I think I found the right 911

A few weeks ago I asserted that I will someday own a Porsche 911 but that I wasn't sure which one. I think I found the right one.

There's a British guy named Rob Dickinson who lives in LA and owns a company called Singer Vehicle Design. I'd say that Singer modifies 911s, but that's kind of like saying Michaelangelo painted ceilings. Singer turns old 911s into rolling art. Specifically, 911s made between 1989 and 1994. These are known as 964s and they occupy a special place in Porschephiles' hearts. They have the traditional air-cooled (as opposed to the heretical water-cooled) flat six engine and rear trailing arm suspension, and they were the first 911 to feature a coil-sprung suspension and a speed-activated rear wing. The headlights and windshield are also much more upright than newer models. All this means that they are a sweet blend of classic 911 characteristics with a few modern nods.

Singer then tears them apart and replaces the body with carbon fiber pieces that evoke 911 styling cues from the late 60s and early 70s. Every detail is compulsively scrutinized and perfected. The interior is sublime. Even the oil and fuel caps are beautiful. They also put in a new engine. You have three options, all air-cooled flat sixes, making 270, 350, or 390 horsepower. Expect to spend about $390,000 for the big bronski. Not a typo.

It's probably worth it. Here's the interior of a RHD Singer sold to someone in Manchester.

That houndstooth pattern is not fabric. It's strips of woven leather. Here's a closer look.

Note that the tachometer goes up to 11 because ... Spinal Tap.

They all look perfect no matter the color. Here's one in pistachio green and it's spectacular.



That said, if you're going to get one of these you really need to get some funky 70s color. Black or silver or white are colors for a Honda Odyssey, and these Singers deserve better. The Manchester car's interior is the best in their online gallery and the exterior color is beyond reproach. I'm not even sure if it's yellow or green or some other previously unseen hue. I want it in my life. And yes, it has Fuchs wheels.

This racing blue Singer sold to someone in Dubai has minimal interior carpeting, flaunting the zippy paint all over the interior.

And if you really want to see (and hear) the goods, fast forward to the 2:55 mark in this video.



I unfortunately do not foresee having the wherewithal to buy a $390,000 car so I'll have to get by with salivating over the Singer website. Unless we can figure out a way to make some money off of this whole blogging thing ...