We Bet Most Of You Never Knew This Secret Porsche Existed

A singular Ruf-built Porsche 928R, created for Lee Kun-Hee, is set for sale at Amelia Island with remarkably low mileage

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Ruf has built its reputation on taking already serious Porsche 911s and turning them into something intimidating. In the 1980s, however, one of South Korea’s wealthiest businessmen asked for something very different. The result is a genuine one-off, and it is heading to the block with Gooding Christie’s at Amelia Island next month.

Instead of starting with a rear-engined 911, this project began with a front-engined Porsche 928. The car, appropriately named the 928R, was commissioned by Lee Kun-Hee, the former chairman of the Samsung Group. Ruf sourced an original Porsche body-in-white and developed the car from there, adding bespoke details and a series of performance upgrades that set it apart from any standard 928.

Read: This Is What Happens When Jerry Seinfeld And RUF Build A 911

Under the hood sits the 5.0-liter naturally-aspirated V8, reworked by Ruf to produce 360 hp and 354 lb-ft (480 Nm) of torque. That represents a healthy jump from the stock 316 hp and 317 lb-ft (430 Nm). Unlike the sharper-edged 911s of the era, the 928 was conceived as a refined grand tourer, so this example channels its extra muscle through a four-speed automatic transmission rather than a manual.

Gooding Christie’s

Beyond tweaking the engine, Ruf fitted the 928R with 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, beefed-up brakes with carbon ceramic discs, and gave it a shade of black paint. Found in the cabin is a combination of Black and Wine Red leather as well as cruise control, an electric sliding sunroof, and climate control.

The auction house says the 928R remained in Lee Kun-Hee’s collection for many years before being repurchased by Ruf itself and undergoing a thorough recommissioning. Despite its age, it has only been driven 1,560 miles (2,510 km), so it should come as no shock that it’s predicted to sell for between $400,000 and $500,000.

The car will be sold with the original books, tool kit, jack, air compressor, and first aid kit. Given that this is a true one-off, it is hard to imagine the next owner piling on the miles. More likely, it will settle into a carefully curated existence as a very expensive conversation piece.

Still, someone is about to spend serious money on a Ruf that isn’t a 911, which already makes this one interesting. Have a look at the listing over here, study the details, and decide for yourself whether it belongs under soft lights at a concours or out on the road where it can actually earn its keep.

Gooding Christie’s