Singer: PH Meets (yes, again!)

PH chats Targas, engine upgrades and more with Singer's Rob Dickinson on a recent visit to the UK

All at Goodwood this year can't have failed to notice the presence of Singer Vehicle Design. The 'Montreal' Targa was surrounded by admirers on the Cartier concours lawn, similarly the 'London' Coupe in the supercar run. Wherever the cars go, the crowds will follow; Goodwood was the first official European visit of Singer but of course everyone knew and loved the cars already. The Internet has its uses after all...

A nondescript studio never looked so good

So with the vehicles and the people of Singer in the UK for a few additional days and the opportunity to view them up close (the cars...), the invite was very keenly accepted.

Even in a studio that will never show the cars off in the best light, they are completely captivating. We all know they are by now but the opportunity to pore over one without a phone in your periphery or the sense of being a hindrance is a real privilege. That perfect stance, the flawless finish, the gorgeous little details... again, the obsessive perfectionism of Rob Dickinson and his crew at Singer is widely known but there's another level of appreciation once it's been viewed in close proximity.

The main draw of the event is the Targa, Singer's first and eventually bound for Montreal. Another Targa, gold apparently, will be seen at Monterey in August and there are half a dozen or so in build at present but this one will do just nicely actually. Rob speaks of each restoration project being a "collaborative process" and that "special requests" are accommodated wherever possible; this car was intended very much as a less showy Singer creation, a point proven when compared with the 'London' coupe five metres away. See the lack of Porsche graphics or stripes, the visible oil and petrol caps being omitted and, most obviously, the grey paint. As always though, it's the magnificent details that are so special; the slight bronze tint in the nickel roll hoop (picked up again in the paint fleck and the brake calipers), the intricately packaged roof in the front and the impeccable upholstery. There's even a subwoofer disguised under the rear seat - bet you weren't expecting that...

This is Rob from Singer. He likes perfect

Furthermore, this Targa is significant for introducing the new Ed Pink 4.0-litre engine. We've heard a few details of this engine already but hearing Rob detail it with such enthusiasm and knowledge is a real treat. "An absolute monster in a very good way" is how he describes it, retaining the revvy nature of the 3.8 but with "just more everywhere". The focus was on lightening reciprocating masses while maintaining drivability, to make it as useable around town as it is on track. The AEM ECU is credited with doing a superb management job. Peak power is at 7,200rpm so the limiter is 7,300rpm; Rob is adamant it would comfortably go to 8,500rpm. Dear Lord...

The car has recently been with Road and Track too, where it posted a 3.3-second 0-60mph time, an 11.7-second quarter mile and 1:35.1 around Laguna Seca. It weighed in at 2,743lbs, which is 1,244kg. Or about what a Subaru BRZ weighs.

Unsurprisingly then there is a huge amount of demand for the Targa at the moment. Apparently a Coupe owner saw the latest creation at Goodwood and has comisssioned a restoration project of his own to join it... As for the engine, pretty much every car leaving Singer now is a 4.0. Asked whether there is demand beyond this engine, Rob says "we might be able to do more".

Drawn away from the poking round the cars like a small child, the discussion of Singer's future is fascinating. TUV approval is the next big goal, opening up not only Germany but many other European markets as well. "It's something we knew was essential and that we've only got round to after five years" Rob explains. Other than that he's keen to reach a position "of some sort of calmness". The impression is now of Singer Vehicle Design being established, that the world knows what they're about and what they can achieve. Already a few of the early cars (38 have had the treatment) have sold on privately for more than the original project cost, the strong residuals a great reflection on the Singer brand and experience. Longevity and durability crop up as keywords, along with the goodwill of owners as Rob and his team attempt to perfect their reimagination of a Porsche 911. Remember how many of the parts are unique to the car; ensuring those will work in Bahrain, or in Indonesia or Montreal will clearly take some time.

Targa or coupe? One buyer is having both

Furthermore, if car choice is as much about the person as the vehicle then Rob is the perfect advert for his company. As we're chatting he constantly notices imperfections and minor blemishes ("there's s**t all over the bloody car", for example, on a car which looks pristine) and clearly will not stop until every aspect meets his exacting standards. "It makes me feel physically ill when I see stuff that needs to be fixed" he says, off to fetch Kent cleaner for the rubber seals. The fastidiousness is charming, heartening and a little concerning all at the same time. "I'm seeing a shrink" comes the justification.

We'll leave the philosophical debate on Singer and its work for the ensuing forum debate; what can be said from this is that the money every customer pays is evident in each panel gap, stitch and surface. Every aspect is meticulously, exquisitely finished, and that will surely be a huge part of the appeal to many. That they are magnificent to drive will surely seal it. But here's a sobering point to finish on - that 'Yoke Yellow' London Coupe was bought for just £13,000 a couple of years ago. Today the most affordable C2 964 manual on PH is nearly £50K. How expensive can this Porsche game get?