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Posted by: csdilligaf Jan 12 2017, 04:02 PM

I've been addicted to watching all the youtube video's of the Singer 911's. Simply mind blowing work to rebuild an older 911 that beats a GT3 RS around most test tracks. Sure it costs 3 times as much as a GT3 but just imagine a 914 if they were to do one. Out of my league I know, but just knowing someone has that kind of craftsmanship makes me smile. They use a 3.8 motor that Cosworth helped tweek and tune, fully seam welded chassis and nothing is overlooked. They put 4000 hrs into building the Singer 911. Obviously for the ultra rich but what do you suppose a Singer 914 could fetch in price?

Posted by: brant Jan 12 2017, 04:08 PM

same cost in labor and parts.

they would probably only work off of a real -6 chassis number at these prices
I'm thinking the price would be the same as a 911

Posted by: mepstein Jan 12 2017, 04:23 PM

I can afford to do a 6 conversion on my 914.
I can't come close to affording a singer and it doesn't make me unhappy.

Posted by: PanelBilly Jan 12 2017, 06:28 PM

That's what I've been trying to build myself. Might not have the Singer name on it, but I think I can make a car that would stand up to their product

Posted by: Catorse Jan 12 2017, 06:31 PM

Heard through a very reliable source that they are doing a non-911. Not the 914.....

Posted by: mepstein Jan 12 2017, 07:23 PM

You have a great car but their product is completely different.

Posted by: My 914 Jan 12 2017, 08:21 PM

I appreciate this thread. Didn't know about Singer at all. Just spent the last hour reading about them. I wonder if they would entertain the idea of doing a 914.

Posted by: Rand Jan 12 2017, 08:24 PM

Say what? Reality check! WOW. And RUF too? It takes $bigass.00 to stand up to them!! Sorry bro, unless you have a couple $million in excess budget we don't know about, it's a different league.

Posted by: boxsterfan Jan 12 2017, 08:34 PM

I would gladly let Singer redo my car as a prototype.

Posted by: Cracker Jan 12 2017, 09:18 PM

The "Singer" approach is obviously multi-faceted...out-right performance is not the end goal. Putting a GT3 RS and a Singer 911 in the hands of a professional (on track) would not be especially close - given a reasonable session. Wasn't their goal.

I appreciate the "Singer" but would rather have the GT3RS - if given the choice and with no financial ties-to or rewards-from the deal.

A perfect early 911 might fetch $200+ on the best days...Singer's start near $550-$600 - 'nuff said.

Tony

Posted by: Cracker Jan 12 2017, 09:22 PM

Actually Brant, it isn't. Singer has built their brand (up until now) around the 911 - the cost to replicate the CF body panels (+ everything else) would be immense. The limited number of potential buyers of teeners would not make it a reasonable investment to pursue. Ain't gonna happen...or shocked if they do - I should say.

There is NO market for Singer "like" 914's...no multiples cars (20+)!

T

Posted by: My 914 Jan 12 2017, 09:23 PM

So, who does to 914's what Singer does to 911's?

Posted by: thelogo Jan 12 2017, 09:35 PM

I applied for a job at singer without even knowing who they were until i arrived, and wholly shit i was impressed

I didnt get the job ,but they did have 6 cyclinder
914 s in there that they were working on .

I personally think the term overkill applies to
These cars but if thats what people want ,good for them

For 300 k i would buy a 1997 911 turbo

A bottle of blue label johnny walker

And 50 .
thousand dollars a night hookers

But thats just me

Posted by: Mikey914 Jan 12 2017, 09:36 PM

Started a thread to this effect. My son Taylor is doing a tub up restoration.

Posted by: colingreene Jan 12 2017, 09:41 PM

Why so a bunch of cheap ass 914 people wont buy one?

Posted by: Mowog4 Jan 12 2017, 09:49 PM

A lot of people on this site do what Singer does in their own garages, granted it may not be to the same level of design thoroughness and complexity. I love the concept of taking a classic and turning it Into someone's vision of the perfect car.

Posted by: infraredcalvin Jan 12 2017, 10:11 PM

Start with this, make sure fenders hoods and top are kevlar or carbon fiber, custom update lighting systems, take the interior, both trunks to a Bentley/rolls type quality interior specialist...



All this and you might be 1/2 way there. There's a component of quality, style, scale, design that they provide that seems to work without overdoing it. I'd love to see what they could do with a 914!

