RUF

Founded in 1939 by Alois Ruf Sr. in Pfaffenhausen, Germany, the company began as a general service garage known as 'Auto-Ruf.' After World War II, the business expanded into a gas station and later a bus manufacturing operation. The company's trajectory changed in 1974 when Alois Ruf Jr. took over following his father's death, pivoting the firm toward his passion for enhancing and re-engineering Porsche 911s. In 1981, RUF achieved a major milestone by being officially recognized as an independent vehicle manufacturer by the German Federal Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt). This allowed the company to issue its own VINs for cars built from the ground up. RUF gained global legendary status in 1987 with the CTR 'Yellowbird,' which was the world's fastest production car at the time, reaching a top speed of 342 km/h. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, RUF continued to push the boundaries of performance with the CTR2 and the mid-engined CTR3. The company also developed the eRUF, one of the first all-electric sports car concepts, showcasing their ability to integrate advanced technology into classic architectures. During this period, they also became a key partner in the Gran Turismo video game franchise, which brought the brand to a massive international audience. In recent years, RUF has transitioned from re-engineering Porsche chassis to developing its own proprietary platforms. The 2017 CTR Anniversary and the SCR utilize a completely in-house developed carbon-fiber monocoque. Today, the company remains a family-owned business in Pfaffenhausen, focused on producing small-series masterpieces that blend heritage aesthetics with cutting-edge composite materials and mechanical engineering.