Singer Vehicle Design Brings a Special Porsche to Idaho for a Top Speed Run at Hemingway’S Final Resting Place
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SINGER VEHICLE DESIGN BRINGS A SPECIAL PORSCHE TO IDAHO FOR A TOP SPEED RUN AT HEMINGWAY’S FINAL RESTING PLACE. STORY AND PHOTOS BY RANDY WELLS 58 PANORAMA FEBRUARY 2017 FEBRUARY 2017 PANORAMA 59 During the Sun Valley Road Rally, a 3.2-mile section of zine in 2015. They quoted a top-speed estimate of 176 With its alpine meadows and spruce forests nestled under State Highway 75 is temporarily closed off by the local mph. That turned out to be on the money: Florida’s own- sheriff, making it the longest no-speed-limit public road er achieved a maximum speed of 176.2 mph in sixth gear 9,000-foot peaks and perpetually azure skies, Sun Valley, Idaho in North America with spectator viewing. At the start line, while on the rev limiter at the finish line in Idaho. there’s a subtle, uphill left-hand curve. Then it’s straight The day before the rally, the Sun Valley Auto Club and holds an irresistible allure for those of adventurous spirit. Ernest on and slightly downhill to the fastest speed achievable the town of Ketchum hosted a free-to-the-public Cruise & past the grandstands, one car at a time. Car Show. More than 200 vehicles, including exotics, hot Hemingway first came here in 1939. He instantly fell in love with One of the cars participating in 2016 was a highly rods, muscle cars, and vintage classics, came from miles modified 1990 air-cooled Porsche 911 “reimagined” by around. Also on hand for its debut was another of Singer’s the area and returned to make it his home 20 years later. Today, Singer Vehicle Design of California. The company was modified 911s, this one known as “Norway,” complete in a founded by Rob Dickinson, a former lead singer and color called Pistachio. Dozens of additional Porsches from Sun Valley is widely known for its majestic scenery and recreational guitarist for the ’90s alt-rock group Catherine Wheel, the Silver Sage Region of PCA arrived after their own tour. and takes its name from noted Porsche engineer Nor- In all, 7,500 people gathered in Ketchum, a town with activities. Skiing, biking, trail riding, and golfing, as well as the Sun Valley is the perfect location famous writer’s gravesite, are just some of the attractions. for stretching the legs of a special And on one weekend last July, this isolated valley drew thousands of car. Painted Hemingway Blue, automotive enthusiasts from all over North America. it sports a custom fuel cap and Singer emblem, among several unique features. bert Singer. The car participating in the Sun Valley Road a year-round population of fewer than 3,000. A raffle at Rally is sometimes referred to as “Florida,” due to its the car show saw 1,170 tickets sold, with the lucky win- unique Hemingway Blue color and because the owner ner receiving a 2017 Macan S from Porsche of Boise. calls the Sunshine State his home. Proceeds from the family-friendly rally and raffle went For the rest of the year, the owner, who wishes to to the Drug Coalition of Blaine County, a local program remain anonymous, enjoys a second home near Idaho. that focuses on promoting drug-free and healthy life- Given the 911’s namesake and color specification, the style choices for young people. Singer team thought it would be fitting to transport “In the last two years, the Sun Valley Road Rally has “Florida” from Hemingway’s former residence to his fi- become one of the fastest growing events in town, but nal resting place in Idaho. we didn’t get here alone,” says Dave Stone, founder of the Sun Valley Road Rally and owner of the Sun Valley SUN VALLEY WAS DEEMED the perfect venue to establish Auto Club. “The community has been supportive, with a top speed for this Porsche 911 modified by Singer. An- everyone from restaurants to the Blaine County Sher- other of Singer’s reimagined 911s, with the same 4.0-liter iff’s Department pitching in. We couldn’t do any of this engine and gearing, was tested by Road & Track maga- without them. We live in a very special place.” 