When Porsche dropped the air-cooled flat sixes from the 911 line up in the late ’90s, it was very much the end of an era. Not everyone took the change well but if you ask me it was necessary for the car to evolve with the times. However, since the advent of resto-modding, the air-cooled engines have been given a second wind, delighting the most hardcore of enthusiasts yet again. The most prolific company in this space is Singer, and their DLS model has become the last word in classic air-cooled motoring pleasure. Everything that can be changed has been changed in the name of weight reduction and purity. This Porsche is as bespoke as it gets.
The design of this car is inspired by the 1973 Carrera RS, but it is oh soo much more than that. All the panels are hand-crafted carbon fibre pieces stitched on to a 964 911 chassis that’s been heavily re-inforced for rigidity. The widened stance, thicker tyres and overall fitment is nothing like a car from the ’70s, so you know that this is something serious constructed with modern techniques. I’m not a 911 diehard but the styling of this car really does look fantastic and I can’t fault it. I see it as an enhancement of the original product, which always goes down well in my book.
The Singer DLS is not put together with an army of robots like a large scale manufacturer would, so that in itself drives up the cost of production for this vehicle. It doesn’t take many existing parts off the shelf, aside from ciritical components like brakes and suspension – but even then I believe there are some bespoke elements to them. The most insane thing about this car is that even the bolts are made to be as light as possible. Soo much of the cost goes into details you can’t see from the outside. Most normies wouldn’t understand this. Luckily you do.
Now we must focus on the air-cooled flat 6 that powers this beauty. I’m just going to tell you straight up – Porsche did not build the engine. Williams did! Yes, that Williams. OK, maybe not the F1 team specifically but a special department within it that builds all sorts of advanced power units. They made the hybrid engine for the Jaguar CX-75 Concept which, had it gone into production, would’ve given the 918 a run for it’s money. With this sort of know-how, you can bet your bottom dollar that the engine in the back is made to the tightest of tolerances. It’s an unadulterated, naturally aspirated air-cooled unit engineered to perfection.
$4 million is a big price to pay for any car, and some will argue that it’s a complete waste because you can get a lot of really fun cars for the same amount of cash. But think of it this way: if people are willing to share this incredible machine with all enthusiasts, is it really a waste? It’s the sort of car that we can talk about and admire because when modern technology meets an old-fashioned concept, it has the ability to launch it into the stratosphere. The sheer level of refinement on this car is unmatched, and that’s why it costs $4 million.
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