Posted by: 914 Jan 12 2017, 10:45 PM

A Singer 914-6 would be pretty cool..There builds are amazing.. I would do a lite retro version on the "6"..
914

Posted by: Mueller Jan 12 2017, 11:40 PM

Like Cracker mentioned, it is not just about speed and power with the Singer cars, they are sort of like the ICON Jeeps and Broncos, rebuilt or perhaps reborn would be a better word.

The materials used, the different textures, the coloring (I've only seen one hideous interior on Instagram) and the fit make these cars standout. Don't they spend countless hours making sure that the gaps between the taillights and the body are within a few .005" per assembly?

That black 914 posted above was at Canepa unsold for months at a price 1/4 of a Singer 911.

Posted by: KeithVonLaws Jan 13 2017, 04:53 AM

I think everyone here has done some sort of improvement to their 914.
Ive been impressed by several builds here on the board. From concourse restoration's to juiced up V8's and Subie powered cars. The beauty is in all of them. I get a kick out of seeing the HELL Holes some folks are going through just to make a Kool driver. Singer makes a nice product no doubt. Personally I like seeing what our fellow teeners are building ..... especially the guys who are just learning as they go. I think our cars have much more Heart in them than any Singer - Ruf or Gemballa could ever have.
My 2 cents

Posted by: Cracker Jan 13 2017, 08:01 AM

That could be for various reasons but ONE reason is that the car was previously for sale (down to) $45k on the open market. With the internet these days - its hard to hide information from scrutinizing eyes. Selling a car under the "Canepa-name" might be able inflate the price to some degree, for sure, but not multiples. The one caveat here is Canepa's clientele base might not give a rats-ass - they see it - they want it - they write a check for it. Since its been lingering around for so long there now - maybe the "clients" are smarter than I give them credit for or it is the curse of the 914. Still not highly regarded...no matter who built (save M471 and very rare race cars with real provenance)!

I tried to push the limits (I am just a dude in the garage and have serious limits in both skill and resources) to my creative ends and towards my vision for a "re-imagined" teener. I was never trying to build a Singer...I would have failed miserably. I built a "Cracker" (insert your name here _______) that could run past 991 GT3RS's on-track and to Home Depot for odds and ends! I applaud everyone doing their "own thing"...I've never seen a model so loved-on like a teener. Never.

A cheer and toast to EVERYONE trying to "do their best" executing the vision they have for the 914 (not destroying one, if you catch my drift)!

T

Posted by: infraredcalvin Jan 13 2017, 08:23 AM

Thanks for the sanity check!

Posted by: eyesright Jan 13 2017, 08:50 AM

Yeah, Singer's and such are about what you can afford. Teener's are about what you can conceive and do yourself...with a little help.

Posted by: csdilligaf Jan 13 2017, 09:04 AM

We all put our blood and sweat into our projects and some are absolute marvels for sure. I appreciate the level Singer takes the 911 too. In every test drive video or show people stand back and just say "WOW, Perfection". I guess as a 914 nut I think a Singer 914 would be even better. Who would have thought there was a market for $400K Singer 911's.

Posted by: Cracker Jan 13 2017, 09:41 AM

1: Its not $400k - much more!
2: Those 3-digits make all the difference.
3: If 914 owners don't want to drive a $50k-$80k original six (or even 4 - gasp)...imagine if that car cost $550k!
4: It would be something you look at - art - sculpture (waste).

T

Posted by: RobW Jan 13 2017, 09:41 AM

As much as I appreciate the fact that our once lowly 914s are receiving appreciation, I still resemble a poor man with a poor man's porsche.

Posted by: mepstein Jan 13 2017, 11:08 AM

If I could afford one, I'd daily drive it. They are just fancied up 964's. Totally replaceable if you have enough money.

What's the old saying? Not driving your Porsche is like not having sex with your girlfriend so you can save her for the next guy.

Posted by: dlkawashima Jan 13 2017, 11:54 AM

One reason is there's no headroom in that car now. I'm not that tall (a little over 5'-10") and my head touched the roof when I sat in it. But give BDog (Mike) credit ... he had a vision and saw it through to completion. It's a beautifully built car, regardless of the price. The car was sold months ago and went back to the northwest as I recall.

Posted by: Cracker Jan 13 2017, 12:14 PM

Never did I suggest the car wasn't great - I always liked it. If I had been a midget I probably would have bought it as I understand completely what it takes to get a car to that level. At 6'6" it wasn't happening...

Tony

Posted by: somd914 Jan 13 2017, 01:25 PM

I came across a Singer a while back. Impressive build, but as it was explained to me the total cost was above $400k. At that price I can think of several other cars I'd rather have, and I mean buying several cars for that price.

