Established in 1973 and based initially at an ex-BMW workshop in Frankfurt, BB’s custom body, paint and interior programmes saw the firm quickly establish itself as the number one name for customised Porsche. Founded by brothers Rainer and Dieter Buchmann, it was three years later that they came to international prominence.

The turbocharged 930 Coupe had been launched in February 1975, however, Porsche did not intend to manufacture a targa version, partly because they believed demand for the Turbo Coupe would not greatly exceed the number required for homologation. As it happened, the 930 was an unexpected money-spinner and in late 1976, BB launched their own derivative, the 911-30 Turbo Targa conversion being available for execution on brand new and existing 911 Targa’s.

Enhancing BB’s pioneering reputation were the state of the art equipment options and degree of personalisation afforded to customers, all of which could end up more than doubling the list price of a standard 930. This bespoke tailoring of premium brand sports cars took the slack left after the demise of many traditional coachbuilders in the early 1960’s when production techniques became more mechanised.

The Turbo Targa programme cost DM68,000 and essentially saw the donor Targa completely remanufactured with genuine factory parts. It comprised Turbo fenders, front and rear spoilers, suspension, the braking system, fuel system and electrics. The floorpan and roof were strengthened, a new Turbo engine and transmission installed and finally, new 16-inch Fuchs wheels and Pirelli P7 tyres fitted.

Specifications could be further enhanced with a selection of options including a car-telephone mounted in discreetly in the dash (DM18,000), Scheel sport seats (DM1000), Electric Windows (DM1800) and seats trimmed in Velvet (DM3000). Combination Hi-Fi’s were another way to upgrade, a typical BB combination using a Blaupunkt Berlin radio receiver, a Uher cassette player and Pioneer speakers and amplifier (DM4400).

Fully equipped, the list price for a BB Turbo Targa conversion was in excess of DM100,000, that on top of the DM36,000 it would have cost for a brand new entry level 911 Targa donor vehicle. Weight was 1335kg compared to 1210kg for the 930 Coupe,  performance only being marginally affected with 0-60 requiring just 5.5 seconds and a 153mph top speed.  

By the end of 1976, several Turbo Targa’s had been manufactured, one of which was the famous ‘Polaroid’ press car built to act as a rolling showcase for BB’s talents and incorporating nearly all the equipment available. Production continued throughout 1977 with more options coming on stream regularly.

These included US bumpers and a normally aspirated Super Carrera Targa derivative incorporating Turbo-style bodywork but without the forced induction engine, both of which were available from March. By June ’77, BB had completed a de-spoilered Turbo Targa and in 1978 they were offering the new 3.3-litre Turbo engine along with BBS rims. May 1978 saw a flat nose version introduced featuring a Porsche 928 headlight conversion and dubbed the 911-30-28, it signalled a reduction in demand for the original Turbo Targa. Precisely how many Turbo Targa’s and Super Carrera Targa’s were manufactured remains unknown, the bulk of production being split between European and Middle Eastern customers.

Porsche introduced the flat nose 935 racing car in 1975 and it was inevitable that customers would start to request road-going 911’s equipped with similar front-end bodywork. Alongside DP (who also made lightweight shells for the Kremer racing team), BB were one of the first company’s to offer flat-nose bodywork.

Whereas DP housed the driving lights for their cars in the front bumper (just like the original 935), BB installed retractable 928 units and instantly created one of the most stunning custom-tuning derivatives of the late 1970’s. Based on one of BB’s 911-30 Turbo Targa’s, the first 911-30-28 was completed in May 1978 and boasted many of the options BB were able to offer.

By this time the basic cost of a BB Turbo Targa conversion with the new 3.3-litre engine and 928 front styling had risen to DM162,500, this including a 370bhp engine with boost increased to 1.1bar. In addition, customers could select BBS alloy wheels with coloured centres and polished rims (DM3250), a large front oil cooler (DM4500) and LSD (DM850). Interiors could be enhanced with leather seats, dashboards and speakers plus velvet carpet to include the boot (DM3950), electric front seats (DM2200), air conditioning (DM2600) and a chilled bar mounted in the rear seat (DM1500).

