Jan Fatthauer founded 9ff Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH in 2001 in Dortmund, Germany, as a Porsche tuning company. Fatthauer earned a degree in automotive engineering, and had worked at recognized tuners until 2001.
In May 2004, 9ff achieved its first record, reaching 372 km/h (231 mph) with a 9ff T6 on the Nardo Ring race track in Nardo, Italy. The company claimed that they had the "fastest Porsche in Nardo". In December of that year, Fatthauer drove a new car, the 9ff V400, up to 388 km/h (241 mph). This car held the record for the world's fastest car until the company beat that record with the GT9 later that year. At the time, 9ff was building a wide variety of products, including some powered by alternative fuel, setting several records.
In September 2006, the 9ff TRC-85 reached 380.5 km/h (236.4 mph), becoming the fastest street-legal convertible of its time.
In October 2008, the 9ff CT78, based on the Porsche Cayman, won the top-speed record for cars powered by alternative fuel, with its top speed of 347 km/h (216 mph), powered by bioethanol.
On April 10, 2008, the 9ff GT9 reached 407 km/h (253 mph) (confirmed with GPS), becoming the fastest street-legal car in the world.
