Photgraphy by Patrick C. Paternie
Driver’s Notebook: Ruf RGT/RS
February 1, 2005
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The minimalist theme of the ’73 Carrera RS carries over to simple leather
interior door panels with an elastic-topped, Alcantara suede map pocket,
suede-covered door handles, and a suede cover for the side air bag. Other
interior changes include green-accented Ruf gauges, a beefy
leather-and-suede-wrapped Ruf steering wheel, and anodized aluminum pedal
covers. An anodized aluminum shift knob with a Ruf logo works a 6-speed manual
transmission that is modified to shorten the throws by 10 percent. (Click image to enlarge)
The doors, hood, and rear decklid with a stylized version of the 1973 RS’s signature ducktail spoiler are constructed of carbon fiber to trim weight. A larger, adjustable carbon fiber rear wing, complete with carrying case, quickly bolts in place for added downforce at the racetrack. Besides the ducktail spoiler, Ruf’s homage to the original Carrera is characterized by the RGT/RS script along the lower sills, and exterior colors such as Viper Green, Signal Orange, and others from Porsche’s early 1970s color palette.
Bolt-on style fender extensions continue the old-school styling theme. The metalwork beneath them has been sculpted by Ruf to allow for larger rear tires and a wider track to improve handling and stability. A Ruf-tuned adjustable suspension is also part of the package, as are Ruf-designed 18-inch, three-piece alloy wheels, Ruf six-piston brake calipers, and enormous cross-drilled brake rotors.
The 3.6-liter engine benefits from intake and exhaust tuning, plus some engine-management-system tweaking to raise the power level to 395 hp. It revs easily to the 8,000-rpm mark on the tachometer with a magnificent range of sounds that begins as a mechanical murmur and builds to a potent growl at midrange. At around 5,000 rpm, the growl explodes into a raspy scream.
It is sweet music to the ears of any 911 aficionado. When the road straightens out so I can finally run flat out through the gears, Ruf grins at me, enjoying the symphony–his car is being used as it was designed to be. The factory GT3 has a tendency to get loose at the rear in tight turns, so I am a bit tentative at first in the Ruf version. No worries, mate. The Ruf car just digs in and motors through the turns. The steering has a nice, hefty on-center feel and communicates what the front tires are doing on the road, a trademark of the early 911s that has been damped out of the newer cars. The car also responds instantly to steering input, just like a racecar.
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In addition to the ducktail spoiler, there is an adjustable carbon
fiber wing for additional downforce when racing at the track. (Click image to enlarge)The Mexico blue RGT/RS now belongs to Joe Carastro of Santa Barbara, Calif. He first became acquainted with Alois Ruf about 20 years ago while he was living in Germany and had Ruf restore the 1973 Carrera RS lightweight that was his daily driver for eight years. Carastro says the RGT/RS is the “best lightweight Carrera RS” you can own.
After driving the car again on the tight and twisty roads of California’s
Central Coast, I can say that Ruf has definitely built a thoroughly modern 911
that captures the sound and feel of the early cars while providing
state-of-the-art performance and comfort.
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PORSCHE ENTHUSIASTS LOOKING for the ultimate 911 in 1973 just had to dial “M”
followed by either 471 or 472. These were the option codes for the Carrera RS
Sport (M471) and Carrera RS Touring (M472). The Carrera RS Sport was a
lighter-weight version of the 911S intended for club racers who subscribed to
the less-is-more theory of performance with thinner-gauge steel body panels,
thinner window glass, and the absence of carpet, insulation, and rear seats.
Recaro sport seats, a ducktail spoiler, 7-inch-wide rear wheels, and a
distinctive Carrera-script side stripe were part of the package, along with a
210 hp, 2.7-liter flat-six engine. Only 200 were built. Porsche built 1,308 of
the heavier Touring versions, which went from zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and
had a 149 mph top speed. (Click image to enlarge)
Ruf Automobile
888.783.6872
www.rufautocentre.com
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