Singer Reimagines the Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet
The Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet Reimagined by Singer represents Singer’s latest services. Singer is a California-based luxury specialist that restores and reimagines classic Porsche 911s in collaboration with their owners. This Singer restoration programme celebrates the air-cooled Porsche era while applying modern engineering to a 964-based 911 cabriolet.
Rob Dickinson, Singer’s Founder and Creative Director, explains: “By the mid-1980’s, the personalisation Porsche first offered for the Carrera Coupe had reached the Carrera Cabriolet, which could be ordered with the wider body of the 911 Turbo but powered by the company’s latest, naturally aspirated flat six. Our services reference this car and celebrate another chapter in the evolution of the 911, with the ultimate open-roof, naturally aspirated G model, reimagined for the twenty-first century. The sporting nature of the Carrera led us to reappraise the period roof mechanism to reduce weight and maintain a sleek profile, whether the roof is raised or lowered. The remarkable flat-six brings together our learnings from the last fifteen years and can now be heard more clearly than ever.”
Raj Nair, Singer’s Chief Executive Officer, says: “We’ve concentrated on a high-revving, naturally aspirated sports car that’s compelling to drive and beautifully executed. We only work with the best, so we’ve developed partnerships with companies that have built their reputations at the very highest levels of motorsport and the automotive world to help us in this mission.”
Mazen Fawaz, Singer’s Chief Strategy Officer, notes: “Porsche offered drivers a wide-bodied, naturally aspirated 911 Carrera Cabriolet in the 1980s. It was a rare car featuring uprated brakes and suspension, along with its dramatic appearance, and you could order it with or without the famous whale-tail rear spoiler. We’ve used this as inspiration for our latest services, which bring together a very special naturally aspirated flat-six with the driving dynamics and standards of execution Singer is known for.”
The restoration process begins when the owner of a Porsche 911 Cabriolet (Type 964) sends their car to Singer and requests a personalised restoration. Porsche built these sports cars more than thirty years ago, and many drivers have covered thousands of miles in them since then. Singer starts by carefully disassembling the owner’s car. The team removes the interior, the exterior bodywork, and all mechanical components until the steel monocoque (chassis) is revealed. Technicians assess, clean, and prepare the chassis to ensure it is in the appropriate condition for the next stages of restoration. The team applies chassis strengthening during this phase to increase the rigidity of the original Type 964 monocoque.
The engine in a 911 Carrera Cabriolet Reimagined by Singer draws on Singer’s long experience with the 911 and learnings from the DLS programme, where the company’s first four-valve cylinder head was born. This expertise allows Singer to keep exploring the performance potential of the Type 964’s iconic flat-six for its clients. Singer does this through ongoing optimisation and the development of a revised four-valve cylinder head. Singer has jointly developed the engine's execution with Cosworth, and Cosworth has applied its experience in variable valve timing, combustion chamber design, and intake and exhaust flow.
The engine matches the unit used in the Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Reimagined by Singer and introduces several firsts. It is the first engine restored for a Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer to feature variable valve timing, and it optimises drivability at low speeds and power at high revs. It is also the first naturally aspirated engine restored by Singer to use water-cooled cylinder heads with air-cooled cylinders, plus an electrically powered fan, drawing on learnings from the DLS Turbo programme.
These features help the 4.0L flat-six deliver 420 HP and extend torque across a wider range of engine speeds. They also allow owners in a growing range of countries to restore their cars through Singer’s services. The engine will rev to over 8000 rp,m, and an optimised six-speed manual gearbox delivers power to the rear wheels, encouraging drivers to explore that range. Owners may specify a raised gear shifter with an exposed shift mechanism, which underlines the engineering craftsmanship. A newly developed titanium exhaust system allows the flat-six to breathe freely and amplifies its signature soundtrack.
The original Type 964 monocoque remains at the heart of the car. Over the last fifteen years, Singer has invested in extensive simulation and structural analysis of this chassis for its owners. This work has developed a chassis-strengthening system that combines composite and steel reinforcement, and the team applies it to the monocoque at the start of the restoration process. This strengthening transforms the chassis into an optimised foundation for subsequent restoration stages. Increased torsional rigidity improves handling, braking, and overall refinement.
Singer’s experience with carbon fibre enables careful balancing of iconic DNA with cutting-edge engineering and material science. The bodywork draws inspiration from the G-model cars of the 1980s, and Singer reimagines it for aesthetic appeal and functional performance. Carbon fibre reduces mass, increases stiffness, and sharpens dynamic responses in the way Singer clients expect.
