Singer Vehicle Design

Singer Vehicle Design
steve lyon from los angeles, ca, usa · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Singer Vehicle Design
Founded	2009
Founder	Rob Dickinson
Headquarters	Los Angeles, California
Industry	Automotive restoration, coachbuilding
Products	Restomod Porsche 911, bespoke interiors, engine rebuilds

Singer Vehicle Design is an automotive restoration and coachbuilding firm based in Los Angeles, California, founded in 2009 by Rob Dickinson. The company is noted for comprehensive restoration and reimagining of classic Porsche 911 models, blending elements from Porsche AG, Singer (company), and bespoke coachbuilding traditions associated with Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Alfa Romeo. Singer’s work has been exhibited at events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Goodwood Festival of Speed, and SEMA Show, drawing attention from publications like Autocar (magazine), Car and Driver, and Top Gear.

History

Singer Vehicle Design was established by former Catherine Wheel (band) singer and Automotive engineering enthusiast Rob Dickinson, who combined experience from Toyota ownership culture and influences from Porsche Club of America restorers. Early work drew on the heritage of the Porsche 911 (964) era and the renaissance of coachbuilding seen in houses like Pininfarina and Bertone. Singer gained prominence following showcases at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering and the Salon Privé where restored 911s attracted collectors from Monterey Car Week and Villa d'Este. Collaborations and customer commissions expanded during the 2010s alongside partnerships with suppliers from Bosch, Brembo, and Michelin.

Products and Services

Singer’s core offering is the bespoke restoration and "restomod" of classic Porsche 911 chassis, particularly the Porsche 911 (964) and the Porsche 911 (993). Services include full chassis refurbishment, custom bodywork inspired by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, engine reengineering with partners like Ariel Motor Company and specialist engine builders, bespoke interior design referencing Hermès craftsmanship and coachwork elements from Jaguar and Rolls-Royce. Singer also offers limited sub-brands and programs such as the Dynamics and Lightweighting Study (DLS) developed with Cosworth and materials from Alcantara and Carbon fiber suppliers. Ancillary services encompass project management, sourcing of historic components from archives like the Porsche Museum, and delivery of turn-key collector vehicles to clients around Los Angeles, London, and Hong Kong.

Design and Engineering

Design draws upon principles from historic coachbuilders such as Enzo Ferrari-era aesthetics and the functionalist lineage of Ferdinand Porsche. Exterior modifications emphasize hand-formed aluminum and composite panels reflecting techniques used by Carrozzeria Zagato and Pininfarina, while retaining proportions of the original Porsche 911 Targa and coupe profiles. Engine work often includes air-cooled flat-six reconfigurations influenced by tuning houses like RUF Automobile and engine builders who have worked with Cosworth and Porsche Motorsport. Chassis and suspension upgrades integrate technologies from suppliers including Bilstein, KW Automotive, and AP Racing. Interiors are crafted with leatherwork traditions akin to Bentley coachcraft, instrument clusters nod to classic Jaeger (instrument maker) gauges, and in-car ergonomics reflect standards upheld at events such as the Goodwood Revival.

Business Model and Operations

Singer operates a commission-driven model combining bespoke craftsmanship with limited-run programs marketed to collectors, investors, and enthusiasts from networks such as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance community and international dealerships. The company maintains a workshop in Los Angeles and collaborates with engineering partners in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan, drawing supplier relationships from Bosch, Brembo, Michelin, and boutique coachbuilders. Pricing and client selection mirror practices seen in luxury sectors like Aston Martin Lagonda and Ferrari N.V. collector programs. Singer’s operations emphasize low-volume, high-margin projects, quality assurance processes aligned with standards from the Society of Automotive Engineers, and bespoke logistics used by elite restorers during events at Monterey Car Week and Salon Privé.

Reception and Impact

Singer’s restorations have been acclaimed by critics, collectors, and publications including Road & Track, Evo (magazine), and Automobile (magazine), earning placements at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and attention from museums like the Petersen Automotive Museum. The company has influenced a wider "restomod" movement alongside firms such as RUF, Gemballa, and Singer Vehicle Design contemporaries by elevating expectations for craftsmanship, provenance, and performance in vintage vehicle markets. Debate has arisen in collector circles regarding authenticity versus modification, echoing earlier discourse around restorations of Ford Model T and Jaguar E-Type classics. Singer’s work has contributed to rising valuations for modified classics at auctions held by RM Sotheby’s, Bonhams, and Gooding & Company.

Category:Coachbuilders Category:Automotive restoration companies