Singer 911, the return of the air-cooled 911
 

anyone heard of them? great car imho, pics and Story:

http://image.motortrend.com/f/tuners...arter-view.jpg

http://image.motortrend.com/f/tuners...arter-view.jpg

http://image.motortrend.com/f/tuners...arter-view.jpg

http://image.motortrend.com/f/tuners...-side-view.jpg

http://image.motortrend.com/f/tuners...-rear-view.jpg

http://image.motortrend.com/f/tuners...911-engine.jpg

"The Singer 911 is no mere imitation, clone or retro-hot rod, but a re-interpretation and rebirth
of the early performance-focused 911’s. The new vehicle is the result of a fusion between the purity
of the original 911 and modern materials, design, and updated technologies, and aftermarket
experience into a unique sports car that recaptures the essence of the early 911’s golden age.
The Singer 911 capitalizes on the 40 years of solutions and enhancements that have resulted from
the racing aftermarket’s embracing the original 911. Borrowing the best elements from the air/oil
cooled 911’s long production span such as the “chic” of the long hood pre-’74 race specials, and the
engineering durability of the later cars from the 80’s and 90’s, Singer Vehicle Design capitalizes
on the vast know how and evolutionary advances the original 911 has enjoyed. The experience
offered by the new Singer 911 is a passionate celebration of the history making, iconic 911, and
creates an enhanced sportscar that honors the original 911’s soul."


Hardcore Porschephiles were shocked when the German sportscar-maker converted its beloved 911 from an
air-cooled to a water-cooled design. Some contend that modern, water-cooled 911s are not actually 911s,
and Singer Vehicle Design has a car for these people. They call it the Singer 911.
Belonging to the camp that believes the air-cooled engine was an essential characteristic of the 911, but
also well aware of advances in technology in the past two decades, Singer has crafted a special 911 it
believes offers the best balance of classic design and modern technology.
How does one accomplish such a feat? Singer starts with a vintage 911, any model made between 1969 and
1989, and strips it down to its shell, replacing nearly every major mechanical component. In the end, the
Singer retains the 911's original roofline, A-pillar location, wheelbase and suspension and transaxle mounting
points. The rest of the car gets a work-over.
To improve on the original Porsche formula, Singer stitch-welds reinforcements all over the car and adds a
lightweight backbone to improve chassis rigidity and fight twist. A carbon-fiber "second skin" further improves
rigidity. Outside, Singer replaces every body panel except the doors with carbon-fiber versions that borrow
styling elements from the Porsche 911 R, ST and RSR racecars, complete with massive fender flares. With
lightweight Zuffenhaus 17-in. classic-styled wheels on all four corners, the Singer 911 weighs in at around
2400 lbs.
Out back, the old air-cooled engine is replaced with a heavily modified version of the last air-cooled 911,
the 993. The 3.6L flat-six has been punched out to 3.8L and uses titanium rods for a big-bore/short-stroke
combination that will spin to 8000 RPM. Along with the opened-up block, engine designer Ninemeister came
up with a set of billet aluminum heads with a modern port design, a set of independent throttle bodies feeding
the six cylinders, a Motec engine computer, and a dry-sump oil system partially lifted from a 997 GT3. Singer's
own muffler completes a stainless steel exhaust system designed to show off the one-of-a-kind air-cooled
engine sound.

The end result is an impressive 360 hp in street tune and a more impressive 425 hp and 340 lb-ft in full race
trim. With so little weight to move around, Singer claims the 425-hp engine will shoot the 911 to 60 mph
in 3.9 sec and hit a top speed of 170 mph. Power hits the ground through a six-speed G50 transaxle fitted
with close-ratio gears, a limited-slip differential and a twin-plate carbon clutch.

Along with the engine, the Singer 911 carries many other modern features hidden under classic visages. In
addition to replacing the steel body panels with carbon-fiber pieces, Singer ditched the old sealed-beam
headlights for a set of high-powered HID units, added a front lip spoiler that reduces front-end lift by 12%,
and a rear-spoiler that extends and retracts automatically based on speed.

Underneath, the old torsion bar suspension was dropped for MacPherson struts up front and a coil-over and
trailing-arm rear suspension lifted from the Carrera SC. Moton dampers with remote reservoirs smooth out
the bumps while adjustable anti-roll bars keep the body in check. A special electo-hydraulic steering rack
from Jerry Woods Enterprises lessens the steering effort while retaining the 911's famous feel. Brembo
four-pot calipers clamp big brakes that barely fit behind the wheels.

Inside, the classic 911 interior has been revamped from the inside out with modern equipment lurking behind
vintage coverings. New gauges deliver vehicle information while a pop-up Garmin nav system keeps the driver
headed in the right direction. A modern stereo with iPod integration and Bluetooth is available, as is an electric
air conditioning system. Modern, power seats have been shaped to mimic the vintage Recaros, and a Momo
steering wheel does its best impression of the classic Monza wheel. Dark green leather trims the cabin for
an authentic, vintage feel.

Singer hasn't announced pricing for its re-imagined 911, but with the wealth of modern upgrades, we're sure
it won't be cheap. If you want a 2009 interpretation of a classic '70s Porsche, though, you probably won't
do better than this.
Porsche, though, you probably won't do better than this.



presentation at monterey, starting at 2:40min


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpjU5...layer_embedded


more pics:

http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/2010...r-porsche-911/

That looks pretty sweet. I'm digging it. Thanks for posting.

That's a way cool car.

I really like the idea of this. That's a great looking car!

Rob Dickinson who set up Singer used to be in Catherine Wheel and he's related to Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden. This is indeed an absolutely fabulous car - but it's reputedly going to be close to 300K!

Pure Porsche p0rn...one of the best "retros" or "backdates" I've seen.

I just read that 5 minutes ago and I think I'm in love!!! :) Such a beauty!!

how can u justify 300k for that?? cudnt cost more than 75-80 to build it.

These old bands go back on tour and jack us $200 or more for a ticket - seems about the same. I wonder if they'll be selling $50 Singer t-shirts too? :rolleyes:

i inquired when i saw the car on display at laguna seca.

i was told this car (in the pictures) was their first one and they would need 275 - 300k for it. i chuckled, and asked what a regular "production" version would cost, and he said 250k.

while it's a beautiful car, it really is, they are smoking crack if they think they can get that amount of money for it.

let's face it, there's lots of very talented guys / shops out there who can build you one hell of an old school 911 for 150k, let alone 250k.

Oy, that is way too pricey.

can you put a space between each pic so we dont have to scroll right 8 pages...

as for the car, its hard to go back in time when you have the new hardware available especially at 3x the price

Formatting is fine in Chrome, but looks to be off in IE.

Really diggin the car, but for that price, I would consider getting a bonafide Sport Classic that Porsche has for the euro guys now with only 250 made :D.

And even that is a rip off! Nothing more than a Carrera S with a Powerkit which would cost maybe $15k as an option on a regular Carrera S. That and some other extras that definitely are not worth over $150k on top of the price of a Carrera S. More than $50k over a 997 GT2?