A Bird's Flight Across Europe

[Speedy Samurai]

I was in my editor’s office discussing ideas for an upcoming article.
“How about if I take the new Maserati MC12 around the Nurburgring?” I offered. (I love the Ring.)
“Yes, you love the Ring”, he answered, “and so does everyone else, but we don’t want to be repetitive, do we? Do we?”
In my head, an idea had been biding its time, and, sensing the right moment, came forth.
“Give me an old European sports car, not too old though, and let me drive it across Europe to see if it still impresses.”
“That’s not a bad idea”, he said after thinking a moment, “Not bad at all. Where do you want to go in Europe?”
“Maybe Italy, Monaco, Paris. Then the Nurburgring in Germany.”
“No Ring! But I like this idea. Leave it with me and I will figure out the details. I will have to make some calls.”
“What about the Autobahn?” I countered.
“We’ll see.”

Back in his office a week later I was being given the details.
“You and Sam (the photographer) are going to pick up the car in Amalfi, Italy and drive it to the owner’s residence in Stuttgart, Germany”, he informed us.
“Why is the car in Italy when he is in Germany?” I queried.
“Amalfi is his summer home, where he keeps the car. But he wants it back in Stuttgart and doesn’t want to have to pay someone to transport it. I told him we’d take care of everything.”
“Do I get to see Paris?”
“Yes, Paris is fine. You will have a few days. Oh, and no Autobahn.”
“Aw. And exactly what car is it?”
“You’ll see” he smiled.

Day 1: Amalfi
Amalfi is an important tourist town in Campania, Italy on the Gulf of Salerno, forty kilometers southeast of Naples. Gorgeous Italian architecture impresses at every turn. Interestingly enough, Amalfi has also been included in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. But this was to be our starting point so I would have to return at a later time if I wanted to play tourist. Sounds like a good idea to me. Sam and I found our little hotel and went to bed, eager for the next day when we would meet our ride.

The next morning dawned bright and beautiful. We at a small breakfast at the hotel and then went out into Amalfi to hunt down our soon-to-be cross-nation sports car. Amalfi is small so locating our donor’s summer home was rather simple. As we walked up the driveway someone was waiting for us at the top. The owner was still in Stuttgart and whether the person who greeted us was his son, or attendant, or gardener, we still don’t know. As the donor had requested anonymity, we didn’t ask.
“Would you like to see your ride?” the person in the driveway asked us.
Of course we did! He pushed a button on a small remote he had been holding and the garage door lifted open revealing; Good God!
The car in the garage was a coupe. It was yellow with black trim. A tiny badge on the bonnet revealed the manufacturer but I did not need to look to know what this car was.
“It’s the (expletive) Yellowbird!” Sam cried.
Indeed it was.

History of RUF and the Yellowbird

The Yellowbird is a RUF (pronounced Roof). If you don’t already know what a RUF is I am wondering why you read automotive magazines at all.
Alois Ruf Sr. started out operating a small garage in the Allgau region of Germany. His son, Alois Ruf Jr., would take over the company after his father’s death and turn it into something akin to automotive royalty. Located in Pfaffenhausen, Germany (close to the Autobahn) Alois Jr had the perfect setting to test his Porsche based cars. Starting out repairing and tuning Porsches he took the next step and worked to create his own machines. In 1981 the German automotive authority for vehicle safety awarded RUF manufacturer status, with the United States following in 1987. (Recently Porsche tuning company 9ff has been awarded manufacturer status, as well.)
1987 was a good year for RUF and the automotive world. RUF unveiled what Road and Track would later call ‘The Yellowbird’ (due to its bright yellow paint job.), the CTR. With a top speed of 342 kilometers an hour and a 0-60 mph time of just 3.7 seconds the RUF CTR Yellowbird was the fastest car in the entire decade of the eighties.

With a 3366 cubic centimeter, inline 6 cylinder, twin turbo engine the CTR puts out 469 bhp and 480 ft of torque. Weighing only 1150 kilos we can see why this car is a rear-engine, rear-wheel drive rocket! Only twenty-three Yellowbirds were manufactured between 1987 and 1995 making it a rarity highly sought after by collectors.
So the legendary Yellowbird was to be our steed across Europe. I love my job!

 

[Speedy Samurai]

Amalfi to Naples

We were to take the CTR along the coastal roads to Naples where we would then hit the motorway to Monaco. This seemed like a sound plan to me. I could get used to the RUF’s handling on the more twisting country roads before opening it up on the motorways of Europe. A thought did occur to me then; My budgeted amount for petrol may be insufficient.
The fifty kilometer drive to Naples from Amalfi was glorious with the brilliant weather on a scenic coastal drive through small villages. The RUF is monstrous under the hood and I found myself wanting to put the pedal down. I abstained for the moment.



Once in Naples we stopped for some lunch and discussed the rest of our drive. Same took the opportunity to snap a few more pictures of our lovely ‘bird friend. At this point I think both Sam and I still could not believe our good fortune.


