Miguel Sánchez
Without a doubt, one of the most iconic endurance races is the Targa-Florio. Contested since 1906, this has been one of the best showcases for local sports brands. Thus, Alfa Romeo has won it in ten editions. Three more than Ferrari and six more than Maserati. All this within a list where we can also find the names of FIAT, Isotta Fraschini, Lancia or Osella. Nevertheless, Going to absolute terms, it highlights how the most successful manufacturer is not exactly an Italian one. Far from it, Porsche rose to first place eleven times from 1956 to 1973.
In this way, beyond the media impact always created by the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Targa-Florio became the best scenario for the house of Stuttgart. In fact, on the twisty Sicilian roads, their low-weight models managed to outperform the more high-performance -and heavier- red cars without too many problems.
Thanks to this, some of the best Porsche pages were signed there in the competition with models like the 908/3. What's more, that vehicle -equipped with a chassis weighing only 30 kilos- was conceived exclusively to win in it.
All this while, on tracks with fast straights like Le Mans, the 917 imposed its law against the Ford, Matra and Ferrari based on power and aerodynamics. So things, in the mid-sixties Porsche decided to use the name “Plate" in reference to one of its most successful variants.
The one that, adapting to the security requirements required by the US administration, it provided the 911 with a wide safety arch to thus create a semi-open body. Historically, a design as controversial as it was copied. Well, after all, from Moretti with his FIAT 128 Roadster to Ferrari with their Dino 246 GTS, many manufacturers ended up taking it as their own.
BMW 2002 TARGA, AN OPEN SKY VERSION
At the end of the sixties BMW had finally completely avoided its end thanks to the success experienced by its New-Class models. Comfortable, well executed and endowed with mechanics with a more marked verve than those of their competitors in Mercedes, those sedans unreservedly marked the identity that the Bavarian house has had until today. Faithfully installed in the most exclusive segments of mass motorsports although, at the same time, not deprived of an evident sporty touch. In fact, this touch was even more evident on the lightweight two-door 1600s continued in 1968 by the 2002.
Equipped with a two-liter four-cylinder engine capable of delivering 100CV, this perfect model for drivers with a taste for speed enjoyed good behavior thanks to its independent suspensions. At this point, BMW had a really fresh and innovative option in its catalog. Just what is necessary to seduce the US market. Always open to small and light European sports cars, as had already happened during the fifties with the English roadsters or the Porsche 356 imported by Max hoffman.
In fact, the BMW 2002 was one of the greatest bulwarks in the growth of the German house beyond the Atlantic. Something that, in addition, had an extra argument since 1971 thanks to the Targa version made by Karrosserie Bauer. A company founded in the days before the Second World War and which, for decades, was characterized by making convertible models on BMW cars. Something that, on the other hand, did not prevent them from carrying out some very fine commissions for Porsche. Which trusted this workshop in order to assemble models as special as the 959.
In this case, set to make a convertible version of the BMW 2002, Bauer decided to opt for an option similar to that performed by Porsche in 1965. Being able to remove the hardtop in order to store it in the trunk. In fact, to make this custodian more comfortable, the 2002 Targa lengthened its rear overhang for more cargo space. Once the hardtop has been removed, the part that would correspond to the rear window is closed with a canvas just like the one mounted on any other convertible of the time.
In addition, all of this not only made it possible to comply with rollover protection laws in the United States. But also not lose structural rigidity. Something to be thankful for in a vehicle with a sporty touch like this one. By the way, with a production set at 2-317 units. Nothing insignificant when we talk about a version that, even today, remains one of the most unknown BMWs.
Photos: Gooding & Company.
