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While the 911 is today a successful model in Porsche’s range, there was a time in the 1970s when it seemed that it should be retired. Sales began to show decline when the decade started and there was a need for the company to launch an all-new model more oriented towards a grand tourer concept.

A project team came up with a proposal that was truly a clean sheet design, unlike the 911 which could trace its roots all the way back to the Volkswagen Beetle. The new design, which would become the 928, would be Porsche’s first production model with a V8 engine (also its first 8-cylinder engine) and it would also be its only coupe having a V8 engine installed ahead of the driver.

Original 928

The model went on sale in 1977 and would remain in product for the next 18 years. It evolved during the period to become more powerful, with engine displacements that reached 5.4 litres. Just over 61,000 units were sold worldwide between 1977 and 1995 and then Porsche decided to discontinue the model. Economic reasons were given for this move which could well have been partly due to the fact that the 928 did not share parts with other models. Instead, the 911 got a new lease of life and more attention, propelling it to greater prominence in Porsche’s identity.

It is still a sought-after model today and well-kept examples can fetch good prices. Now there is also a way to own a brand new 928 as French company Nardone Automotive is building its own interpretation of the sportscar.

2024 Porsche 928 restomod by Nardone Automotive

The company’s founder, Thierry Nardone, has long had a passion for the Porsches with a transaxle – which was a feature of the 928. He admired the car for its elegance and timeless style and decided that he would bring it back.

Over the past 3 years, Nardone and his team along with various specialists, has been developing the 928 as a ‘restomod’. The platform is that of a 928 S4 and onto it is placed new bodywork composed entirely of composite materials. The original 928 was one of the early cars to use aluminium on a number of body panels for weight reduction.

2024 Porsche 928 restomod by Nardone Automotive
The headlights of the Nardone 928 have been modernised but still pop up when needed, just like the original ones (shown in the inset).

While it is recognisable as a 928, there are also certain elements that Nardone has altered. One of these is the headlights which, on the original car, were teardrop-shaped units that flipped up about 45 degrees when in use. The Nardone car also has pop-up headlights but they are LED units with better illuminating power. The rear lights have also been restyled with a full-width light bar.

2024 Porsche 928 restomod by Nardone Automotive

There were various wheel options for the 928 though the common one was 16 inches with a ‘manhole’ sort of design. Nardone fits newly designed forged 18-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres that are surely a lot better than whatever the original car came with.

The engine is the same V8 with a modern ECU and tuned to deliver up to 400 bhp. That’s about 50 bhp more than the most powerful production 928 sold. The engine is mated to an original 5-speed manual gearbox which has been modified to a 6-speeder. A limited-slip differential is also added.

The chassis setup has a redesigned front and rear axle and spindle, active controlled electronic suspension, increased brakes and adaptive electric power steering.

2024 Porsche 928 restomod by Nardone Automotive

2024 Porsche 928 restomod by Nardone Automotive

2024 Porsche 928 restomod by Nardone Automotive

The interior has been completely revised and raises the level of luxury with Foglizzo leather and Alcantara. The infotainment area incorporates the Porsche Classic Management system (PCCM) combined with a high-end audio system and Apple CarPlay.

While Nardone has not indicated how much the car will cost, it is known that the production number will be small. It will be taking orders during the next year and a half and then start building cars for delivery in 2024.

2024 Porsche 928 restomod by Nardone Automotive

Many companies are participating in the Platinum Jubilee (70 years) of Queen Elizabeth II, the British monarch, and among them is Jaguar, a very British brand. For this very special occasion, the carmaker provided 15 of its cars in the Platinum Jubilee Pageant recently, including a one-of-a-kind 1965 Series 1 E-type Roadster.

The unique E-type, which made its debut alongside a selection of historically important Jaguar E-types, was commissioned by a customer who had specific requirements. He wanted a Roadster manufactured in the year he was born and finished to a bespoke specification.

1965 Jaguar E-Type restored

The team at Jaguar Classic set to work and tracked down a Series 1 E-type that was built just 2 days after the customer’s date of birth. Over the following 12 months, the car underwent a complete rebuild, beginning with the bodywork. Finished in a unique deep metallic blue inspired by the blue of the Union Jack, the new colour was exclusively mixed by the paintshop following numerous consultations and sample creations to craft the perfect hue over several months.

