Legend has it that Rob Dickinson, founder and executive chairman of Singer Vehicle Design, fell in love with the Porsche 911 as a young boy when his father first pointed it out to him. This passion led Dickinson to establish a successful business reimagining classic Porsche models with his own unique touch.
It’s important to note that Singer is not affiliated with Porsche in any way. Customers bring their air-cooled 964 version models from 1989-1994 to the Singer shop for a complete transformation. The cars undergo a meticulous process of disassembly and modification, focusing on every detail to meet Singer’s high standards.
Every aspect, every bolt, every minuscule detail is carefully examined and expertly reworked. Dickinson established Singer with the vision of blending classic 911 models with modern technology while preserving the essence of the car and enhancing its performance.
Dickinson recalls, “I wrote ‘Everything is important’ on a wall a decade ago. Every element must be treated with the same level of perfection. This is what our clients appreciate – the attention to detail. The 911 is the most significant sports car globally, which is why I chose it as the foundation for the Singer brand.”
Despite its technological advancements, the surprising fact is that the car remains analog. This means no touchscreens or self-driving features. The focus is on creating a traditional, perfect vehicle rather than a modern, robotic imitation.
Recreating a cultural German icon
Partially named after Norbert Singer, a renowned racing engineer who began his career at Porsche in 1970, the Singer Group now employs over 600 staff in California and the UK. In February 2024, the 300th Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer’s Classic restoration services department was completed, with a continual demand that shows no sign of slowing down.
Dickinson points out, “Whether you’re a fan of the Porsche 911 or not, it holds cultural significance with millions of dedicated followers. We’ve positioned ourselves to take this iconic car and reimagine it to be better than its original form, and more relevant for the modern era.”
Clients collaborate with Singer to customize their cars within the company’s guidelines. They can choose between a naturally aspirated or turbocharged engine, as well as bodywork inspired by various classic Porsche models, all based on the 964 platform.
