TO BACKDATE OR NOT BACKDATE
As an object a Singer-restored 911 is unquestionably a gorgeous thing. And just as brilliant to drive as the looks would suggest. Had I the money would I put it into backdating a 964 though?
I’m conflicted. Every generation of Porsche 911 has its own identity, context and appeal inextricably tied to the era in which it was built. They’re not perfect – far from it in some cases – but to my mind that’s what makes them interesting. The quest to reimagine the ‘perfect’ 911 is at the heart of Singer’s restoration work. And the result is arguably as close to that as anyone has yet managed. But is that something we should be aiming for?
If there’s a problem it’s not with Singer’s vision but with anyone else attempting the same thing. The benchmark has now been set and unless you’re putting half a million in there’s a danger it looks like a second-rate pastiche, either of Singer’s work or the historic 911s such backdates seek to celebrate.
In defence, both the Dorset commission and a rather lovely Autofarm 911SC backdate I once drove were based on cars deserving a second chance. The former was a worn-out, unfashionable 964 Carrera Tiptronic, the latter a heavily crashed SC. Neither a tragic loss to the pool of ‘good’ original cars, you could argue. And maybe I should stop being hung up on originality and adopt a more Californian approach to customisation, Stateside owners less precious about exploiting the amazing interchangeability of parts to mix and match between the various generations of air-cooled 911.
My money no object build? I’d be happy with a car that looked true to its period but with Singer style attention to the details. Meaning a similarly fastidious – and expensive – approach to ‘blueprinting’ everything from the engine and suspension to the pedal box and switchgear. Quality dampers. Perfectly set-up brakes. All squeaks and rattles dealt with. Made to drive as it should but look as it did. The same would apply whether I was starting with an impact bumper 2.7, an SC, a 3.2 or a 964 Carrera. Saying that, if I was starting with a Tiptronic the temptation to go full backdate might yet get the better of me! Italians go for a cheeky lap time. Neither was especially going for it, leaving the sight and sound of an Ultraviolet GT3 RS with Manthey Racing stickers the most stirring Porsche-themed sight. Whatever it was up to the driver was clearly pushing hard and having a lot of fun in the process, the searing howl of a high-revving, naturally aspirated flat-six audible through the trees some time before the car appeared and a blessed contrast to the flat-sounding turbos.