Singer Vehicle Design, builder of meticulously re-imagined Porsches, has partnered with the advanced engineering arm of UK’s Williams F1 team. Together, they’ve created an incredible commission for a well-heeled classic Porsche enthusiast. The sales commission was probably pretty good, too.
With a focus on keeping the weight down, this “Dynamics and Lightweighting Study” has resulted in the beautiful machine you see here, cranking out 500 horsepower and weighing less than 2,200lbs.
There is no turbocharged wizardry in this flat-six Porsche. Developed by Williams Advanced Engineering for this DLS project, it is a four-valve, four-camshaft engine which is naturally aspirated and air-cooled.
A host of weight saving tricks were deployed, with copious amounts of magnesium, carbon fiber, and titanium strewn littered around the car. Thanks to high-tech, gee-whiz Computational Fluid Dynamics, the car’s underbody and exterior surfaces are said to cut a sharper yet more stable line through the atmosphere at speed.
The wheels, looking for all the world like classic Porsche rims, are in fact lightweight forged magnesium 18-inchers from BBS with, naturally, centre locks. They are wrapped in a set of bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. Behind the wheels rest a set of monobloc calipers from Brembo.
“On a technical level, the study has been fascinating and has resulted in an incredible restoration with the benefit of top drawer resources and modern science,” said Singer Vehicle Design Founder and Creative Director Rob Dickinson. “Artistically it has been a second chance to connect with the machine on a new level.”
The DLS has been a long-term project, spanning a full two years of intense study and component development. This car, the result of the project’s findings, was built for Singer client (and Porsche enthusiast) Scott Blattner, who requested lightweighting and high-performance enhancements for his 1990 Porsche 964 after presumably showing up at Singer’s office with bag full of money earlier this year.
Specifics of the study will be available to no more than 75 customers, who may choose to use the findings to have Singer build them their own bespoke version. It’s good to be stinkin’ rich.
Interested? Any commissions using the DLS specs will be undertaken in the UK at a new Singer facility on the Williams campus in Grove, Oxfordshire. A pricetag wasn’t announced.
[Images: Singer Vehicle Design]
Simply stunning. If the means were there, this, or at least a standard singer would be a #1 for me. The weight alone get me excited. I don’t even care how fast it is.
Funny, I was just typing the words “simply stunning”. Wish they would post a video – would love to hear the noise.
I can’t wait for the Singer Cayenne! Imagine how it could drive if they got the weight down to 4,800 pounds.
This car alone is worth following Singer on Instagram.
I truly think this is the most beautiful incarnation of a Porsche that will ever be.
Even in their normal cars, the phrase “Everything is important” that they use in hashtags and such, truly shines through. Literally everything on the car is examined and improved.
Such a magical machine.
Omifockinggod! This looks..WOW!!!
Goes in my dream garage, next to the numbers-matching ‘87 GNX, triple-black 300C with Demon motor transplant, modern Shelby GT-H ‘Stang, and Lord-knows-what-else!
The wheels — me likey!
So this is roughly 1990-vintage?
I am still at a loss as to why Porsche has ceded the market to Singer. BMW also restores their cars. Is this the equivalent of an IPA vs. Reinheitsgebot?
I find it amazing that they can completely redo a car and yet keep it looking so in step with all of the things that make a Porsche a Porsche. I can imagine (well, no…I can’t) the experience behind the wheel of such a purpose-built machine. Air-cooled, no less. And no turbo.
And the 2017 Award for Meaningless Bumpf goes to:
“On a technical level, the study has been fascinating and has resulted in an incredible restoration with the benefit of top drawer resources and modern science,” said Singer Vehicle Design Founder and Creative Director Rob Dickinson. “Artistically it has been a second chance to connect with the machine on a new level.”
I’d ask JB what he thinks.
More evidence of the next big car color? Bring on the green!
Is it wrong that I want them to do a 928?
If high-brow 928 restorations are wrong, I don’t want to be right.
In for the obligatory Catherine Wheel reference. I love the music that gave Rob Dickinson the cash he needed to found Singer. The cars? *shrug* – with that kind of disposable cash, I rather buy a Cessna 182.
“I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor, rich is better.” ― Mae West