With the body assembly and paintwork complete, the engineering team went to work refitting mechanical elements – including many enhancements. The original 4.2-litre straight-six was replaced by a larger 4.7-litre engine, delivering better performance. It is optimised for road driving and married to Jaguar Classic’s specially developed 5-speed gearbox, giving a smoother, quieter and more refined driving experience.

The uprated suspension ensures the 57-year old chassis can exploit the performance provided by its powertrain, while wider wheels, tyres, and uprated brakes deliver the grip necessary for safe driving at high speeds. A sports exhaust and manifold ensure the E-type’s soundtrack suits its dynamic character.

1965 Jaguar E-Type restored

The bespoke interior features striking leather upholstery finished in a shade of red inspired by iconic British pillarboxes. It was hand-finished using traditional methods at the in-house Jaguar Classic Works trim shop.

Modern technologies include 21st century connectivity provided by the Classic Infotainment system – combining touchscreen controls, satellite navigation and Bluetooth with a period-look that is perfectly in-keeping with the rest of the vehicle. Powerful exterior LED lighting also brings illumination up to modern standards.

1965 Jaguar E-Type restored

Whilst most of the project has bespoke items, certain elements are also available for other E-type owners to purchase and benefit from. These include Jaguar Classic’s specially developed 5-speed gearbox and their Classic Infotainment system. The gearbox was originally unveiled on the E-type 60 Collection. Not only does it give the E-type added usability and comfort, but its installation requires no cutting, and therefore no loss of integrity to the vehicle.

1965 Jaguar E-Type restored

Jaguar Classic specialises in restoration work, bringing old models to their original specification. It has the advantage of being in close contact with the factory and having access to old documents that can help in its work for clients. This bespoke example showcases the full breadth of personalisation available.

Besides the Reborn restorations for both Jaguar and Land Rover, Jaguar Classic has also been building the exclusive New Original continuation cars such as the Jaguar Lightweight E-type, XKSS, D-type, and C-type.

Various Jaguar models taking part in the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in London recently to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years as British monarch.

During the 1950s, as the world recovered from the dark period of World War II, the auto industry went through a revival charged with enthusiasm that had been suppressed for many years. In Europe, the spark of innovation was ignited again and a new generation of sportscars emerged. Among them was the Jaguar XK 120 which made its debut at the 1948 London Motor Show.

The unit displayed was actually more a showcar, a prototype for a new engine, but response from the public to the design was so encouraging and positive that Jaguar founder and Chairman William Lyons decided that it should be used for a production model.

Jaguar XK European by Thornley Kelham

World’s fastest production car in 1948
The aluminium-bodied car was designated ‘120’ which referred to its 120 mph (193 km/h) top speed and which made it the world’s fastest production car at the time it was launched. Just over 12,000 XK 120s were produced between 1948 and 1954, and those that remain today are highly prized possession of collectors and fetch high prices whenever they are put on the market for sale.

Thornley Kelham, a specialist in concours restoration, maintenance, servicing, rally preparation and support of iconic vintage and classic cars, is now reimagining the XK as the first entirely new project in its ‘European’ range of reimagined automotive legends.

Reimagined by McLaren P1 designer
The Jaguar XK European, which builds on the success of their Lancia Aurelia Outlaw, starts with a derelict donor XK as its base. The bespoke programme then transforms the car into ‘European’ specification, featuring an all-alloy lightweight body penned by McLaren P1 designer, Paul Howse, and a full range of performance and comfort upgrades and enhancements.

Jaguar XK European by Thornley Kelham

Most of the work is carried out in-house, together with a small number of trusted and talented partners. The original beautifully aerodynamic lines remain true to the car’s original intentions, echoing the kind of work applied to the E-Type Lightweight.

The first major task was to lower the roofline so that the proportions become more elegant and purposeful. The next was to add some curvature to the sides; all the body sections now have an ‘acceleration’ to them which adds sculpture and muscle but also lightness. The arches are wider both at the front and more significantly at the rear with wider alloy wire wheels filling them out nicely, giving that ‘road racer ‘stance.

