Wanderlust

Tag: Gooding & Company Amelia Island 2025

  • Adriatic Blue Ruf CTR2 993 Headed for Gooding Amelia Island Sale

    Adriatic Blue Ruf CTR2 993 Headed for Gooding Amelia Island Sale

    What: 1997 Ruf CTR2
    Color: Porsche Adriatic Blue (adriaticblau; non-metallic Uni; L50E; Porsche)
    VIN: W09BD0368VPR06008
    Mileage: 60,194 km, 37,403 miles
    Price Estimate: $2,000,000 to $2,500,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Gooding & Company Amelia Island Auction 2025, Amelia Island, FL
    Listing: Link

    Ruf placed itself decidedly on the performance car map in 1987 when its twin-turbocharged CTR dubbed “Yellowbird” showed up and dominated Road & Track‘s Top Speed Shootout, besting the likes of the Ferrari F40, Lamborghini Countach and Porsche 959. Then, in 1995, it launched a credible successor to the Yellowbird when it debuted the 993-based CTR2.

    Like the Yellowbird, the CTR2 was based on the narrow-body version of the 993-generation 911 and the reasoning was due to aerodynamic efficiency. Changes from the equivalent Porsche included a redesigned front bumper constructed from composite materials, larger air intakes, redesigned side sills, smoothed roof sans rain channels, more aerodynamic mirrors, composite rear bumper and redesigned rear spoiler with air intake feeding the induction air box and twin intercoolers located behind the wheels.

    Inside, the CTR2 received leather-wrapped sport seats, air conditioning, electric windows and Integrated Roll Cage (IRC).

    Under the engine cover was 520 hp Ruf-tuned engine derived from the 3.6-liter flat six of the 993 Turbo. For this application, it has been blueprinted and upgraded with larger BorgWarner K26/27 turbochargers, larger intercoolers, upgraded camshafts, pistons, an auxiliary oil cooler, an improved exhaust system and TAGtronic engine management, similar to what was used in the McLaren F1. This was paired to a Getrag 6-speed transaxle with CTR2 specific ratios and limited slip differential.

    Bilstein-supplied upgraded dampers were paired with Eibach springs and stiffer anti-roll bars. Braking was similarly augmented using Brembo stoppers all-round, while the car rolled on 18-inch forged magnesium 5-spoke wheels of Ruf’s own design.

    This particular CTR2 was delivered new to Japan in 1997, one of 18 examples ever built. Finished in Porsche Adriatic Blue, it featured optional all-wheel drive, lightweight black leather interior, carbon fiber bucket seats with Adriatic Blue color-matched backs, a leather wrapped roll cage, black painted brake calipers, body color center cap logos, a premium audio system with subwoofer and airbag delete.

    The car resided in Japan until 2020 when it was imported into the U.S. where only four examples are believed to be registered.

  • Blue Turquoise over Blue Porsche 911 / 993 Carrera S in Gooding Amelia Island Sale

    Blue Turquoise over Blue Porsche 911 / 993 Carrera S in Gooding Amelia Island Sale

    What: 1997 Porsche 911 Carrera S
    Color: Porsche Blue Turquoise (blautürkis; non-metallic Uni; J1; Porsche)
    VIN: WP0ZZZ99ZVS313771
    Mileage: 26,000 km, 16,155 miles
    Price Estimate: $250,000 to $300,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Gooding & Company Amelia Island Auction 2025, Amelia Island, FL
    Listing: Link

    Though striking, Blue Turquoise was a standard color during the 993-era 911. Nevertheless, it was relatively rare and even more rare when you consider details like Midnight Blue interior and color-matched wheels. That’s the case on this rest of world (ROW) example of a Porsche 911 Carrera S ordered by Mizwa, Porsche’s Japanese distributor.

    AT 26,000 km logged, this is an extremely low mileage car. Options include a Tiptronic S automatic transmission, air conditioning, those aforementioned painted wheel centers, tinted windscreen, electric seats, rear window wiper, multi-function display trip computer, lowered suspension, and “other features specific to the Japanese market” according to Gooding.

    One non-factory upgrade worth noting is the radio. The original factory radio has been replaced with a Porsche Classic unit.

  • Special Order Lapis Blue 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG in Gooding Amelia Island Sale

    Special Order Lapis Blue 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG in Gooding Amelia Island Sale

    What: 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG
    Color: Mercedes-Benz Lapis Blue Metallic (lapisblau; non-metallic Uni; 945U; Mercedes-Benz)
    VIN: WDB2020331F827875
    Mileage: 111,776 km, 69,454 miles
    Price Estimate: $60,000 to $80,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Gooding & Company Amelia Island Auction 2025, Amelia Island, FL
    Listing: Link

    During the era Mercedes-Benz was producing its first-generation W202 C-Class, special paint colors were less common than the more apparent MANUFAKTUR presence today. Bold colors like the Lapis Blue shade shown here were even less common, except perhaps in Europe where home market offerings were a bit more fanciful.

    When it comes to the W202 C43 AMG, only 3,085 of the cars were produced at all. This was the early Mercedes-owned AMG era, and the cars were made worthy of the badge by Stuttgart fitting its 4,266 cc DOHC V8 engine good for 302 hp paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission…. not to mention all the expected braking and suspension upgrades. These cars are often most easily spotted for their subtle bodywork upgrades and more obvious 17-inch Monoblock wheels.

    These cars are just becoming classics given their relative production years, not to mention the resurgence of the so-called “rad era”. They’re even more special when you see it’s a rare-at-the-time special order paint in a color as bold as this Lapis Blue hue. Worth noting, there’s a more commonly found Lapis Blue Metallic from Mercedes that is considerably darker.

    In period, this C43 was a competitor to the BMW M3 or Audi S4, so you have to wonder the thinking of the buyer who dreamed up this particular specification. As it turns out, the car was ordered via the Mercedes-Benz Stuttgart dealership. That’s literally ground zero when it comes to Mercedes-Benz home town, where Mercedes clientele probably don’t get any more savvy. You have to figure too that the owner of such a car wouldn’t want to be missed by Audi or BMW drivers (much less the Porsche types) while blasting down the unlimited speed zones of the A8 Autobahn between Stuttgart and Münich.

    We can draw conclusions, but whatever that buyer was thinking, he or she appears to be the only one thinking of it. This car is believed to be one of one, the only W202 C43 built in that particular bold Sonderlackierung (special-order) shade of Lapis Blue. Inside, that blue was paired with Graphite / Anthracite AMG leather upholstery (code 581A). It’s also reportedly got a long list of factory options.

    The car spent most of its life registered in Germany, remaining well-maintained, well-preserved and highly original without any modifications. To prove this, the offering includes documented owner history, the Mercedes-Benz factory data card, associated books and AMG Classic Conversion Certificate.