Billionaire's Ride Can Now Be Yours: 2007 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet Modified By RUF

The 997 is a great base to build upon

No Porsche enthusiast, myself included, would scoff at any 997, even if it had the rather sluggish Tiptronic automatic from Mercedes-Benz. The 997 generation also gave us some noteworthy models like the last Porsche 911 Turbo with a manual as well as the last Mezger-powered Porsche 911. The example seen here has the six-speed manual, which I feel, is the right way to go for any 997.1. Of course, conversions are available if you want to go down that path. The base 997.1 Carrera 4S gets wider rear hips and an M97 flat-six. This was an evolution of the M96 engine, but sadly, it shared many of the same common issues. The M97 engine was also the last Porsche boxer engine, used in mainstream models to feature the traditional, multi-port fuel injection.

From 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet to RUF R Comrpessor Convertible

When a car looks like it should have come like this from the factory, you know someone has done a good job. This particular Porsche 911 benefits from RUF’s R Compressor convertible conversion. It started out as a 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet that got a RUF conversion, which was later complemented by exterior and interior parts by Reinald Mattes– those being the Matt Titanium Gray over a Cognac interior and roof. Last, but not least, is the "ergonomically-sculpted" steering wheel with carbon inserts. It is worth noting that this isn’t a RUF-build car as those have their very own, RUF VINs. You get a RUF body kit including front and rear bumpers, more akin to a 911 GT3, as well as a staggered set of 19-inch wheels with 235/35 ZR19 Pirelli tires at the front and 325/30 ZR19 at the rear.

Coming to the mechanical bits, the RUF R Compressor (Kompressor) kit, which cost about $35,000 back in the day, actually has two variants – one for the 3.6-liter M96 engine and the one featured here, which is for the 3.8-liter M97 unit. Performance modifications include a centrifugal-type supercharger, upgraded intercooler, intake and exhaust. The RUF package also includes upgraded brakes and sportier RUF-tuned Bilstein suspension. The RUF R Kompressor typically comes with a hood and spoiler made of Kevlar and carbon fiber, but it is not specified whether this particular car has them.

Here’s why going for the Cabriolet isn’t as bad as you may think

Now I know that there is a stigma surrounding the convertible body style, which is one of a heavy, old man’s cruiser as opposed to the sporty, fixed-head models. The question of chassis rigidity always comes up with this type of car, but Porsche engineers have done their job meticulously. The Porsche 997 was actually developed as a convertible first, which means chassis flexing should not be a thing here. More surprising is the fact that the 997 Carrera 4S Cabriolet is just 65 pounds heavier than the equivalent 997 Coupe, which tips the scales at 3,263 pounds. Another neat thing about the Cabriolet is that the active rear spoiler raises at a higher angle compared to the Carrera, to compensate for the convertible’s extra drag.

This 911 RUF R Compressor is up for grabs on Elfersport.com for EUR 98,500 ( $110,000). This is more than double the cost of what a stock 997.1 Carrera 4S Cab costs today but this one is obviously far from stock.Max from AutoTopNL, who drove the car recently, notes that the current owner has had it since 2010. One of the stand-out features of this conversion is obviously the supercharger. While you can’t necessarily hear that the whine, if you watch the video above you will note a distinctive bark at the red line, which is not present on the stock powerplant of the naturally aspirated flat-six. Has it made a difference to the performance, in my opinion, it is a definitive yes. This RUF conversion kit has certainly transformed this highly desirable analog 911 Carrera 4S Cab, and the fact that it happily tops out at 186 mph nearly two decades since it first hit the road, means that it has stood the test of time.