Record-Breaking RUF CTR Yellowbird Fetches Over $6M USD at Auction
One of very few lightweight examples and one of only nine factory-finished in Blutengelb (Blossom Yellow) paint.
A pristine 1989 RUF CTR “Yellowbird” has made history at Gooding & Company’s Amelia Island Auctions, selling for an astounding $6,055,000 USD. This sale marks a new record for the legendary German performance car, underscoring its growing status as a collector’s holy grail.
One of just 29 ever built, the car — chassis number W09BT0343KPR06026 — was factory-finished in the distinctive Blutengelb (Blossom Yellow) colorway, making it one of only nine in this shade. Even more significant, this particular CTR was specified in the rare Leichtbau (lightweight) configuration, featuring aluminum body panels, a Matter aluminum roll cage and the optional six-speed RUF gearbox. The car remains in exceptional condition, having been driven less than 1,056 miles since new.
The RUF CTR originally gained worldwide recognition in 1987, when it was crowned the world’s fastest production car, achieving a top speed of 211 mph during a Road & Track shootout. Dubbed “Yellowbird” for its vibrant color and whistling twin-turbo flat-six engine, the CTR became an icon, immortalized in automotive history through RUF’s famed Faszination auf dem Nürburgring film and countless video game appearances.
Offered with its original invoice, books, tools and RUF Zertifikat, the sale of this Yellowbird signals a growing appreciation for air-cooled performance classics. Alois and Estonia Ruf, the company’s leaders, hailed the record-breaking auction as a testament to the CTR’s enduring legacy. With its performance, rarity and historical significance, the RUF CTR Yellowbird continues to cement its place as one of the most revered cars of all time.
