The Exclusive Ruf 928R: Samsung's Late Chairman's Bespoke Grand Tourer

This article explores the singular Ruf 928R, a custom-built Porsche commissioned by the late Samsung chairman, Lee Kun-hee. This exceptional vehicle, a testament to its owner's refined taste, marries Porsche's engineering with Ruf's specialized enhancements. It transcends the typical sports car, offering a blend of high performance and opulent comfort, distinguishing itself as a truly unique grand tourer.

The narrative delves into the car's creation, from its factory-fresh Porsche body to Ruf's meticulous modifications. It highlights the elevated power output, bespoke interior, and advanced braking system, all contributing to its character as a sophisticated, high-performance machine. The article also touches upon its recent auction appearance, where, despite its allure, it did not reach its reserve price, underscoring its rare and coveted status.

The Genesis of a Bespoke Grand Tourer

The exclusive Ruf 928R, conceived for the late Samsung visionary Lee Kun-hee, stands as a testament to unparalleled automotive customization. Far from being a mere production model, this vehicle emerged from a 'body-in-white' delivered directly from Porsche, signifying a ground-up, tailored creation. Kun-hee, known for his vast wealth and discerning tastes, sought not just a car, but a unique extension of his persona, a machine that blended high performance with the utmost luxury. This vision led him to Ruf, a name synonymous with high-performance Porsche modifications, to craft a grand tourer that would be both potent and exceptionally refined, distinct from Ruf's more overtly aggressive creations like the CTR 'Yellowbird'.

The meticulous process of transforming the standard Porsche 928 into the Ruf 928R involved significant engineering and aesthetic enhancements. Ruf's expert technicians elevated the 5.0-liter V-8 engine's output to an impressive 360 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, ensuring formidable performance. The vehicle's exterior was finished in a sleek black, complemented by an opulent burgundy red leather interior, further accented by an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, epitomizing bespoke luxury. Recently, the car underwent further upgrades, including carbon-ceramic brakes and 19-inch five-spoke wheels, enhancing both its safety and contemporary appeal. This Ruf 928R, with its four-speed automatic transmission, was clearly designed for elegant touring rather than aggressive track performance, embodying a unique fusion of power and luxury that caters to the sophisticated preferences of its original owner.

Exclusivity and Unfulfilled Auction Aspirations

The Ruf 928R, a singular creation commissioned by Lee Kun-hee, the late leader of Samsung, epitomizes automotive exclusivity and luxury. This unique grand tourer, born from a 'body-in-white' delivered by Porsche and meticulously crafted by Ruf, was designed to be a personal statement for a man whose interests spanned from extensive art collections to spearheading South Korea's Olympic bid. His passion for one-of-a-kind vehicles extended to commissioning custom projects, and the Ruf 928R, distinct in its black exterior and burgundy red leather interior with an Alcantara steering wheel, perfectly embodied this desire for unparalleled individuality. Its recent appearance at the Gooding Christie's auction at the Amelia Island Concours, however, concluded without meeting its reserve, highlighting the challenges of pricing such a uniquely specified and historically significant automobile.

The vehicle's rarity is further underscored by its pristine condition and remarkably low mileage, with just under 1600 miles on the odometer, indicating it was more a treasured possession than a regularly driven car, consistent with Kun-hee's vast collection. While Ruf is more widely recognized for its high-performance, track-focused models like the CTR 'Yellowbird', the 928R showcases a different facet of the tuner's capability: creating a powerful yet supremely comfortable grand tourer. The enhancements, including an uprated 5.0-liter Porsche V-8 engine producing 360 horsepower and modern carbon-ceramic brakes, were tailored for refined performance rather than raw speed. The failure to sell at auction, despite its bespoke nature, impressive specifications, and connection to a global industrialist, suggests that its intrinsic value as a unique artifact may surpass conventional market estimations for collector cars, leaving its future ownership uncertain but its legendary status intact.