RUF Project Dragon Started With an Unused W09 Body
Project Dragon was conceived as a modern reinterpretation of the RUF CTR2 Sport while retaining the character and appearance of the original car. According to Gooding Christie’s, the project began with the final unused W09 body-in-white that RUF had retained since the CTR2 era. The consignor worked directly with Alois Ruf and his team to develop a one-off car based on a concept the collector had contemplated for decades.
Tony Hatter, the designer closely associated with the 993-generation Porsche 911, also worked with RUF on the design of Project Dragon. The resulting car is finished in a unique color called Dragon Fire Orange and uses bespoke carbon-fiber bodywork.
621-HP Air-Cooled Engine and Modernized Chassis
While Project Dragon draws heavily from the CTR2 Sport, its mechanical specification incorporates considerably more recent components and engineering. Its bespoke air-cooled engine is rated at 621 hp at 6,500 rpm. Gooding Christie’s did not specify engine displacement, torque, transmission details or additional performance figures in its announcement.
The chassis is equipped with a RUF integrated roll cage, carbon-ceramic brakes and Bilstein PSS10 suspension. RUF center-lock wheels were designed and manufactured specifically for Project Dragon by OZ Racing.
Project Dragon Arrives With a $6 Million–$8 Million Estimate
Gooding Christie’s has assigned Project Dragon an estimate of $6 million to $8 million, making the car a significant test of collector demand for unique RUF commissions. Project Dragon was delivered in March 2024 and had accumulated only 759 miles when cataloged. Gooding Christie’s describes its condition as virtually new. Before the auction, Project Dragon is scheduled to be displayed at Christie’s Rockefeller Center in New York from Thursday, October 8 through Monday, October 12. 
Retromobile New York Auction Takes Place November 20-21
The RUF will cross the block during Gooding Christie’s inaugural Retromobile New York auction at the Javits Center on Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21, 2026.
The sale coincides with the first North American edition of Retromobile, which runs November 19-22 at the Javits Center. Public viewing for the Gooding Christie’s auction is currently scheduled for November 19-21.
Gooding Christie’s is the official auction house of Retromobile New York.
Collectability
Project Dragon occupies an unusual position in the RUF story. Rather than simply being a preserved CTR2-era automobile, it combines a W09 body-in-white retained from that period with a bespoke commission completed decades later using modern materials and chassis components. The car connects the air-cooled RUF era with a contemporary factory-built commission, while its involvement from Alois Ruf, Tony Hatter and specialist suppliers including Bilstein and OZ Racing gives the project direct links to several important names in German sports-car engineering and design.
Key Facts
| Specification / Detail | RUF Project Dragon |
| Vehicle | 1998 RUF Project Dragon |
| Configuration | One-off commission |
| Inspiration | RUF CTR2 Sport |
| Body basis | Final unused W09 body-in-white retained by RUF since the CTR2 era |
| Exterior color | Dragon Fire Orange |
| Bodywork | Bespoke carbon fiber |
| Engine | Bespoke air-cooled engine |
| Output | 621 hp at 6,500 rpm |
| Suspension | Bilstein PSS10 |
| Brakes | Carbon ceramic |
| Roll cage | RUF integrated roll cage |
| Wheels | Bespoke RUF center-lock wheels created for the project by OZ Racing |
| Designer involvement | Tony Hatter |
| Delivery | March 2024 |
| Mileage at cataloging | 759 miles |
| Auction estimate | $6 million–$8 million |
| Reserve | None; offered without reserve |
| Auction | Gooding Christie’s Retromobile New York Auctions |
| Auction dates | November 20-21, 2026 |
| Location | Javits Center, New York City |
| Public preview | November 19-21, 2026 |
| Rockefeller Center display | October 8-12, 2026 |
More Info
The auction dates and Javits Center venue are independently reflected on Gooding Christie’s current auction page and Christie’s sale page. Retromobile itself identifies November 19-22, 2026 as the dates for the overall New York event.
Above contents © 2026 Gooding Christies’, reviewed and edited by Rex McAfee , @rexmcafee 🏁
Photos © 2026 Mike Maez
RUF, RUF Project Dragon, RUF CTR2, RUF CTR2 Sport, Alois Ruf, Tony Hatter, Porsche 911, Porsche 993, Gooding Christie’s, Retromobile New York, Collector Cars, Car Auctions
