If you were young and into special cars in the 1970s and 1980s, you were quite certainly expecting every new, bold and surprising custom car from Rainer Buchmann’s German tuning company BB Auto with eager anticipation. The most famous of Buchmann’s creations was certainy the ‘Rainbow Porsche’, a custom Porsche 911 Turbo Targa crafted in collaboration with Polaroid for the 1976 Photokina photography fair. It was the first time that a Targa was powered with the 930’s powerful tuning engine – but in the end it was a role in the German cult movie ‘Carnapping’ that made BB Auto and the ‘Rainbow Porsche’ famous in the automotive world.

BB Auto still exists, and during this year’s Monterey Car Week the US restoration specialist Galpin Motors will not only introduce the brand to North America, but also pay tribute to the original ‘Rainbow Porsche’ with a 1986 Porsche 911 Targa Hybrid. Under the hood, a Ed Pink Racing engine enhanced with Vonnen hybrid technology delivers an exhilarating 550 horsepower. The hybrid system provides rapid bursts of power to the engine and is lighter and more compact than traditional EV batteries. It features a 110-kilowatt electric motor-generator positioned between the engine and transmission. The exterior boasts an eye-catching paint job reminiscent of its historic predecessor, while the fully custom interior features bespoke Recaro LX seats, an electric A/C system, and a 660-watt Focal sound system integrated with a Porsche Classic Communication radio and 9.2-inch infotainment screen.

Galpin Motors will showcase automotive restoration and innovation with the debut of its 1986 Porsche bb-Auto Targa Hybrid in the Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge at the Werks Reunion Monterey on Friday, August 16. The car will be displayed alongside the 1984 Porsche bb-Auto 911 Slantnose and 1981 Porsche bb-Auto 928 Targa. Following its debut at the Werks Reunion, the Targa will be displayed on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, August 18.