Naples to Monaco

After finishing with our break the first of our long distance treks began. It is 881 kilometers or so, on motorways and toll roads, from Naples to Monaco. We would be passing by Rome, Firenze, and Genova. Pre-trip research indicated the journey should last around 8 hours. That’s a fair amount of time behind the wheel. Of course, stopping for petrol multiple times would allow us to stretch our legs. We figured we would be arriving in Monaco in the wee hours of the morning. I had Sam call the hotel to re-confirm our reservations and we set off.
The RUF loves the motorways! Sam and I said nothing to each other the first hour of this leg. We were both content to listen to the engine behind us. The engine note of the Yellowbird is as distinct as they come. A shrill, high-pitch sound that eggs you on to do bigger(and faster) things. Occasionally I would emit a girlish giggle as I would slip it into 4th gear to pass a slower moving vehicle. The feedback the steering gives you is highly sensitive as the rear wheels push you through the turn. This car will succumb to easy power-over over-steer if you let it.
Eventually Sam and I started conversing again, mostly about RUF and the Yellowbird. Sam turned out to be quite knowledgeable about this car and its history and I was fairly surprised.
“I am more than the pretty face behind the camera”, he said to me.
Several exchanges, petrol/food/photo stops, and 9 hours later we arrived in Monaco. As predicted, it was an early pre-dawn morning and we headed straight to our hotel to get some much needed rest. We would explore Monaco in several hours upon awakening.

 

[Speedy Samurai]

Day 2:Monaco

The alarm in the hotel room went off disturbing my deep sleep. I didn’t want to wake up, but then I remembered where I was. I was in a hotel room in Monaco with a RUF Yellowbird downstairs in the secure parking! Sam was already awake, going through some of his camera equipment. A quick shower and breakfast and we headed out the door.

Monaco is a country, more like a city, well, is a city that is a country. A population of roughly 35,000 dwells in a geographic area of two square kilometers making it the third smallest country in the world. Wedged between France and the Mediterranean Sea, Monaco is a perfect tourist/holiday spot. And they hold the Formula One Monaco GP here. Cool!
We took the Yellowbird over some of the same roads the F1 cars race on. Stopping for a moment or two to admire the view and take more pictures. Monaco residents (for the most part) are wealthy enough to have seen some interesting things but the RUF always drew second glances. All right, we decided, let’s go to Paris.



Monaco to Paris

Again toll road for the most part, Monaco to Paris is a distance of roughly 954 kilometers, another 9 hour drive. Basically a repeat of the day before, that is pretty much what it was. We passed through Nice and Cannes early on and Valence later. More petrol stops, with food and photographs thrown in. As we neared Paris it started to rain heavily. We had been making good time up to that point. However, I wasn’t entirely comfortable driving a rear-wheel drive, 400-plus horsepower monster in the wet. I eased off the throttle and, fortunately, the rain eased up on us. Arriving in the dark of night, we drove the almost deserted, damp roads of Paris towards our hotel.
“Look!” Sam exclaimed “It’s the Arc de Triomphe!”
And there it was, just outside my driver’s window. Normally you don’t get a chance to stop your vehicle to admire the monument, but at this time of the night, we thought we could chance it. We arrived at the hotel later than expected.

 

[Speedy Samurai]

Day 3: Paris

Awake, showered, and fed the next morning, we set out around the streets of Paris. Taking photographs, drawing crowds, and answering lots of questions. Even the French, with their refined tastes, loved the Yellowbird.


We called off our ‘Tour de Paris’ early to start the next leg of our journey. We wanted to be through the French Alps before nightfall. That meant we were taking the RUF through the ski resort town of Chamonix, Mont Blanc, France.

Paris to Chamonix

It is only 616 kilometers, by motorways, to Chamonix from Paris. Roughly 6 hours. 6 hours? That’s it? Compared to our previous two days this seemed a cake walk. And it was. We did it in 5.
I found the French country side to be the perfect place to open up the CTR. Long straights of road welcomed us. Autoroute A6, with a maximum speed limit of 130 km/h (in good weather) was our victim. With the rain long gone and roads dry again I pushed downward on the accelerator. This car is fast! Of course it is. It holds all those speed records. No, numbers on a spreadsheet don’t even come close to making you realize how truly fast it is. For the first time on our trip I was able to put it into 5th gear. I took it up to 255 km/h (very quickly I might add) before deciding that I should give into my fear and “Slow the (expletive) down!” as Sam suggested. I did.


We enjoyed a leisurely pace through the French Alps, stopping for photographs occasionally and chatting about our trip up to that point. The French Alps are breathtakingly spectacular and the vehicle we were driving did not seem out of place amidst such beauty. Some new snow had fallen before we arrived and the snow teams hadn’t removed it all from the roads. I crawled along the mountain passes being careful not to break the rear end loose. This car was built in 1987, almost 20 years ago. Traction control? What’s that?


We stopped for some dinner at a resort hotel and relaxed before jumping back in the car for the final leg of our journey. Stuttgart, our final destination and where we would part ways with one of the most mind-boggling automobiles on the planet.

Chamonix to Stuttgart

The 465 kilometers through Switzerland to Stuttgart, Germany were bittersweet. But of course we enjoyed ourselves. Taking the A1 all the way through Geneva and Bern then into Germany we covered the distance in 5 hours or so.

