resurrecting the 503-hp air-cooled turbo: Singer 911 Classic Turbo Lancer test drive

in the California sunshine, a classic 911 emerges with a soft cream-colored body and green Fuchs-style wheels. but this isn’t just any restoration model: it’s the Singer 911 Classic Turbo Fuji Commission, a reimagining of the Singer 911 Classic Turbo that combines modern technology and craftsmanship by Singer Vehicle Design, the company that elevates classic Porsches to the status of art. more than just a machine, it’s a work of art that questions the essence of driving.

heart: Air-cooled emotion, modern turbo technology

the heart of the car is the ‘Metzger ‘ air-cooled flat-sixengine, named after Porsche’s legendary engineer Hans Metzger. singer expanded the 964’s 3.6-liter engine to 3.8 liters and implanted it with variable geometry twin turbochargers (VGTs) taken from the current 992 Turbo S. As a result, this classic heart pumps out a modern powerhouse with a peak output of 503 horsepower. the engine block itself remains air-cooled, but employs a water-to-air intercooler to cool the air heated by the turbos, an exquisite fusion. all of this power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmissiononly.

chassis and design: carbon fiber meets classic

the weight is around 1,360 kilograms. that’s heavier than the original 930 Turbo from the 1970s, but more than twice as powerful. to achieve this paradoxical performance, the body was reconstructed entirely from lightweight carbon fiber,with the exception of the steel doors. the iconic ‘shark fin’ design of the 930 Turbo, first unveiled at the 1974 Paris Motor Show, has been reimagined as an intake that directs cooling air to the engine, while Brembo carbon ceramic brakes are hidden inside 18-inch Fuchs-style wheels. the suspension has been completely redesigned with F1-tech R53 coilover dampers, bringing cutting-edge technology to a classic look.

the essence of driving: machine and human connection

turn the key on the left-hand side, and the engine awakens to reveal its primal life with a complex mechanical sound. the crisp feel of the Ricardo-built six-speed manual transmission, the firm response of the clutch, and the hydraulic steering that transmits every breath of the road give the driver a sense of complete control. but Singer didn’t stop at pure analog sensations: a five-stage traction and stability control system developed in collaboration with Bosch ensures safety without compromising driving pleasure. the fact that Bosch, a large company, was willing to develop the system exclusively for Singer, a small builder, shows how special this car is in the industry.

conclusion: A car that became a work of art, and why you want one

singer is not officially affiliated with Porsche, so you can’t legally call the car a “Singer,” but owners happily do, and the name has become an icon. despite its multi-million dollar price tag, it’s not just the fact that it’s fast or rare that makes it so appealing – it’s the fact that when it’s parked on the side of the road, it’s only visible to those in the know, and to strangers, it just looks like a ‘beautiful old 911’ – and that’s what makes it so desirable.