curve lover

^^ In other words: a seemingly average weekend in car-crazy Cali, to a visitor like me

Felt lucky to be there; this thread's an attempt to "give back" - share what I saw for anyone who wanted to make it out but couldn't.

Let's start with what we all know: I'm just a peon -- there's no explanation for how I've met some of the industry's best through the years, plus the coolest RLers who go out of their way to say hi. I'm also not funny, so excuse misguided attempts at humor in this thread.

We also know the amazing minds at Singer Vehicle Design are rock stars who showcase everything good that's possible from the SoCal car culture.

Last week's CA visit started off with a welcome to swing by...

curve lover

Back-story...
When I've been out to CA, my jalopy's been lucky to be featured in events with 911s by Singer a couple times. Humbled to have met Rob Dickinson & his team.

Rob in 2010:




Singer Senior Builder deep in thought, 2013:




Rob taking it all in, 2014:

curve lover

In this 2012 video, Rob mentions Speedster plans, which may be why during each visit someone usually wants to discuss Speedster design.

Last Friday while many SoCal shops hosted open houses for the LA Lit Show weekend, Singer had a Speedster group study:




"Can't believe somebody took a stock classic & made it into something else..."
"...I know, we would NEVER do anything like that here. Sacrilege!"




Like sharks circling their prey...




...when one finally goes in for the kill:




"Can't stand to watch blood in the water - I'm leaving!"

curve lover

Always with an eye for details + fit & finish, they wanted to see every inch of 'Speedy':




"Hmm. Interior needs something splashy."




"...I know: caffè mocha!"

curve lover

Probably demonstrated my rattle-trap's manual top operations ~10 times during the 3-4 hours there.

[Air-cooled Speedsters are admittedly quirky compared to automatic tops, etc.
The Porsche factory owner's supplement even describes it as an "emergency top." When the initial wave of 1989 Speedster owners complained about it, Porsche AG started requiring buyers to sign a disclaimer release ]

My hosts gave me a break by touring their world-class work in progress ... I was a kid in a candy store!

curve lover

Due to respect for their international customers' personal property (i.e. top-secret works of art in progress), they asked me not to share my shots taken inside the shop.

To "bring you along" here's eye-candy found on the web:

curve lover

More 'de-classified' images

curve lover

Speaking of 'classified' images (above), this thread attempts to minimize faces or personal details throughout.
For example - Day 1's pics & text were pre-approved by my Singer guide.
Regardless, if anyone wants a specific photo removed for privacy reasons, just send a PM.

curve lover

This is 1 of the many working environments where '911 by Singer' brings together top talent, which includes several of our esteemed Rennlisters
...whom I have to thank for even being able to step foot into their 'secret lair'

curve lover

curve lover

I had to leave once they saw me drooling too much on their floors...

...but found more drool-worthy fun outside:
more of their team had arrived from Singer's second campus with another custom Speedster.

I 1st saw George Valerio's white 1973 at last August's PCA Werks Reunion in Monterey, CA:








^^ Pics from the Early 911 S Registry.

curve lover

George's was born as a Targa.
He's putting together a fact sheet; I'll share specifics of all its goodies when I get it.

curve lover

It instantly drew a crowd even BEFORE we realized its impressive engineering.




For example, motors that assist in deploying the custom clamshell / stow the 964 Speedster top:




Sounded like a fine-tuned James Bond spy machine when it started clicking & whirring. Close-up of the prototype control panel...

curve lover

Another secret:
Non-Varioram 3.6 liter 993 engine shoe-horned into the 1973 bay!

curve lover

After the group Speedster design study, we started to make our way to Singer's 2nd shop.



Interesting sights along the way...
"Nothing to see here. Just a 964 on its way to the Aria Group. Please move along; nothing to see."