“Get out and drive!” – Birte Krause and her four-cylinder Porsches

Birte Krause is what you would call authentic. The life of freelance stylist revolves around fashion, design, and vintage cars. On Instagram, she gives us insights into her great passion as Turbo Birdy. She is a child of the Ruhr region and has already fulfilled her dream of owning a Porsche twice. In addition to her white Porsche 924 Turbo, she now also has a Porsche 912 in her garage. Both are, like Birte herself, anything but ordinary.

Birte Krause – Between Brushes, Porsches, and Ruhrpott

On a sunny afternoon, I traveled to the outskirts of Bottrop, in the heart of the Ruhr region – or Ruhrpott as it’s called in Germany. In front of a garage with a heavy iron gate, there are a few wooden deck chairs, like in a beach bar. Birte Krause jumps up from one of the chairs and we greet each other as if we’ve known each other forever. Yet we’ve only spoken on the phone a few times before. It’s this warmth that characterizes Turbo Birdy, as Birte calls herself on Instagram – honest, unaffected, and always with a touch of rock ‘n’ roll!

After graduating from high school, Birte Krause embarked on an academic career. However, after completing her studies, she took a different path in 2010: “I was bored with the academic world,” Birte says today. “I’ve always been very interested in art and design. I’ve always been creative and played in a band.” She swapped her books for brushes and blush – after further training, she became a freelance makeup artist.

Anyone who thinks that Birte only spends her time doing photo shoots and living the catwalk life is mistaken. Birte’s portfolio consists of more than just fashion and beauty. In her limited free time, the sought-after stylist enjoys tinkering with cars with her friends – dressed casually in a hoodie wearing a cap – that’s the real Birte! Today, the 40-year-old works for international fashion brands and is trusted by numerous athletes and race car drivers, such as Dirk Nowitzki and Klaus Ludwig.

A true child of the 80s

“I’ve always loved the music and design of the 70s and 80s!” Birte says that this love of design was instilled in her from birth. “My parents taught me a lot. They were the ones who got me interested in architecture and design classics,” says the Bottrop native. This passion is also reflected in Birte’s taste in cars. “In addition to my Vespa, which I would never give up, I’ve had a Porsche 924 Turbo in my garage for a good four years. The design with its clean lines and pop-up headlights is simply timeless and exactly my thing!”

But Birte’s passion goes even further. “I love motorsports!” – Her cheerful smile turns into a beaming grin. “I like to spend my free time at the racetrack. It doesn’t matter whether it’s historic or modern racing.” Her good friend Eve Scheer, a presenter and racing driver, has made this love even more intense. “Of course, I accompany her to the races whenever I can. For me, it’s a great, honest balance to the crazy world of fashion,” explains Birte.

“Every time I open the garage door, I get goosebumps!” – Birte Krause

Birte’s attention to detail is also evident in her garage: “Every time I open the garage door, I get goosebumps! And I hope that feeling stays with me forever.” With the Turbo, Birte fulfilled a long-held dream: “Porsche has always been THE brand for me.” Over the past two years, she has driven her white Turbo as often as possible. “It accompanies me on road trips. For example, we’ve already been to the North Sea and the Reeperbahn in Hamburg,” Birte reports on her tours.

It still doesn’t feel normal to me that I am allowed to own these two amazing cars.

Birte Krause, Turbo Birdy

The extremely low, white Porsche 924 Turbo undoubtedly has presence. Its Rial cross-spoke wheels with contemporary drop-centers suit it perfectly and complete the exterior journey back in time to the early 1980s. Inside, the gray Berber fabric breaks up the otherwise austere black interior. “Sometimes I just sit in the car, turn on some music, and enjoy the sensations – the materials, the smell, the silhouette in the rearview mirror…” That’s when I notice the TURBO ring on Birte’s middle finger—it’s all about the details.

And as if a 924 Turbo wasn’t sporty enough on its own, Birte has added a few extra horsepower. “Together with a good friend, I installed a water-alcohol injection system,” Birte explains, pointing to the immaculate installation in the engine compartment. “The Turbo now drives similarly to a 924 Carrera GT. Although the additional injection primarily serves to cool the turbo, the extra power is a nice side effect,” Birte explains with a wink.

For Birte, genuine patina is more interesting than a perfect paint job

With her makeup and styling, Birte ensures that her models feel particularly comfortable during photo shoots and show themselves from their best side. However, she is not concerned with perfection. “Many people strive for a supposed ideal of beauty. But I am much happier with models who are just a little bit different,” says the stylist.

I like people with character who have interesting stories to tell.

Birte Krause, Turbo Birdy

This attitude is also reflected in Birte’s cars, in a way. “A car doesn’t have to be perfect, it has to tell stories – and patina tells stories! I find it much more appealing when a car proudly displays its little imperfections,” Birte sums it up. So when I ask her whether she would rather drive a perfectly restored car or one with patina, she answers without hesitation: “Patina, definitely!”

Birte Krause fulfills another dream – a 912 for her 40th birthday

However, the first Porsche was not to be Birte’s last. “Shortly before my 40th birthday, this 912 found me,” she recalls. We are talking about a silver 1967 Porsche 912 from Los Angeles. “As with the 924, I wasn’t actually looking for a Porsche at the time. But as so often in life, it’s the coincidences that make for the most exciting stories. “

The 912 is like my James Dean and the 924 is like the handsome Klaus from the Reeperbahn. Although both cars are completely different in character, I enjoy driving both of them equally.

Birte Krause, Turbo Birdy

“California’s sun has perfectly matted the paintwork over the decades, making it truly one of a kind.” It was the perfect base for Birte to build her dream 912. “The car was completely original. I just wanted to make it my car.” Birte immediately installed a roll bar. Now, there’s also rare Recaro Rally 1 seats, and old Schroth seat-belts installed.

Driving as meditation after work

Birte travels a lot in her job and is often under time pressure. “When I come back from work and the weather is good, I don’t even go home, but head straight to my garage. Then, I can leave everyday life behind me and drive towards the sunset. I’d love to do that every day!” As Birte tells me this, you can see the sparkle in her eyes.

What yoga is for other girls, driving old cars is for me.

Birte Krause, Turbo Birdy

I would like to know where Birte would still like to drive with her cars. “It doesn’t really matter, as long as I can drive! For example, we recently took a spontaneous afternoon trip from Bottrop to the beach in Zandvoort, Netherlands. I’m always up for spontaneous things like that! Who knows how many summers we’ll get to experience? So let’s drive our cars, turn night into day, and just enjoy the moment. Get behind the wheel and drive!”

No matter if you need ten coffees to get through tomorrow – just do it!

Birte Krause, Turbo Birdy

What would Turbo Birdy drive if money were no object?

Birte has a clear answer to our traditional final question: “I already have my perfect two-car garage! But of money really were no object, it would be a Porsche 911 Carrera RSR and a BMW M1. I’m fascinated by the design and sound of both cars. Anyone who has ever seen these cars racing on a track will understand the fascination.”

© photos: Martin Hillmann