Rare Porsches steal the spotlight in an epic Henry Catchpole film

Broad Arrow, a Hagerty company, has teamed up with renowned automotive journalist Henry Catchpole for a new instalment of Hagerty’s The Driver’s Seat series. This latest film showcases two exceptionally rare Porsche models recently consigned to Broad Arrow Private Sales – the Porsche 911 TAG Turbo and the RUF CTR Anniversary.

For the first time, these two Mint Green machines are filmed together, letting enthusiasts see and hear them. Catchpole takes both for a spin on the picturesque yet demanding Anglesey Circuit, exploring their distinct personalities and performance characteristics. Lucky man.

Thrills on the Track

Driving both cars as they were meant to be driven, Catchpole delivers a gripping analysis. The RUF CTR Anniversary, with its 710hp engine powering only the rear wheels, proved to be an adrenaline-fuelled experience. He described it as “utterly extreme” and a “proper wild child.”

The Porsche 911 TAG Turbo, however, won him over with its balance of raw power and refined engineering. Expecting a car defined by its Formula One-derived engine, Catchpole was surprised by its overall poise, concluding that it felt like “one of the very best 911s” ever built. Remarkably, despite its motorsport roots, it remains perfectly suited to road use.

The RUF CTR Anniversary – A Modern Masterpiece

The 2023 RUF CTR Anniversary is a rare gem – one of only 50 ever made. Finished in a striking Paint-to-Sample (PTS) Mint Green, it boasts a Black Alcantara interior and an array of high-performance options. These include a front axle lift, Kevlar carbon bucket seats, lightweight doors, and a harness crossbar in Alcantara.

Under the bonnet, a 710hp twin-turbocharged flat-six pairs with a seven-speed manual gearbox, launching the car from 0-62 mph in just 3.5 seconds. With a top speed of 224 mph, it is as fast as it is exclusive.

RUF’s founder, Alois Ruf, proudly describes this car as a milestone in the company’s history: “The first automobile that was completely conceived and manufactured by us marks a very special chapter in our company’s history, a 30th birthday celebration of the Yellowbird.”

The Porsche 911 TAG Turbo – A Fusion of Icons

The 1988 Porsche 911 TAG Turbo is even rarer – one of just 11 ever built by Lanzante. This particular example was completed in 2020 and has covered fewer than 300 miles since then. Like the RUF, it is finished in Mint Green but features a unique Black leather and Blue/Green tartan cloth interior.

What makes this 911 truly special is its heart: a 1.5-litre TAG Turbo TTE P01 V6 Formula One engine. Originally developed by Porsche for McLaren, this engine once powered Alain Prost’s race car in the 1986 German Grand Prix and the 1987 Hungarian and Japanese Grands Prix. With a redline of 10,250rpm and a top speed of 200 mph, it offers a blend of motorsport history and Porsche road car heritage unlike anything else.

Dean Lanzante, the visionary behind the TAG Turbo project, emphasises its uniqueness: “It’s a car that celebrates history, the history between two amazing brands. But it will remain extremely rare because it has to be. We couldn’t get any more engines from McLaren, so this is it. There will never be another car like it.”

An Inside Look at the Film

Broad Arrow’s VP of Sales for EMEA, Joe Twyman, played a key role in the film, providing driver support and getting behind the wheel of the second car. An experienced racer himself, Twyman shared his perspective on these exceptional machines: “While both are finished in the same colour, the cars themselves are very different. Both are extremely powerful but encourage the driver to get the best from them. They are also beautifully built, exceptionally well-developed, and compliant both on track and on the road.”

The RUF CTR Anniversary sold quickly, highlighting Broad Arrow’s talent for matching collectors with the perfect car. Meanwhile, the Porsche 911 TAG Turbo was on display at the Retromobile show in Paris from 5–9 February 2025, giving potential buyers a chance to see this extraordinary piece of automotive history up close.

The Story Behind the Porsche TAG Turbo

Porsche and McLaren began collaborating in 1981 when Ron Dennis sought a turbocharged Formula One engine. Initially, Porsche declined, but later agreed to develop a 1.5-litre twin-turbo V6, funded by Techniques d’Avant Garde (TAG).

This engine powered McLaren’s MP4/2 cars to dominant success. In 1984, McLaren won 12 of 16 Grands Prix, securing both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships. Alain Prost and Niki Lauda shared championship victories over the following seasons, with Prost winning the title again in 1986.

In 1987, Porsche installed a TAG Turbo V6 into a Porsche 911 Turbo as a parting gift to McLaren. The car remained under wraps in McLaren’s collection, appearing only briefly at an internal event in 2012. Inspired by this one-off creation, Lanzante set out to build 11 more, each featuring extensively re-engineered engines by Cosworth, producing immense power while shedding nearly 130kg compared to a standard 911 Turbo engine.

If you could drive one, which one?

Which of these exceptional machines would you choose? Let us know in the comments.

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