Skip advert
Advertisement

Ruf Bergmeister Spyder Prototype revealed at Monterey Car Week

Longstanding Porsche tuner Ruf has revealed a chop-top 993 inspired by period hillclimb racers

Never one to be afraid to push the boundaries of what can be considered a Porsche resto-mod, Ruf has revealed one of its more dramatic projects called the Bergmeister Spyder Prototype (BSP) at The Quail in Monterey. Taking the form of a heavily modified 993 featuring a turbocharged flat-six motor, it’s been inspired by the 906, 909 BergSpyder and 718 RS 60 hillclimb competition cars, and previews new 993-specific elements it’ll offer in future.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Rather than starting from scratch, as Ruf does with models like the modern SCR and Yellowbird, the BSP utilises a 993-era steel chassis that’s wrapped in a bespoke carbonfibre skin. All the panels, including the doors, wings, bonnet and engine-lid, and the rear tonneau are bespoke, with the tiny rear bumper tucked right up into the rear lights, revealing a complex spaghetti exhaust system. 

This, together with the rear lip that’s integrated into the rear wings, gives the BSP a very unique look, one that draws a clear parallel to the hillclimb cars that form its inspiration. To emphasise this further, the standard windscreen and its surround have been replaced with a frameless wind deflector that curves right around to the leading edges of the front doors. 

The engine hiding behind the exhaust system is Ruf’s dry-sump, turbocharged 3.6-litre flat-six with sequential multi-port fuel injection. Peak power is rated at 450bhp at 5500rpm, with torque peaking at 442lb ft at 4500rpm. This is paired with a six-speed manual transmission powering the rear wheels via a mechanical limited-slip differential. No performance figures have yet been revealed.

To keep all of this newfound performance under control, the BSP runs 350mm carbon ceramic brake discs with six- and four-piston calipers front and rear. No kerb weight has been published, either, but this is usually the case with vehicles at this initial prototype stage. 

With the 911 restomod world constantly reinventing essentially the same sports car again and again, it’s easy to be lost in the subtle, but meaningful variations. Yet the Bergmeister Spyder Prototype proves that there’s still plenty of interpretations left to explore, even if they get further and further away from what a 911 is at its very core – the ultimate usable sports car.  

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Kamm’s latest Porsche 912 restomod has less power than a basic BMW 3-series, but we don’t mind
Kamm 912T – front
News

Kamm’s latest Porsche 912 restomod has less power than a basic BMW 3-series, but we don’t mind

Kamm Manufaktur has unveiled a new Porsche 912-based restomod, and it could be the perfect antidote to the modern power race
7 Aug 2025
Porsche 963 RSP 2025 review – driving the ultimate one-off Le Mans racer for the road
Porsche 963 RSP review front
Reviews

Porsche 963 RSP 2025 review – driving the ultimate one-off Le Mans racer for the road

That the 963 RSP even exists is absurd. Driving it felt like a fever dream
13 Jul 2025
The Porsche 963 RSP is a road-going Le Mans Hypercar (sort of)
Porsche 963 RSP – front
News

The Porsche 963 RSP is a road-going Le Mans Hypercar (sort of)

Porsche has converted a 963 WEC racer for road use – with one or two caveats
6 Jun 2025
Porsche's EV U-turn means more new petrol cars and hybrids are coming
2025 Porsche 911 GT3
News

Porsche's EV U-turn means more new petrol cars and hybrids are coming

The 911 will get even more exclusive and desirable variants with increased customisability going forward
12 Mar 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Used Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk5, 2004 - 2009) review – one of the best VWs of the last 30 years
VW Golf GTI Mk5 front
In-depth reviews

Used Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk5, 2004 - 2009) review – one of the best VWs of the last 30 years

Volkswagen's quintessential hot hatch saw a stunning return to form in Mk5 guise. It’s aged like a fine wine and is an appreciating modern classic tod…
2 Sep 2025
Boxster and Cayman are dead – Porsche’s sweet-spot sports cars axed
Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4
News

Boxster and Cayman are dead – Porsche’s sweet-spot sports cars axed

The ultimate goldilocks sports cars of our time finally bow out. The segment has lost its all-time great benchmarks
2 Sep 2025
Best cars of the 1990s – the ultimate driver’s cars from three decades ago
Best '90s cars
Best cars

Best cars of the 1990s – the ultimate driver’s cars from three decades ago

The 1990s was a goldilocks decade in some ways – new technologies married old-school sensibilities in sensational driver’s cars
30 Aug 2025