Modified 1984 911 Carrera Coupe M491 5-Speed

The M491 option, known as the "Works Turbo Look" (WTL), was offered on the 1984-1989 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2, giving non-turbo models the aggressive styling and performance enhancements of the 930 Turbo. This package included the wide fenders, signature whale-tail spoiler, upgraded suspension, larger wheels, and the highly regarded Turbo brakes. In the United States, where the 911 Turbo was unavailable due to emissions regulations, the M491 option became a popular choice among enthusiasts seeking the closest experience to a Turbo without forced induction. In total, 1,397 Coupes were produced with the M491 package, making it a sought-after variant among collectors today.

With so few M491 cars built, you don’t see many modified like this Chiffon White over Black 1984 911 Carrera Coupe 5-Speed. And you certainly don’t see many modified by RUF. This example was sent from the US to RUF in Germany, where the flat-six’s displacement was increased to 3.4 liters, a RUF ECU was installed, and the fuel-injection system, clutch, and five-speed manual transaxle were revised. It spent time back and forth between the two countries over the last few decades accumulating 153,000 km (~95k miles) on the odometer but remaining in pretty nice condition as seen in the gallery with the seller pointing out the few minor flaws along with paint meter readings showing a bit of paintwork around the rear decklid. Included with the car was a scale model along with a binder full of service records and other documentation, including correspondence from RUF.

Standard M491 Coupes have remained fairly strong over the past few years with averages just over the $100,000 mark and two standouts, both from The White Collection which sold at $168,000* and a whopping $329,500* for a 468-mile car. Had our Spotlight car been your run-of-the-mill M491 Coupe, I believe it would have been an above average sale based on condition and service history alone. But having visited RUF earlier on in its life, it sold wayyy above average at a final bid of $212,000. Well sold, but an excellent example with great history.

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