Thursday 17th January 2013

Chris Harris video: the Singer 911

Harris's first video for 2013 and he's setting the bar pretty high with a drive in the fabulous Singer 911

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Dan asked me to write something substantial about the Singer, which was a good idea because for many of us the Singer project embodies everything we love about cars. It's a project driven by passion and obsession and through it you uncover the fanatical levels of knowledge lurking within people like Rob Dickenson, the man whose vision became the car.

All the best bits of the 911, wrapped up in one

The problem with writing a long story is that it does seem a little bit unnecessary when we've just produced a 25-minute video on the car. We tried to cut it back and give the usual 12 minutes, but the footage was too good - the narrative behind the car's creation was too compelling.

We spent a few days with the team and I came away wanting to give up what I do and join the Singer mission. If they come across as just the type of people you'd like to knock about with, then the video has succeeded.

There was a classic moment when we were shooting the walk-around with Maz explaining the technical side of the car and you can just spot Rob lurking in the background. He scuttles off with some rags. To clean his 17-inch wheels. He couldn't stand the way the grime was dulling the light on them, so he just rolled his office chair into the workshop and started polishing them. And this wasn't sickly preciousness. At the circuit he just told me to drive the danglies off it and stood there with a Bisto kid grin and drank in the spectacle.

Unashamed passion and geekery in action

I hope this video gives a real insight into the quality of the car and the depth of engineering within it, because all too often this type of machine is featured in car magazines and the suspicion is that the appeal is only superficial and done to look good on paper to snag extra sales. The Singer is built like an expensive racing car.

Enough from me. Please watch the video and enjoy what is now on my motor car bucket list.

 

 

[Vilhelm]

Been waiting for a decent video on this car for ages. Top work, and the car is incredible.

[roystinho]

27 mins, great effort. No wonder there's not been a video for weeks. Gonna settle down with a brew and watch

[JayT]

After all that wait, I get this.

[anonymous-user]

If I could only have one car, seriously, this is it.

[lordlee]

I really, really want one. Donations very gratefully accepted...

[possibletowel]

glorious car. letting the men behind it talk for so long was the best bit !

[GTmuse]

I've got to say, as both a huge fan of classic 911's ever since seeing a photo of my neighbour's old RS-T,and being an Automotive Engineering student - I wish that video was twice as long.

[harryowl]

What a surprise.

[delays]

Cracking vid, Harris clearly loves his Pork; await the barrage of "oh no, another Harris Porsche video".

[sl350z]

delays said:

Cracking vid, Harris clearly loves his Pork; await the barrage of "oh no, another Harris Porsche video".

Already above

[minimalist]

I prefer your old ST inspired car....

[anonymous-user]

JayT said:

After all that wait, I get this.

You know it is possible for an Apple product to sometimes 'not work'.

[jazzybee]

Fantastic Video, Fantastic Car - Fantastic down-to-earth car-loving people at Singer. Fantastic! So much want!

[vrooom]

I would do very wrong thing to that car.. I Want one !!!

[LongLiveTazio]

harryowl said:

What a surprise.

yourself, I'm not a Porsche fan yet I can appreciate the obsession that results in a Singer. People should be applauded for refining a concept.

Top notch.

[Bohemianesque]

Bloody excellent video, well done Chris. You have set the bar high for 2013. As for the car......oh hell. I so so so want.

[anonymous-user]

Does it come with PDK?

[Contigo]

Groan! We get it Chris you like Porsche's!

[Contigo]

Does it share any qualities with the famous sewing machine?

[BeirutTaxi]

harryowl said:

What a surprise.

harryowl's profile said:

SOTW: Rover 200 BRM 7
New BMW M5 Revealed In Leaked Shots 3
Driven: Bugatti Veyron Super Sport 0

Now that's a surprise