RUF Bug
A truly one off a kind, build with only genuine RUF parts and an eye for detail. Started as a 2002 VW New Beetle Turbo S and modified with cooperation of RUF USA. From the moment you open the door and are greeted by the Aroma of Fine Leather, to the second you cross the Stainless Steel Door Sills, sit down and are cradled in the Custom Painted Full Leather Recaro Racing Seats, then proceed to wrap your hands around the Thick Matching Leather RUF Steering Wheel and Shifter, you realize "this ain't your daddy's Beetle!" You immediately notice the incredible Attention to Detail. The Fit and Finish and overall Clean OEM styling. The Craftsmanship and subtle marriage of Form and Function make it clear that this car is truly something unique and quite special. The sensation of being behind the wheel of a purposeful 225hp Six Speed VW Beetle with the turbo spooling, pushing you into your seat as you accelerate from 70 to 120 MPH in seconds, is something one once could only dream about. It's now a reality! This is the car Alois Ruf would have built, had he the inclination to ever modify a New Beetle. The car born from the VW / Porsche / Audi and RUF families. The marriage of technical innovation and tasteful creativity! At speed or sitting still, this car garners attention unlike anything else you've ever owned or driven. The fascination, compliments and appreciation people seem to shower on this car, have made the entire project worthwhile.
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Up for auction
"The Story: I was driving a brand-new1997, 589hp RUF CTR2sport. This was the first CTR2sport imported into the USA that had just arrived and the July 4th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb was its first race. Even though it was a showroom stock CTR2sport, it was a RUF, so race organizers bumped it out of the Showroom Stock Division all the way up to the Open Division (where any modification is allowed except aerodynamic aids and the car's weight is not less than 1,800 .lbs). In practice early morning practice on the lower third of the course, it was clear that I'd have to pull out every trick from my rally experience to put this 3,200# RUF into contention, really push this car to the edge of performance....well...I did that...and we both enjoyed a little trip off the edge. My off happened just after Picnic Ground which is the fastest section in the lower half of the mountain at which the RUF hits 110 mph. Wanting to carry as much of that speed through the subsequent "S" turns as possible, I carried a bit too much, enough that a when hitting a bump at the inner most apex of the "S" turn, the car became too unsettled and I ended up flying through the pine trees. This is part of the resulting carnage. The story has a good ending as only body panels were damaged, and it took just eight rolls of yellow duct tape to put them all back together. The RUF would go on to run the race and take second in the Open Division."
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