60 PANORAMA FEBRUARY 2017 FEBRUARY 2017 PANORAMA 61 Part of what makes this event unique is that it’s a Porsche brakes. It had 17-inch wheels even then. single detail and millimeter,” he states emphatically. “I gines: a 300-hp 3.8-liter, a 350-hp 3.8-liter, or a 390-hp A sports car cabin spectator event, unlike other high-speed time trials. All After having studied car design in the U.K. and work- don’t know anyone else who does this as much as we 4.0-liter. Finally, the suspension and transmission are fit for a king 800 tickets sold out three weeks beforehand. And ing at Lotus, Rob was encouraged by his mentors, Peter do. We are not going to do a halfway version. We’re only upgraded with Öhlins shocks and a Porsche 993 six- requires custom Porsche Cars North America was the title sponsor of the Stevens of McLaren, Julian Thomson of Jaguar, and Si- going to do the very best possible. speed with optional limited-slip differential. Singer can leather bucket event for the second year in a row. mon Cox, now at Infiniti. By 2009, Rob had started his “Our goal is to celebrate Porsche’s heritage using the also do a five-speed and/or 993-type all-wheel drive if seats, great A/C, own business, inspired by several R Gruppe “big block” benefit of modern insights, techniques, and new materi- requested. And that’s before adding custom wheels, in- unique bullet- THE RALLY WAS CONCEIVED in 2009 as a charity speed builds and his own custom 1969 911 restoration. als,” Rob continues. “We restore the finest air-cooled terior finishes, and other appearance items. Even a Tar- shaped mirrors, event among friends, and less than a decade later is a Today, the reimagined 911 Rob first envisioned is a chassis while incorporating the purest 911 bodywork. ga 964 has been restored for owners. aluminum pedals world-class automotive weekend. Arguably, the event’s distilled package that’s a celebration of the best of Then we turn the volume up to 11 on certain aspects. Our “Rob shot probably 100 different colors on metal just and trim, preparation is equaled by the work required to modify a Porsche’s air-cooled cars. As proof, the car referred to goal is for the owner to end up with the ultimate 911.” to get a taste of what the possibilities were,” says the interwoven fabric, Porsche 911 to Singer’s standards. as Florida struck a chord in the hearts of everyone who owner of Florida. “Once we had narrowed it down, my and a tachometer Rob Dickinson revealed his earliest plans for a mod- saw it in Idaho. Ironically, Singer is based in Sun Valley, TO THIS END, Singer strips a 964 to bare metal, changes wife and I spent days selecting the perfect shade of blue. that reads to ified Porsche almost ten years ago. The drawings he California, just north of Los Angeles. the front bulkhead to accommodate a classic long hood, Later, we chose from five different interior swatches laid 11,000 rpm. spread out on a table at R Gruppe’s 2007 Treffen in San There, in a large customized warehouse, 1989-1994 and switches the outer panels to carbon fiber with soft- out on top. Rob named the final exterior color Heming- Luis Obispo were “top secret.” They showed an early Porsche 964s are modified to each individual owner’s ly sculpted RSR-type items from the Aria Group in way Blue because it reminded him of Florida’s waters.” classic 911 reimagined with uniquely widened flares and specific wishes. Each completed restoration is exclu- Irvine. This results in a 300-pound weight loss. Each owner is presented with a physical sheet that modern features, like Hella xenon headlights and later sively driven by Rob’s singular vision. “We sweat every Next, customers are offered a choice of three en- lays out some of the possibilities for chassis dynamics, 62 PANORAMA FEBRUARY 2017 FEBRUARY 2017 PANORAMA 63 transmission gearing, engine cam performance, and var- “There’s no point in changing what works well,” adds ious treatments that can be modified. That’s when the Seamus. “And there’s no advantage in re-engineering real fun begins, as the owner and Rob envision what something when it doesn’t need to be. It’s part of Rob’s might be even more desirable. mantra about our services. We touch everything, but we Even the positions of the blinker and wiper stalks are only change what we think we can improve.” personalized, as well as the special leather-embossed For example, stock Porsche 964 solid lifters are used steering wheel, horn, and light switch. For seating, sev- instead of 993 hydraulics. Brakes are upgraded 993 Tur- eral options are available, and each is custom fitted to bo units with just a few tweaks. A finessed GT3 oil pump the client, right down to thigh and lumbar support. You is employed. The stock 964 oil tank in front of the right can also specify a leather-wrapped roll bar, full cage, or rear wheel is modified for better lubrication. And custom seam welding—or not. oil lines lead to a larger oil cooler in the nose of the car. “It’s kind of Unlike many previous Singer-restored 911s, this one The front pan is pocketed for efficiency, and three fans a guy’s equivalent to has no external oil cap, as requested by the owner.