One-Off RUF Project Dragon Heads to Rétromobile New York With $8 Million High Estimate

A one-off RUF creation, constructed from a rare 1990s chassis, is expected to become the most expensive vehicle from the manufacturer ever sold at auction. Known as “Project Dragon,” the vehicle carries a pre-sale estimate of $6 million to $8 million ahead of its appearance at the inaugural Rétromobile New York sale.

The auction, scheduled for November 20–21, 2026, at the Javits Center, marks the first North American expansion of the famed European Rétromobile event. Offered by Gooding & Company—now part of the unified Gooding Christie’s brand—the car will be sold without reserve. If it reaches its high estimate, it will comfortably surpass the current RUF auction record of $6.055 million set by a 1989 CTR “Yellowbird” in March 2025.

The Project Dragon produces 621 hp from its bespoke air-cooled flat-six powerplant.

The 1998 Chassis Mystery

While Project Dragon was delivered to its first owner in March 2024, its origins date back more than 25 years. The vehicle was built using the final unused “W09” body-in-white chassis that RUF had held in its inventory since the original CTR2 production run ended in the late 1990s.

This “new-old-stock” foundation allowed RUF to create a modern interpretation of its classic air-cooled lineage. The design was a collaboration between RUF and Tony Hatter, the designer responsible for the Porsche 993. The resulting bodywork balances the aesthetic of the 993-era with modern aerodynamic requirements, featuring a significant rear wing and specialized venting for the turbocharged powerplant.

Technical Specifications and Performance

Underneath the bodywork is a bespoke 3.6-liter air-cooled twin-turbocharged flat-six engine. The power unit produces 621 hp at 6,500 rpm, representing a 40 hp increase over the original CTR2 Sport from the 1990s.

The vehicle's carbon fiber bodywork was designed in collaboration with Tony Hatter.

To manage the high power output, the car is equipped with a specialized suspension setup. Despite its high-performance capabilities, the car has seen limited use since its delivery, showing just 759 miles on the odometer at the time of cataloging.

The sale of Project Dragon represents a rare intersection of a historical “new-old-stock” chassis and modern bespoke engineering. Because it is being offered without reserve, the final hammer price will be determined entirely by the floor at the Javits Center, making it one of the most watched lots of the upcoming New York auction season.

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