Posted by: iwanta914-6 Jan 13 2017, 02:05 PM

Yes, anything that Singer builds is for the ultra wealthy. Would someone buy a $400K 914? I bet there are some that would, just to add to their collections because they have more money than they know what to do with.

Posted by: csdilligaf Jan 13 2017, 02:37 PM

I am drawn to the 914 for all the same reasons I am the Singer 911, It comes down to man and machine sharing a connection. Sure for Singer kind of money you could have a new 911 turbo, Ferrari 488 and so on but with traction control, launch control, PDK paddle shift and all the other stuff I wouldn't enjoy it as much. After a few 914 builds I think I have started one that will be the last. I hope to put enough care and attention to detail and attempt to do my version of "re-imagined". I would love a Singer but nothing can replace something you build yourself.

Posted by: Dave_Darling Jan 13 2017, 04:17 PM

Not enough would to get the price down to $400K. They did an immense amount of work just designing their take on the 911, and they can re-coup that over the course of a few dozen cars (or more). At $400K, I imagine there'd bee fewer than one dozen takers, which means they'd have to charge more to amortize the one-time costs, which would mean they'd have fewer buyers, which would make the cost higher...

So, who would buy a $4M 914? I'm not sure anyone would... And Singer would probably still lose money on it.

--DD

Posted by: infraredcalvin Jan 13 2017, 07:48 PM

I told a friend that the only car I'd trade my 930 for was a singer... easy to say now that there's a big price gap...

Posted by: Cracker Jan 13 2017, 07:52 PM

There most likely always will be...easy decision forevermore.

T

Posted by: whatabout1 Jan 13 2017, 08:27 PM

This in the parking lot a few mouths ago





Yumm! Come On Power Ball !!!!!

Bob wants a Singer !!!

Posted by: whatabout1 Jan 13 2017, 08:51 PM

What can I say





Love the mirrors. Yea a Singer 914 would be bad.

Let's find out. Power Ball. Power Ball. Power Ball........

Posted by: mgp4591 Jan 13 2017, 08:52 PM

I think the 914 re-imagination is limited by the chassis being basically the same for all years. The 964 with the redesigned suspension is primarily used for the incarnations of Singers hot rods which is a great starting point because the car doesn't try to kill you as much on decreasing radius, off camber corner. I'll take my mid engined, light weight, cheapo build with good power and great stock handling over, well, something I'll never be able to afford anyway!

Posted by: whatabout1 Jan 13 2017, 09:09 PM

For a half million they can fix that. It would still look 914 ...
The current Singer still looks 911... but is nothing close.

All it takes is $$$,$$$.00 Who says it has to be 914 original.
Some nice mid engine Porsches recently.

Posted by: rgalla9146 Jan 15 2017, 08:53 AM

....THAT Singer could easily be overlooked in a mall parking lot.
Many 914s built here are far more extroverted...... and have greater 'bang-for-buck'
appeal.

Posted by: Eric_Shea Jan 16 2017, 01:51 PM

I'd be happy to build you one...

$250k down.
$250k at delivery.

Please, no fighting. FIFO basis. Please stay in an orderly line.

Posted by: Chris914n6 Jan 16 2017, 02:04 PM

I think someone put a 914 body on a Boxster chassis already

Posted by: MoveQik Jan 17 2017, 03:24 PM

Missing the point a little bit I think. The guys that pay $500k for a Singer DO also have several other cars. They aren't sitting around trying to decide if a Singer is the best car they can buy with their last half million :-)

Posted by: Larmo63 Jan 17 2017, 10:12 PM

There were several Singer 911s at Luftgekuhlt last year, and they were beautiful. That said, they aren't my cup of tea AT ALL. There were plenty of other cars there that I preferred, by far. Just my opinion, but the Singer cars are a bit over-rated. Somewhat effete. Too fancy.

Would I take one for free? Fuck yes.

Posted by: mgp4591 Jan 18 2017, 12:57 AM

I'll take two.... they're small.

Posted by: carr914 Jan 18 2017, 04:52 AM

I believe that is a RUF CTR3

Posted by: RobW Jan 18 2017, 06:09 AM

I'd love to see an AWD 914.

Posted by: AZBanks Jan 18 2017, 07:00 AM

Give me $400,000 and I'll build you one you can see everyday in your own garage.

Posted by: My 914 Feb 26 2017, 03:10 PM

In addition to the article about a beautiful 914-6 conversion in this month's Panorama magazine, there is also a nice piece about a Singer 911 that participated in a rally in Idaho last year.