Since 1975, André-Marie
Ruf has created nearly 600
modelcars
under several brands.
As far as we know, the only places where to find the oldies are
swap-meets or auction internet web sites.
In
the brief historical below are the models that we consider to
be significant of AMR history.
Born, february the 16 th
of 1946, André-Marie RUF gets mad about cars before
he can speak. His studies drove him to a technical job in the
french automobile industry. He started his modelling career with
customizing Norev modelcars.
In 1975, the 1st of April, is launched AMR.
Andre-Marie and his wife, Marie-Claude, decide to sell built
models only. He wants to make the difference with John Day kits
that he considers as being the reference at that time. 1200
Porsche Turbo RSR n°22 LM 1974
are built. This first model is followed by a Jaguar
XJ12, a Ferrari 365BB, a
Daimler Double Six and a Porsche
Pink Pig.

1976, André-Marie
launches his first kit, the Ferrari BB NART
Sebring 1975. The name of the range will remain as X.
Jean-Pierre Viranet joins the team. Keen on single-seaters he
models Formula 1, F2, F3 and so on.
These models are know as X-Tenariv.
1977, appears the first
American Monster with the Corvette Greenwood
Gr4 seen at Le Mans in 1976. But also the Minerva
AR 30 HP 1932 for a belgian customer (GYL). So far this
model is the only pre-WW2 car ever modeled by AMR.
1978, still for GYL
are made kits of the 512 BB LM 78 team Francorchamps
and a 400i Automatic. The partnership
with Minichamps goes on with theBMW Gr5. For the Boutique Auto
Moto in Paris are made several Porsche 935.
1979, with the GTO
AMR introduces photoetching for the first time in the modelcar
universe. He also creates his now legendary wheels. This is in
1979 as well that the 97 parts kit of the BB512
LM is launched.
1980. RENAULT launches the R5 Turbo,
and asks AMR to produce 3500 kits of this car. The packaging is
ground breaking. It did inspire AMR for the white window boxes
known all over the world by AMR kits lovers.
In 1980 AMR wins Le Mans as a (small) sponsor of Rondeau.
Of course this car will be reproduced as a kit.
1981, Porsche 911 Gr4 are dominating
the offer of kits. They pass over a Cadillac
1950 Le Mans built by Jean-Paul Magnette.
1982 is the year of the GTO 4713 et
330 LM. For the 20th anniversary of the GTO,
40 unique models are built for the Club Ferrari France (GTO
62, 64, 330 LM et 4713).
1983, AMR wins the
24 hours of Daytona as a sponsor of the Porsche
935 T-Bird Swap Shop. Maserati Tipo
151/3 and GTO 64 LM 1964,
Lamborghini 350 GT Spyder.
1984, AMR starts the Factory built again. THe team will sell
600 SWB California, and 165
vans Renault Martini.
1985 mixed year : March 84G,
Peugeot 203 , Vaillante
LM 61, Ford GT 40 mk 2
1986, Rather than a Cadillac Eldorado
1971 convertible, collectors can buy a saga of 7 P4
Coupé and 5 P4 Spyder
made for Annecy Miniatures. 49 built models of a 203
celbrating the 10th anniversary are sold. This is also the year
of the kit of the Scaglietti's 250 MM 1957.
1987, for Annecy Miniatures : 9 versions of the 412P
(Daytona 1967, Monza 1967, Le Mans 1967, Targa Florio and Brands
Hatch). 500 factory built models of the GTO
SPA 1965 are sold by AMR. In 1987, facing serious money
troubles, Andre-Marie RUF sells AMR to P.G. Lang, manager of Minichamps.
1989 : lovers of italian cars with front engine can fill
their shelves with a 365 GTC4 and
a Daytona (500 factory built each). For Annecy Miniatures again,
the team builds 350 set of F40 and
125 C. A Countach
is added to the contemporary italian cars.
1990 : 16 modelcars are created and sold built only, amongst
with a 275 GTB.
1991 : 250LM 1965 and 166MM
1946 are together in a limited set of 500. Jaguar
XK 120 and Maserati 450 S
are sold in kit only.
December 1992 : André-Marie Ruf leaves AMR. A XK140
Coupé, a P6, Dino
246 GT and GTS, two new version
of 250 GTO and a
Tipo 125 S that he modelled are sold after he left.
From february 1993 to march 1994, André-Marie Ruf works
for Le Phoenix. For this company he sculpts Cobra
427, 250 Tdf 59, Lusso
60, 330 GTS, 308
GT4, Daytona GrIV, 500
Superfast 64, 250 TR LM68,
Alpine 1600S and Aston
Martin DB4 Zagato.
April 1994 : André-Marie Ruf comes back in the modelcar
business as André-Marie Ruf.
October 1998 : André-Marie Ruf settles down at
Camaret sur Aygues (Vaucluse).
2003 : André-Marie Ruf launches the
range Titan. 1/12th curbside resin kits.
August the first of 2004 : André-Marie
Ruf passes away. The company will shut its doors one year later,
in septembre 2005.