrence

and some more...

Ruf 330mm Brake Rotors and hats
 

Huge Brakes for the era, 4 x 330mm, and extremley expensive... 5,500 Euros for everything. Ouch!!!
Lawrence

Ruf 3.4 L Turbo Engine with Twin Injectors and modified G50 Transmission
 

The Ruf BTR III had the Motronic system from the CTR with twin injectors per cylinder. This was the same system as on the period 962 Race car. When you pull up the part number from the ECU, you get a link to Bosch Motorsports page, and ECU's with similar part numbers include those for the TaG-Porsche F1 engine, the Ford RS200 Rally car, and the 962 endurance racer. The brakes were also supposedly taken from the 962 as well.
Lawrence.

more photos

Very cool car!
The bat ad says it started as a 1979 930 but you say is started as an sc...which one did it start as? Also are you going to put back the 964 bumpers and rockers or are you going to go with Ruf or rsr bumpers?

Interesting project...can't wait to see the results:thumbup:

VIN decodes to a 1979 SC, and the COA states that it was a White car with Tan Leatherette... from mild to wild!!
Lawrence.
2001 996 C4 Cab
1989 MB 420 SEL

past
1964 356 C Coupe
1985 Ruf-Porsche BTR
1991 Ruf-Porsche BTR III Motronic
1979 Porsche 930 Coupe
1987 Porsche 944 Turbo

This car bounced around a little bit before you got it and it was going for very cheap for what it was. Most thought it was just an SC with BTR engine, but it is in fact actually something between a CTR and BTR built out of a '79 SC shell. It's a very special car indeed and one the original owner spent a ton of money on at RUF.

I applaud you guys for restoring it, this car really deserves it! I'll be happy to update the RUF Registry with pics and info once it's complete.

Cool video....no mention of any bumper changes...IMO ..to go through that much work, that car would benefit from period correct bumpers...ala Ruf or RSR....just sayin..:thumbup:

Very nice.

There is soon going to be a one owner RUF 930 slant nose lightweight sunroof-delete car on the market. Aluminum doors and fenders. RUF MSO, 10,700 miles. Be interesting to see the price, if made public.

I think I have seen that car on Ebay. From what I recall it had a 3.6L engine, no radio, and was basically a streetable race car. Very desireable. I think it also needed some cosmetics, but not to the extent of mine. I think it was for sale around $100k... Not sure about the RUF provenance, but with the 3.6L it was presumably built or at least re-engined in the 90's, and not sure where. I would like to know more.

I would love a set of those alloy doors and fenders..

Lawrence.

I've definately considered that, and I do really like the early BTR body kit with the IROC-like front spoiler. My first BTR was like that with boxed rockers, and I loved the way that car looked. I have also toyed around with making it look like a 964 3.8 RS, with the large wing, 18" Speedlines and red brakes, which would also be cool.

My current thinking though, is to restore the car as it left the Ruf Factory in 1992, and that is with the 965 body parts... Aesthetics aside, the 965 body is presumably more aerodynamic... So with the lighter weight of the '79 chassis, and the better aero of the 965, it should be the fastest combination, which is I suppose what the car is all about!

I will change the exterior colour from the Dark Metallic Blue to Maritime Blue, and I am 99% that I will change out the grey interior panels for black.

Lawrence.

Looks really great Lawrence! Outstanding stuff... :thumbup:
I recently picked up a '72S and I have no plans of restoring it...but posts like yours makes me want to completely go through my car. But I have done bare metal projects a few times and I am not committed enough right now for a big project!

Ruf 330mm brake rotor; these are on all 4 corners of the BTR, and this system was sold as the 'RUF CTR Braking System'. There is also a proportioning valve sending more braking to the rear of the car. This, and the different suspension tuning allow the car to rotate better into the corner. Way less understeer. The way Stefan like it!

Cheers, Lawrence
Calgary, Canada