The carbon fibre cabriolet body style draws inspiration from the Turbo-look variants of the 1980s and features wide front and rear bodywork. Singer has designed a new, lightweight ‘Z pattern’ folding roof mechanism that enables simple, smooth operation and maintains a clean profile when the roof is raised or lowered. A deep front spoiler optimises cooling and airflow at the front of the car, while intakes in the leading edges of the rear wings direct cooling air to the engine compartment.
Drivers could specify the 911 Carrera Cabriolet in period with or without the famous whale tail rear wing, and Singer’s restoration services give today’s drivers the same choice. A fixed wing or a speed-activated wing manages airflow over the rear of the car for stability at speed. Owners may also specify high-performance auxiliary driving lights that rise from the front bonnet when activated and fold down flush when not in use.
Singer enhances the engine’s dynamic performance with a sophisticated approach to suspension, brakes, wheels, and tyres, in line with the 911 Carrera cars of the period. Suspension developed for Singer’s turbocharged services provides the foundation for compliant, sporting handling. New four-way adjustable dampers with electronic damping control allow adjustment from the driver’s seat, and they incorporate a nose lift system. Owners may specify carbon ceramic brakes developed through the DLS services, and they sit behind 18” centre-lock wheels and deliver strong stopping power.
Tyre technology has advanced significantly since the end of the twentieth century, and the latest Michelin Pilot Sport tyres help the restored car transmit its power to the road. The driver may select from five drive modes (Road, Sport, Track, Off and Weather) to adjust the intervention levels from traction control and electronic stability control, depending on road conditions and driver capability.
Singer’s restoration and modification services let owners personalise the cabin to match their preferences through bespoke paint, leather, and material finishes. Owners may request lightweight sports or track seats that support the driving position and the raised gear shifter mechanism. Singer reimagines the familiar 911 instrument layout with hand-built gauges that uphold high watchmaking standards in the cabin. Singer applies traditional leatherworking techniques and, for the first time, allows owners to request stitched-and-burnished leather seams throughout the cab. The team uses technology judiciously, including discreet navigation and phone connectivity.
As with every Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer, the owners have personalised the two cars featured in this press release to match their individual requirements.
The touring-focused specification uses a Type 964 chassis and lightweight carbon fibre bodywork in Pacific Blue. It includes a speed-activated rear wing, a touring-focused front splitter, and high-performance auxiliary driving lights. It uses a 4.0L, four-valve-per-cylinder naturally aspirated flat-six with variable valve timing, paired with a six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. It includes a carbon-ceramic braking system, 18” centre-lock wheels, and a convertible folding roof. The interior is presented in Tangerine, with stitched and burnished leather seams and sports seats with velvet corduroy centres. It includes air conditioning, nose lift, navigation, and CarPlay connectivity.
The sports-focused specification uses a Type 964 chassis and lightweight carbon fibre bodywork in Guards Red. It includes a fixed rear wing, a sports-focused front splitter, and high-performance auxiliary driving lights. It uses a 4.0L, four-valve-per-cylinder naturally aspirated flat-six with variable valve timing, paired with a six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. It includes a carbon-ceramic braking system, 18” centre-lock wheels, and a convertible folding roof. The interior is presented in Ink, with stitched and burnished leather seams and Interferenza cloth. It uses lightweight track seats and includes air conditioning, nose lift, navigation, and CarPlay connectivity. For ultimate freedom of choice, the owner may specify both sets of front and rear bodywork and include a bespoke flight case, which allows configuration changes as required.
Singer proves its restoration services through a rigorous development schedule. Test cars complete thousands of miles of intensive evaluation at famous proving grounds, including Millbrook in the UK, IDIADA in Spain, Nardo in Italy and the Nürburgring in Germany, where TÜV certification for Singer’s services is carried out.
Each restoration is unique. Every owner has personal preferences and requirements for bespoke engineering when working with Singer to personalise their 911. Prices for Singer's restoration services depend on the specifications each owner requests. Singer will limit the Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet Reimagined by Singer to 75 commissions.
Singer’s clientèle includes discerning drivers around the world. A world-class team of experts supports them through specification, restoration, and ownership. In a growing number of markets, Singer provides local support through the company’s Global Partner Network (GPN), which brings together experienced automotive specialists. GPN support is available in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia.
