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It goes without saying that the Porsche 911 is one of the most popular modified chassis ever conceived, and a fair amount of those modifications are track-based. The results are sometimes mixed; however, one of the more popular trends which I think is pretty slick is backdating 911s. It’s ironic, since for some time it was more popular to update the looks of many of the older race cars to new 964 or 993 bodies. However, the surge in pricing in the 1960s and 1970s 911 market has resulted in many backdated cars coming to market. Obviously, the advantage is that you get a better driving and more powerful car with more options than original, but it’s got the look of the sought after early models. However, probably the biggest advantage is that of price; with a lower entry cost, prospective buyers aren’t afraid to use the 911 where it is well suited; driving fast on a race track. Today I have two different takes on backdated 911s, both with a nod towards the mega-buck RS model. Which is the one you’d choose?
While there are a plethora of Porsche 930s sporting Ruf details, when you get into the real Ruf vehicles you have crested a very high mountain of performance. Rufs emerged in the 1980s as the ultimate giant killers; cars whose performance exceeded the expectations of everyone in the motoring press and every stock vehicle they came across. Put simply, there were just no cars that were faster; even Porsche’s legendary 959 was bullied by the equally revered Ruf CTR Yellowbird in a high-speed test when they were new. They were, and remain, the most expensive and most highly sought modified Porsches available. Add to that the specialized lightweight versions of the already exclusive Rufs, and you’ve got something truly special and unique:
Here’s the question of the day: do you need an original? Perhaps, if you have quite particular taste and your pockets are quite deep, yes is the only option for you. Perhaps you don’t feel like you could possibly turn up for a track event, coffee and cars, or club car show and explain to people that your pride and joy is a replica or car that was converted in the style of the originals. But to me, if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and – as in this case – goes like a duck, perhaps it doesn’t matter that it didn’t leave the egg as a prized duckling. Ruf cars are some of the most highly sought tuner cars ever produced – and these days, a real-deal Ruf BTR will set you back a pretty penny; but then, so will a mint condition 930. 930s have recently undergone a serious spike in prices; perhaps recognition by the market that they’re a lot more car than a E30 M3 and probably should be priced below one. So what we have here is a great looking 930 that has been given a host of BTR upgrades by an authorized Ruf dealer. Is it worth the price of entry?
Without a doubt, Ruf is one of the most popular tuners in the world, but enthusiasts draw a strong line in the sand over what…