Singer has never simply restored a Porsche. It reinterprets one through craftsmanship, engineering obsession, and a deep reverence for air-cooled heritage. Now, the California atelier turns its attention to open-air motoring with the Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet Reimagined by Singer, a limited series that distills the spirit of the wide-body 1980s Carrera into something both nostalgic and unmistakably contemporary.
Limited to just 75 commissions, the Cabriolet marks Singer’s most focused exploration yet of naturally aspirated, roof-down driving. It also builds on the philosophy first explored in the brand’s earlier open-road projects.
At its heart lies a 4.0-liter flat-six derived from the Type 964 engine, reborn, reengineered, and developed in collaboration with Cosworth. Producing 420 horsepower and revving beyond 8,000 rpm, the engine features four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, water-cooled cylinder heads paired with air-cooled cylinders, and an electrically powered fan. The result combines period character with modern precision, delivering a broader torque curve and a soundtrack that defines the air-cooled legend.
Power flows exclusively to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox, reaffirming Singer’s commitment to analogue engagement. For those who appreciate mechanical theater, owners may specify a raised gear lever with exposed linkage, a reminder that engineering artistry can be both functional and beautiful.
A Tribute to the Turbo-Look Era
The Cabriolet draws inspiration from the rare wide-body Carrera variants of the 1980s, cars that offered Turbo bodywork while retaining naturally aspirated power. Singer honors that lineage with carbon-fiber wide arches, a deep front spoiler, and a choice of fixed or speed-activated rear wing, an approach that continues to influence today’s modern Porsche performance philosophy.
Engineers reimagined the new lightweight “Z-pattern” folding roof for elegance and ease, reducing mass while preserving a clean silhouette, whether raised or lowered. It represents a subtle but meaningful evolution, one that reflects Singer’s philosophy of refining the past rather than rewriting it.
As with all Singer commissions, the process begins with the original Type 964 monocoque. Technicians strip each chassis to its core, reinforce it with composite and steel strengthening elements, and prepare it through meticulous structural analysis. This approach increases torsional rigidity and improves handling precision, braking stability, and overall refinement.
Engineering Meets Artistry
The suspension benefits from four-way adjustable dampers with electronic control and a selectable nose-lift system. Carbon-ceramic brakes, developed through Singer’s DLS program, sit behind 18-inch center-lock wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport tires. Drivers can select from five drive modes, Road, Sport, Track, Off, and Weather, to fine-tune traction and stability systems developed in partnership with Bosch.
Yet numbers tell only part of the story.
Inside, the cabin becomes a canvas. Singer’s bespoke leatherwork, stitched and burnished seams, and hand-built gauges evoke the standards of fine watchmaking. Materials range from velvet corduroy seat centers to Interferenza cloth, depending on the client’s vision. Technology remains discreet, offering navigation and connectivity without intruding on the analogue experience.
Two Visions, One Philosophy
One example appears in Pacific Blue with Tangerine leather, capturing the sunlit optimism of California touring. Another arrives in Guards Red with an Ink interior and lightweight track seats, channeling motorsport intensity. Both demonstrate the breadth of personalization available to owners, who may even specify interchangeable bodywork sets housed in bespoke flight cases.
As always, Singer builds each car around the owner’s own Type 964. From there, the car undergoes months of engineering, restoration, and handcrafted detailing. Test vehicles complete thousands of development miles at renowned proving grounds, including Millbrook, IDIADA, Nardò, and the Nürburgring.
The Enduring Allure of Air-Cooled Freedom
Founded in California in 2009, Singer follows a guiding principle: a relentless pursuit of excellence. Over the past decade and a half, the company has refined this philosophy through Classic, DLS, Classic Turbo, and DLS Turbo programs. The Carrera Cabriolet now joins that lineage as the ultimate open-air expression of the air-cooled 911.
Pricing remains bespoke and depends on each owner’s vision. Availability is limited to 75 commissions worldwide.
In an era increasingly defined by electrification and automation, Singer offers something profoundly tactile: the sound of a naturally aspirated flat-six rising toward the horizon, experienced without filters or compromise.
For devoted Porsche purists, it may be the most compelling way yet to chase the open road.
