The very first customer Ruf SCR is for sale

These days, it almost feels like a car company is notable if it isn’t modifying rear-engined Porsches in some way. The air-cooled 911s that stand out in the 2020s are those that aren’t backdated. But despite the proliferation of restomods now out there – perhaps because of them, in fact – Ruf still stands out as something very special indeed. Because unlike some reworkings, we’re talking here about some of the finest driver’s cars in the world – in their own right. 

The return of the CTR ‘Yellowbird’ in 2017 was almost like a rebirth for Ruf, introducing as it did a new carbon monocoque. It brought considerable benefits for both weight and rigidity, as well as offering a technical advancement that nothing else 911-shaped in the world could offer. Anything that features a carbon monocoque, really, is a special kind of supercar. 

The architecture would go on to underpin additional Rufs after the Yellowbird, including this: the SCR, which debuted in 2018. It kept a lot of the CTR special sauce, though power came from a 4.0-litre flat-six instead of a twin-turbo 3.6. While it meant less power, it still produced 510hp, and that was made at 8,270rpm. With a six-speed manual, of course. So it was making new GT3 power (still new GT3 power, in fact), while weighing significantly less (1,325kg against a 1,488kg for a 991.2) thanks to the composite. And probably boasting better torsional rigidity. You just know it would have been epic. 

Now there’s one for sale in the UK. The very first customer car of a 70-unit SCR run, in fact – chassis #02 is a pretty cool claim to fame. You’d have to imagine that the owner was a very special Ruf client; not because of the outside – Birch Green is bold, but not out of the ordinary – but thanks to the interior spec. Because, yes, that is Brown Deerskin Alcantara, flower embroidery and headrests with the state of Bavaria sewn into them. Never going to see another one, at least… 

Let’s not lose sight of the SCR’s awesomeness, though. The carbon monocoque really was just the start, with ceramic brakes, KW V5 suspension (as is now offered for the Carrera GT), carbon seats, even a nose lift so it could be used around town. One review suggested the SCR was a ‘fabulous balance of raw engagement and confidence-inspiring composure on the road’. That’s before considering how good it might be on a track, too. 

In fact, it’s hard to think of what a Ruf wouldn’t be suitable for, as the 9,000 miles on this one will attest. Smaller than most modern supercars, so it’ll be wieldy and usable on all roads, fast enough to be exciting without being so preposterously powerful it’s dangerous, recent and beautifully built with classic charm to the looks. They know what they’re doing at Ruf, in case that hadn’t been blindingly obvious for decades. Which is why you’ll need a healthy seven figure sum to get one. But as a track car, B-road blaster, daily sports car and rarely-seen supercar all in one, an SCR will surely be (lots of) money well spent. Perhaps a visit to Bavaria is on the cards…