The Secret Porsche Built Exclusively for Samsung’s Chairman: The Unique Ruf 928R
Imagine a world where one of the most iconic tuners steps away from its usual rear-engine masterpieces to craft something entirely different on a front-engined grand tourer platform. That is exactly what happened in the late 1980s when Ruf created a one-of-a-kind vehicle tailored to the personal tastes of Lee Kun-Hee, the longtime chairman of Samsung. This bespoke project blended Porsche’s luxury heritage with Ruf’s engineering finesse, resulting in a car that stayed hidden in a private collection for decades before resurfacing recently.
Ruf started with a bare Porsche 928 body shell and built the entire machine from the ground up to meet the chairman’s vision of a powerful yet supremely comfortable coupe. The result was the Ruf 928R, a true unicorn since no other 928 ever received this level of transformation or a genuine Ruf VIN. Lee Kun-Hee, known for his passion for exceptional automobiles, wanted a grand tourer that delivered effortless performance without sacrificing everyday refinement, and Ruf delivered precisely that.
Under the hood sits a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine that Ruf revised extensively for smoother power delivery and greater strength. It produces around 360 horsepower along with 480 Nm of torque, channeled through a four-speed automatic transmission. While that might sound modest compared to modern supercars, it represented a meaningful upgrade over the standard Porsche 928 of the era and provided brisk acceleration paired with relaxed cruising ability. The car rides on independent suspension with coil springs at both ends, ensuring a plush ride suited to long-distance travel.
Ruf enhanced the stopping power with upgraded brakes featuring carbon-ceramic discs, wrapped the exterior in a sleek black paint finish, and fitted distinctive 19-inch wheels. Inside, the cabin features a sophisticated mix of black and dark red leather upholstery, along with desirable comforts such as air conditioning, cruise control, and an electric sunroof. These touches turned the 928R into a true luxury express rather than a stripped-down performance machine, setting it apart from Ruf’s more track-focused creations based on the 911.
For years the car remained part of Lee Kun-Hee’s impressive collection, often stored at the Samsung Yongin Speedway facility. With only about 1,568 miles showing on the odometer today, it essentially lived like a time capsule, barely driven and meticulously preserved. After the chairman’s passing in 2020, Ruf reacquired the vehicle and performed a careful mechanical recommissioning around 2021 to bring it back to pristine condition while honoring its original specifications.
This extraordinary piece of automotive history now heads to auction at Gooding Christie’s Amelia Island event, where experts estimate it could fetch between 400,000 and 500,000 dollars. Collectors prize it not just for its rarity but also for the fascinating story behind its creation, a reminder of how influential figures once commissioned truly bespoke machines. The 928R stands as a testament to Ruf’s versatility beyond its legendary Yellowbird-era work and Porsche’s enduring appeal in unexpected forms.
What do you think about this one-off grand tourer blending Porsche luxury with Ruf magic, and would you add something like it to your dream garage? Share your thoughts in the comments.
