The German Tuners

Cars weren't very exciting in the 1980s. Perhaps the global political situation was so tense that car manufacturers preferred to play it safe.

Except in certain remote regions of Germany. While the major brands filled their showrooms with solid but rather boring cars, around twenty tuners went wild with powerful turbos, huge rims, kilos of streamlined polyester, every colour of the rainbow, doors that could outfly eagles, hi-fi systems that could shake Rock Werchter, and spoilers that tickled the clouds.

Anything was possible, and even too much wasn't enough.

Famous Names

Since then, these German tuners, with the exception of AMG, Ruf and Alpina, have been ostracised by society and even gently ridiculed by automotive connoisseurs.

Today, however, more and more enthusiasts are recognising the technological and cultural value of the wildest creations from Koenig Specials, Mattig, Irmscher, Strosek, Gemballa, Brabus, Treser and so many others.

Iconic models

MANTA MANTA by MATTIG

If one tuned car immediately springs to mind, it is undoubtedly one of the greatest icons of tuning culture: Mattig's Manta Manta.

Almost ridiculously wide, more colourful than Dolly Dots and more extravagant than Borat, but so iconic that it played a leading role in two feature films, including the one bearing its name.

QUATTRO ROADSTER by TRESER

An Audi Quattro is always worth seeing, but a Quattro Roadster with an automatic sunroof by Treser is as rare as it is ingenious. Tennis legend Yannick Noah owned one.

Fun fact: the car is praised by the public and professionals alike. Famous Italian designer Nuccio Bertone is impressed: ‘Many attempts have been made to manufacture a hardtop convertible. But no one had yet found such a perfect solution.’

RAINBOW by BUCHMANN & BUCHMANN

Equally colourful and iconic, but very chic: the Rainbow Porsche 911 Turbo Targa by Buchmann & Buchmann. It also played a leading role in a feature film, “Car-Napping”. An unexpected meeting between Mr Buchmann and the marketing director of Polaroid, in the midst of preparations for the Photokina trade fair in September 1976, gave us the Rainbow!

This modified Porsche 911 Turbo was covered with stickers identical to the Polaroid logo, contrasting with the grey of the original bodywork! For Polaroid, it was a guarantee of a full stand, while for BB and Buchmann, it was a guarantee of low-cost international exposure for a model they hoped to sell to a few wealthy customers.

GERMAN TUNERS FROM THE '80S
AND THE '90S

An air of the 80s and 90s will fill the museum in honour of the “German Tuners”, a term we will be highlighting at Autoworld from 4 September onwards. Los gehts !