A one-of-a-kind 1989 RUF CTR “Yellowbird” Lightweight—nicknamed Redbird—is set to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s next month with an estimated value between $4.5 and $5 million. One of only six Lightweight variants built, Redbird is the only example finished in Bordeaux Red through RUF’s paint-to-sample program.
Originally commissioned in 1988 by a German client, Dr. Dietrich, in direct collaboration with Alois Ruf, it features unique trim-to-sample Nutria leather and a host of bespoke components including RUF suspension, a transaxle, lightweight body panels, and a telemetry gauge.
Completed in September 1989, the car was initially kept in storage at RUF’s facility and reportedly used as Alois Ruf’s personal car. It remained largely unused until 2005, having covered just over 3,500 km by that time. Subsequent owners in Germany, Austria, Belgium, and the U.S. added minimal mileage, bringing the total to under 18,900 km today.
Redbird retains its numbers-matching 3.4L twin-turbo flat-six engine and includes a full suite of documentation—build sheet, factory correspondence, registration papers, manuals, and invoices. With one-off aesthetic touches like a Pfaffenhausen crest and chrome trim, combined with its unique provenance and rare factory Lightweight spec, this CTR represents one of the most distinctive and collectible RUF models ever offered for public sale.
Source: RM Sotheby’s
