"Only One in the World"...Custom-Built "Lee Kun-hee Porsche" Heads to Auction

[Financial News] A one-of-a-kind Porsche once owned by the late Lee Kun-hee, former chairman of Samsung Group, is going up for auction.

Gooding & Company, a U.S.-based auction house, announced that a Porsche "RUF 928R" will be offered at its sale on March 5 and 6 (local time) on Amelia Island in the State of Florida. The car is estimated to fetch between at least $400,000 (about 586 million won) and up to $500,000 (about 730 million won).
The RUF 928R is a one-off model, the only example of its kind in the world. RUF Automobile, a German Porsche specialist, built it in 1989 specifically for the late Lee Kun-hee.
The work went far beyond simply swapping parts on a standard Porsche 928. The car was reworked from the bare, unpainted body shell through to final assembly. In the engine bay, a special plaque bearing Lee’s name is affixed.
The exterior is finished in black, while the cabin combines wine-red leather with an Alcantara steering wheel. The design maximizes the distinctive classic character of the late 1980s.
Its performance is equally impressive. The 5.0-liter V8 engine was re-engineered and tuned to produce 360 horsepower and 48.9 kg·m of peak torque.
Modern technology was also added, including 19-inch RUF-specific wheels, a carbon-ceramic braking system, and an upgraded exhaust. With a mileage of only about 2,560 kilometers (1,568 miles), the car is considered to be in near-new condition.
For many years, the vehicle was kept as a core asset of the Samsung Collection. RUF Automobile later repurchased it and completed a full restoration at its headquarters in Pfaffenhausen in 2021.
Observers say the car fully reflects the tastes of the late Lee Kun-hee, who showed deep interest in automotive technology and collected numerous supercars, including Bugatti, Ferrari, and Lamborghini models.
An auction representative explained, "Lee’s collection focuses on models that are significant from a technological standpoint," adding, "This car, built exclusively for him by one of the world’s leading manufacturers, carries tremendous historical value."

moon@fnnews.com Moon Young-jin Reporter