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The Singer 911: I’m In Love!
November 7, 2009
It’s rare that a non-factory Porsche catches my heart, unless it wears the familiar “Ruf” badge. But here is one car that has stopped me in my tracks.
It is called the Singer 911, and from the outside it looks like a 1970s-era 911. But if that’s what you are thinking, you are so wrong.
Singer Vehicle Design debuted this prototype at Pebble Beach earlier this year, and what a machine. Starting with a 1980s-era 911 donor, Singer strips the car down to its bare shell to reinvent it into a “celebration of the golden air-cooled era of the world’s most important sports car.”
First, the chassis is stiffened, and a lightweight integral backbone and a roll cage are added for rigidity. Most of the steel body panels are replaced with full carbon fiber composite bodywork styled after the 1970s-era 911, and coated in this stunning “Racing Orange” paint. As a modern touch, Bi-Xenon headlights are tucked away in the fenders, and an active speed-sensitive spoiler is fitted to the rear.
The suspension is modified with Moton shock absorbers, Eibach coilovers, and Jerry Woods Enterprises/Smart Racing Products adjustable sway bars. A fully adjustable electric/hydraulic power steering system is also in the mix. Four-piston brakes from the Porsche 930 are added, covered by custom Zuffenhaus forged aluminum three-piece wheels styled after the famous “Fuchs” wheels, 17″ x 9″ in front (with 225/45-17 Michelin Pilot Sport Cups) and 17″ x 11″ in the rear (with 275/40-17 Michelin Pilot Sports Cups.)
The engine is a highly modified 3.82 liter flat-six with six individual throttle bodies. A 997 GT3 crankshaft, oil pump and titanium connecting rods help it rev to a sweet 8,000 rpms. Power output is 425 hp and 340 lb-ft of torque. As icing on the cake, the Motec M800 ECU features data logging, launch control and traction control. All this is mated to a Getrag G50 six-speed transaxle with a limited slip differential.
Inside, the original-style 911 instrument cluster is updated with all-new gauges, including a sweet chronograph. The interior is not carpeted, but it is trimmed in supple dark racing green leather. A new version of the classic MOMO Monza steering wheel and re-engineered vintage 911 Recaro seats complete the vintage look. There is also a modern touch in the interior, with a lightweight air conditioning system, a Garmin navigation system, an iPod interface and Bluetooth connectivity.
So does it go as good as it looks? Yes! Weighing only 2400 lbs, the Singer 911 gets from 0 to 60 in just 3.9 seconds, 0 to 100 in 8.5 seconds, and has a top speed of over 170 mph.
No word on cost, but I would do bad things to get ahold of one of these.
For more info, check out the Singer Vehicle Design website.
And view lots and lots of pictures after the jump… trust me, you want to look at them.
[source: Singer Vehicle Design]
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