Other options included a Sony colour TV set with amp (DM2650), Citizen 40-channel radio telephone with 150-watt amp (DM4000), a 4 speaker stereo (DM1300), digital clock and tachometer (DM1200) and an adjustable boost toggle with pressure display (DM2000). Security-conscious buyers were able to specify an alarm (DM700), safety deposit box connected to the alarm system (DM850) and even a concealed storage compartment for a pistol (DM380). A rear wiper, heated electric mirrors and US-spec bumpers were among the more prosaic choices available.

This first 911-30-28 had been ordered by Curacao casino owner Ortega Ramirez who had requested BB install practically every option they could build into it, the further customisation afforded to this Midnight Black car (such as a gold plated antenna and shift knob plus monogrammed seats and floormats) forcing the price up to DM250,000.

The 928 headlight conversion became one of BB’s most popular options and spawned a host of copycats from the many new firms jumping on the super-tuning bandwagon. Indeed, Porsche themselves eventually offered a 965 Turbo S with 928-style headlights as part of a very limited edition many years later. 

More developments came on stream during the course of the next few months, BB’s new 928 Targa debuting at the Frankfurt Show in 1979. At the same time, directionally slotted disc wheel trims designed to aid brake cooling were introduced, these being followed by a Wide Body version in 1980. All four fenders and both doors were re-shaped for the Wide Body, the original 930′s bulbous wheelarches being smoothed and extended by around 100mm each side. Re-shaped door skins housed a prominent engine cooling intake and the Targa roof got a T-bar for increased rigidity.

Thereafter, BB’s state of the art digital information system (DINFOS) was made available. Running functions such as engine revs, speed and oil and water temperatures were displayed on the facia in red LED’s. A computer mounted on the centre console could record anything from 0-60 sprint time, fuel consumption, average speed, time spent waiting at traffic lights and many more functions to boot. 16-speaker stereo’s were becoming more common too, four speakers being mounted in each door with the remaining eight positioned in the rear firewall.

Precisely how many 911-30-28 conversions were executed by BB remains unknown with the bulk of production once again being split between Europe and the Middle East.

In addition to remanufacturing 911 Targa’s with full 930 turbo equipment, BB also executed their special body, interior and engine programmes on Coupe versions of the 911 and 930. In early 1977, customers wanting a tailored interior could choose from a car-telephone mounted discreetly in the dash (DM18,000), Scheel sport seats (DM1000), Electric Windows (DM1800) and seats trimmed in Velvet (DM3000). Combination Hi-Fi’s were another way to upgrade, a typical BB combination using a Blaupunkt Berlin radio receiver, a Uher cassette player and Pioneer speakers and amplifier (DM4400).

Stripe kits and 370bhp engines with the boost cranked up to 1.1bar were also available, but it was the arrival of BB’s 928 headlight conversion in May 1978 that allowed customers the chance to buy a BB Porsche Coupe with a genuinely special appearance. Costing DM7500, the all-steel conversion joined a continually expanding options list that included BBS alloy wheels with coloured centres and polished rims (DM3250), a large front oil cooler (DM4500) and LSD (DM850). Interiors could be enhanced with leather seats, dashboards and speakers plus velvet carpet to include the boot (DM3950), electric front seats (DM2200), air conditioning (DM2600) and a chilled bar mounted in the rear seat (DM1500).

Other options inlcuded a Sony colour TV set with amp (DM2650), Citizen 40-channel radio telephone with 150-watt amp (DM4000), a 4 speaker stereo (DM1300), digital clock and tachometer (DM1200) and an adjustable boost toggle with pressure display (DM2000). Security conscious buyers were able to specify an alarm (DM700), safety deposit box connected to the alarm system (DM850) and even a concealed storage compartment for a pistol (DM380). A rear wiper, heated electric mirrors and US-spec bumpers were among the more prosaic choices available.

In September 1979, directionally slotted disc wheel trims designed to aid brake cooling were introduced, these being followed by a wide body version in 1980. All four fenders and both doors were re-shaped, the original 930′s bulbous wheelarches being smoothed and widened by around 100mm each side. Re-shaped door skins housing a prominent engine cooling intake.

Thereafter, BB’s state of the art digital information system (DINFOS) was made available. Running functions such as engine revs, speed and oil and water temperatures were displayed on the facia in red LED’s. A computer mounted on the centre console could record anything from 0-60 sprint time, fuel consumption, average speed, time spent waiting at traffic lights and many more functions to boot. 16-speaker stereo’s were becoming more common too, four speakers being mounted in each door with the remaining eight positioned in the rear firewall.