The 1998 RUF CTR2: Why This “Not-a-911” Is Worth a Small Fortune

What’s it worth?

The honest answer is: it depends which CTR2 you mean (standard CTR2 vs. CTR2 Sport) and whether the car has special provenance (low miles, factory documentation, rare drivetrain, etc.).

Here are a few publicly cited reference points:

• A 1998 RUF CTR2 Sport sold at RM Sotheby’s Paris (2017) for €526,400 (about $561k at the time).
• A CTR2 Sport has been reported by value trackers as selling as high as £2,102,775 (most expensive public sale in their dataset), showing how sharply values have climbed.
• For top-tier, ultra-rare examples, auction coverage and catalog previews for a 1998 CTR2 Sport have published estimates in the $3.0–$3.5 million range.

So as a practical “what’s it worth” range:

• Standard CTR2 (well-kept, documented): typically high six figures to low seven figures in today’s collector climate (market-dependent). CTR2 Sport (especially rare specs like AWD, low miles, strong history): often seven figures, with the best examples discussed in the $3M+ conversation.

Quick specs: what the CTR2 is (and why it was a monster)

Even in plain spec-sheet form, the CTR2 reads like someone trying to build the fastest 911 possible before the millennium changed.

From widely cited technical descriptions:

• Engine: 3.6-liter air-cooled twin-turbo flat-six
• Transmission: 6-speed manual
• Drive: rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive
• Power: commonly quoted around 520 hp for early cars, later 580 hp for uprated versions
• 0–60 mph: around 3.6 seconds
• Top speed: quoted around 217 mph (350 km/h)

RUF also wasn’t shy about weight-saving and performance hardware. Descriptions of the CTR2 commonly mention items like lightweight bodywork materials, upgraded brakes, racing seats, and a roll cage depending on build and intent.

Is the 1998 CTR2 the only one?

No—and that’s where the story gets interesting.

The CTR2 was always limited, but “how many were built” depends on which source you’re using and whether they’re counting standard cars, Sport cars, and how RUF categorized builds.

Either way, you’re in “handful-of-cars” territory, especially for the Sport variant.

And then it gets rarer:

• One high-profile 1998 CTR2 Sport headed to auction has been described as one of only four ordered with all-wheel drive.

So no, it’s not “the only one.” But it’s rare enough that you can follow the CTR2 market for years and never see the exact spec you want pop up.

Why is it worth so much?

1) It’s the apex predator of the air-cooled era

The 993-generation Turbo is already a legend. The CTR2 is RUF taking that foundation and turning it into something that was spoken about in the same breath as the fastest production cars of the decade.

Collectors love “last of its kind” stories, and air-cooled, twin-turbo, manual fits that bill perfectly.

2) It’s a RUF—meaning it has a different kind of identity

RUF isn’t just a tuner putting a badge on someone else’s car. In collector circles, RUF-built cars are treated as their own thing, and “real RUF” provenance matters. That manufacturer status and the brand’s history (Yellowbird legacy, etc.) add a layer of seriousness beyond typical modified cars.

3) The “Sport” spec is the one everyone fights over

The CTR2 Sport is the version that tends to light collectors up—more hardcore, more rare, and often linked to motorsport-adjacent development stories. Auction previews calling out “one of 14” (or similar) are basically the collector equivalent of ringing a dinner bell. Read More- TopGear

4) The market has re-rated ’90s supercars (and CTR2 is near the top)

The CTR2 checks a lot of modern collector boxes:

• limited build numbers
• analog experience (manual, air-cooled character)
• extreme performance for its era
• recognizability among enthusiasts

When a model like this gets a reputation bump, values don’t move slowly—they jump. Read More- Hagerty

5) Provenance and configuration can multiply value

Cars tied to notable owners, documented factory build histories, ultra-low miles, or ultra-rare configurations (like AWD Sport examples) can command a very different number than a more typical CTR2—even within the same model year.

The bottom line

A 1998 RUF CTR2 is expensive because it represents a perfect storm: rarity, era-defining performance, and a brand name that carries real collector weight. And if it’s a CTR2 Sport—especially with rare drivetrain specs—it moves from “valuable classic” into “headline auction car” territory. Read more- Ruf