LOS ANGELES –November 13, 2014 – With the finest in technology and creativity at its core, Sun Valley, Calif.-based Singer Vehicle Design (SVD) demonstrates the evolution of the company’s restoration services. Singer’s philosophy — blending tradition with modernity to re-create bespoke, one-of-a-kind masterpieces to each customer’s desires within perfectly optimized air-cooled Porsche 911s. Two examples will be shown at the 2014 Connected Car Expo and MPG Motoring Invitational, November 18th and 19th, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, during the media kick-off to the annual Los Angeles Auto Show.
SVD, the dedicated restoration company that modifies existing vintage Porsche automobiles for discerning customers, has set the stage to make a very bold statement – with the combined display of the company founder’s very first restoration, a 1969 Porsche 911E affectionately known as “the Brown Bomber” and one of SVD’s recent re-imagined 911 machines, sometimes referred to as “Connecticut” for its destination. Invoking elements of both past heritage and future development, both vehicles clearly showcase the simple, yet extravagant, perfection that Porsche enthusiasts have come to appreciate in the vehicles that have been restored by SVD.
According to Rob Dickinson, creator and founder of SVD, while each 911 his company has modified seems to appeal to Porsche aficionados on a myriad of levels, the original “Brown Bomber” is the one that personifies the most emotion for himself. “As an Englishman coming to the U.S., I had little knowledge or experience in what would set the trends in LA” said Dickinson. “But I optimized the car of my dreams to the specifications that caught my own attention, and soon found that my own personal statement was appreciated by ‘Porsche-philes’ and car fanatics on a global level.”
In fact, Dickinson noted that the Brown Bomber could actually be described as the genesis for what eventually became known as Singer Vehicle Design. “This was a car that foreshadowed Singer but proved my ideas had a broad appeal,” said Dickinson. “And as a result, inspired us to form the company and take our unique services to the next level.”
And while the Singer brand has become synonymous with truly bespoke customization services for automotive enthusiasts, which as Dickinson contends, borders on obsession – it is indeed the uniqueness of each handcrafted vehicle that currently make fans worldwide covet a viewing, while longing for a drive. With limited availability and a 8-10 month restoration cycle, vehicles have more recently been commissioned by Porsche owners in Hong Kong, Moscow, Canada, England, Germany, New Zealand and Norway.
“We are streamlining our services to reflect the increased demand for our work,” said Dickinson. The unique level of personalization and customization remains, even with recent updates to the Singer facility.
1991 Porsche 911
The recently enhanced 1991 Porsche 911 that will make its home in Connecticut is a very highly specialized machine that includes a Cosworth developed 3.8L air-cooled flat-six engine producing 360 HP, coupled with a 6 speed gearbox and LSD. The car boasts suspension by Ohlins and upgraded braking by Brembo and of course signature carbon fiber bodywork, exquisite attention to detail and final execution described by many as ‘a work of art’. Each vehicle is restored by hand as a uniquely personalized and exquisite reflection of its owner’s dreams and desires. This particular owner selected a Downton Blue Exterior and Tobacco Brown Leatherweave interior.
1969 Porsche 911E
“The Brown Bomber,” built as a personal project for mixed road and track use from a 1969 Porsche 911E, was restored by Rob Dickinson and TRE Motorsports in Los Angeles. Drawing inspiration from the British “café racer” motorcycle scene, California hot-rod culture and the great Porsche road/race cars like the 911R, 911ST, Carrera RS and RSR, this machine marks the genesis of Dickinson’s belief – epitomizing the vision of a real gentleman’s racer for the road. With a Bahama Yellow exterior and Black Embossed vinyl interior, the ‘Brown Bomber’ sports a 1978 3.0L 911SC engine; 5-speed transmission; Bilstein suspension; Centre Race fuel filler; and Fuchs Wheels finished by Harvey Weidman.
Singer Background:
SVD, through its own hand-crafted artistry, restores cars for a global audience and is prepared to remain on the cutting edge for restorative work. Dickinson’s company redefines the magic of air-cooled technology by restoring a vintage icon into a coveted piece of automotive exclusivity.
Working with key Southern California-based partners – such as internationally-renowned motorsport engineers, Ed Pink Racing Engines and Mirage International, together with globally-recognized composite experts, Aria Group – Singer has gained invaluable experience that guarantees world-class standards. Ed Pink, Mirage and Aria share in Singer’s passion for restoring the iconic air-cooled Porsche 911®for its customers.
SVD’s vision involves taking a customer’s existing 964 model Porsche 911 (from 1990-1994) vehicle and performing both restorative work and cutting–edge modifications to update the cars’ performance, aesthetics and modern day use-ability in an attempt to optimize its strengths, while preserving the essence and magic of the original.
“This is a celebration of Porsche’s genius,” said Dickinson. SVD begins with a customer’s car and repatriates the 911 chassis of the early ‘90’s with the most beautiful Ferdinand ‘Butzi’ Porsche coachwork from 1964. The goal is to preserve a moment in time for the owner and capture a snapshot of the air-cooled period of the Porsche 911. Dickinson concludes, “The essence of the Porsche 911 is vivid and unique –we’re simply trying to bottle and preserve it for our customer to savor.’’
Pricing and How to Acquire Singer’s Services:
Singer works collaboratively with each owner to restore, optimize and personalize their machine to their specific tastes. A typical restoration takes approximately 10 months to complete.
SVD prices reflect a no-expense-spared content, performance and design philosophy and meticulous standards, with prices starting at $395,000 to acquire Singer’s services to comprehensively restore and optimize the owner’s Porsche 911®, and typical pricing surpassing the $450K mark.
About Singer Vehicle Design
Singer Vehicle Design (SVD) restores and modifies existing Porsche® automobiles for its customers. Singer does not manufacture or sell automobiles.
SVD is not sponsored, associated, approved, endorsed nor, in any way, affiliated with Porsche Cars North America, Inc., or Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche, AG (www.porsche.com). The Porsche® name and crest are trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG, and any other products mentioned are the trademarks of their respective holders. Any mention of trademarked names or other marks is for purpose of reference only.
The product of Singer’s painstaking effort is a Porsche 911® restored and reimagined by Singer. Out of respect for Porsche, and to respect Porsche’s trademark rights, this incredible machine should never under any circumstances be referred to or described as a “Singer,” “Singer 911,” “Singer Porsche 911” or a ”Porsche Singer 911,” or in any other manner that suggests that it is anything but a Porsche® 911®.
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