Upon arriving at the estate in Stuttgart it was with a tremendous sense of satisfaction that I turned off the ignition key (leaving it behind the visor as instructed) and exited the car for the last time. As Sam removed his equipment I spent another moment basking in the glory that is the RUF CTR Yellowbird.
The RUF Yellowbird still knocks socks off almost 20 years after its immergence. Nothing compared with the Yellowbird in the mid eighties (F40 aside). And, I had the pleasure of experience, it is as impressive today as it was then.


Summation

All told, we traveled roughly 3000 kilometers spanning 5 countries in 3 days. We paid a total of 160.4 Euros on toll charges. Our original budget for petrol: 175 Euros. Actual petrol cost: almost twice that. Good times.

 

[Speedy Samurai]

Editor's Notes:

I was rather pleased with the results my boys come up with for this article. They drove on the correct side of the road and had no accidents. I was particularly impressed with Sam's photography. Not only did he get great shots of the car and the scenery, he avoided photographs of local advertisements and that saved a lot of hassle for our legal department.

 

[niky]

As always, impressed by the photography. Always wanted to do a road trip article myself.

Nice job! Nice car! Almost feels like the real thing...

 

[Smallhorses]

FcUK me, readers! (yeah I know it's a corny way around the swear filter, but it's a recognised brand name, and this piece of work deserves a few expletives of admiration!)
Some of these magazine style articles that you fellas are writing really take me back to the days in the early 80's when I used to buy CAR magazine as a schoolkid and revel in the joys of LJK Setwright and other, then unknown motoring journalists, who went on to TOP GEAR fame!
Excellent job, creative writing, superb photos, & an A-1 package! Keep up the good work. Looking forward to more! 👍

 

[AlfaAlfa]

Almost feels like the real thing...

It does! Made me wish I could make that road trip for reals...

great read, I really enjoyed it :-)

 

[ViXeN]

Speachless!!!!

 

[niky]

@Smallhorses: Shame about Setwright, though... didn't he just pass away recently?

back on-topic: PROPS! @speedy, yes, I'm digging it.

 

[kennythebomb]

EXCELLENT.

Nothing else needs to be said.

 

[VeDub6785]

i think awsome just about sums up that whole thing right there.

 

[toke81]

wow...great stuff

i was saddened when it ended...i wish it could have gone on to new york, seattle, etc. (there is a bridge across the atlantic, you know)

 

[Speedy Samurai]

Glad everyone is enjoying it. That encourages me to keep going.

 

[AMG.]

Excellent write up Speedy and nice pictures to go along with it Sam.👍
I should come here more often.

AMG

 

[franz]

Very nice write up
I love those pictures that trying to prove your were there

 

[DeLoreanBrown]

Utterly believe s_s ! It is an LJK S.European Photo Spread !



But i give up , WhereTF are ;

Naples to Monaco

Day 2:Monaco
​

Day 3: Paris
​

THESE exceptional takes , that's course attention 👍

 

[Speedy Samurai]

Utterly believe s_s ! It is an LJK S.European Photo Spread !



But i give up , WhereTF are ;
THESE exceptional takes , that's course attention 👍

1: On the Costa Di Amalfi track. When the car goes behind the mountain into the shadows. I just zoomed out. A lot.

2: Monaco at the first corner. I just moved the camera around and got that shot

3: opera Paris, during the replay the camera angle looks to be shot from up on a building, I just moved the camera around.

 

[Moloch_horridus]

Great write up, enjoyed it a lot. Look forward to more...

While I hate to be a pedantic pita I just can't help myself... doesn't the Yellowbird have a flat 6?

With a 3366 cubic centimeter, inline 6 cylinder, twin turbo engine the CTR puts out 469 bhp and 480 ft of torque.

 

[Ezz777]

Great write up, enjoyed it a lot. Look forward to more...

While I hate to be a pedantic pita I just can't help myself... doesn't the Yellowbird have a flat 6?

Flat / Inline - ... meh ... doesn't matter, there are still six of the bad boys and they crank when it gets down to it.

Good stuff SS.

 

[ZZII]

Absolutely amazing. 👍 👍

 

[Lamboracer]

Where are those last three pictures, like track.

 

[Speedy Samurai]

Where are those last three pictures, like track.

Deep Forest

 

[McLaren]

Excellent man!

Ever consider another one like this? Like American or Asian trip?

 

[Speedy Samurai]

Excellent man!

Ever consider another one like this? Like American or Asian trip?

I am working on it...

 

[McLaren]

Sweet.

Thanks to you, I am doing an around the world one.
Still can't decide on the car, but I can't wait to start on it.

I don't want to make it to similiar to yours as I wouldn't want to have a copycat idea. But I will give credit to you once I'm done for the idea. 👍

 

[Speedy Samurai]

Sweet.

Thanks to you, I am doing an around the world one.
Still can't decide on the car, but I can't wait to start on it.

I don't want to make it to similiar to yours as I wouldn't want to have a copycat idea. But I will give credit to you once I'm done for the idea. 👍

Looking forward to it. Let me know when it's done.