Jaguar XK European by Thornley Kelham

The brightwork was also removed and instead a subtle crease was introduced down the bonnet which follows the split screen into the roof and washes out over the roof, which is more smoothly integrated into the overall form, as are the rear arches. At the rear, the tail now sweeps up to create a more teardrop form. The rear lamps are nestled into the bodywork and the headlights have had the chrome bezels removed, cleaning up the appearance.

Original but modernised interior
Inside, a completely redesigned dashboard and interior echo the original but with a dedication to modernizing and improving wherever possible. The dials are kept in a similar layout but are surrounded by a body colour aluminium dashboard rather than a flat slab of walnut. This is enveloped in the finest leather hugging the dials, now positioned slightly higher.

The seating position is a vast improvement over the original, dropping the H-point significantly so that you sit in the car rather than on it and ensuring that the lowered roof doesn’t affect the headroom. The seats themselves, whilst classic in design, offer more support than the original items (bearing in mind that today’s drivers are generally taller). The door design is also more sophisticated and sporting in design, with a slim storage pocket and a completely new door release to not only improve the ergonomics but also the knee clearance for taller drivers.

Purists may be unhappy with the presence of anything electronic, but many customers are likely to want the convenience of power windows and the clarity of electronic gauges. Other modern features are air-conditioning, power steering, Bluetooth connectivity and a number of in-car entertainment options, plus a discreet rollcage.

Improved mechanicals
The Jaguar XK 3.8-litre straight-six engine – which produced between 160 and 220 bhp originally – is thoroughly reengineered, instilling the ‘European’ specification with performance akin to a modern sportscar. The all-alloy engine, with a 5-speed manual transmission, is equipped with direct injection, a bespoke camshaft and rebored cylinders can develop either 300 bhp or 340 bhp, depending on the customer’s requirement.

In its day, the XK 120 was successful on the racetrack and in rallies so it has performance in its DNA. For the 21st century version, the handling has been enhanced with reconfigured suspension all-round, employing double wishbones at the front, coilovers, tuned Bilstein shock absorbers and Eibach springs. It’s a far more modern package than the original car, which featured basic leaf springs on the rear axle. In fact, the rear axle set-up has been completely redesigned, and now incorporates a limited slip differential. Four-piston vented disc brakes provide stopping power for each wheel.

Jaguar XK European by Thornley Kelham

The process of turning an XK into European-specification will take over 5,000 hours, with paintwork alone requiring 800 hours. Development of the first Jaguar XK built to ‘European’ specification is already underway, with the first commission secured. Numbers will be strictly limited, with prices from £550,000 (about RM3.04 million) plus a donor car.

“The Jaguar XK European is, to our eyes, the most beautiful car yet in the restomod sector, backed up with expertise and experience in developing cars that aren’t just perfect in their finish, but thrilling to own and drive,” said Simon Thornley, co-founder of Thornley Kelham. “With our concours-winning restoration heritage and our years of experience in perfecting our bespoke Lancia Aurelia ‘Outlaw’ project, we have developed a team perfectly placed to design and engineer a car that reimagines automotive icons authentically, in intricate detail and with a fastidious attention to quality.”

Jaguar XK European by Thornley Kelham

 

Like many British sportscars of the 1950s, the Austin-Healey 100 has become an iconic model because of its historical significance. Built between 1953 and 1956, it was the first model of the association between Austin and Donald Healey which would last for 20 years. Over 14,600 cars were built and those that are still in existence today are valuable collectors items.

For those who want this piece of British motoring history but cannot acquire one, Caton, a new company specialising in design and creation of ultra-exclusive, highly aspirational luxury products will restore and modernise the model – known as Healey by Caton – as its first creation.

The original Austin-Healey 100 built between 1953 and 1956.

Only 25 units to be hand-built
It will be extremely rare too, with a limited run of 25 hand-built restored cars at the factory in England. Each car will have a unique combination of design and engineering comparable to established carmakers, with traditional craftsmanship techniques.

Taking a forensic yet sympathetic approach, Caton’s designers have introduced a subtle smoothness to the Healey’s instantly recognisable lines, gently amplifying the visual dynamism while fully respecting the engineering and design principles of the original car’s creator.

2022 Healey by Caton

The execution of the cleaner, smoother look has been applied across the entire body, with all seams and beading removed. This is evident in the new front aluminium fenders, which feature a more clamshell-like construction. Despite being built on an English Wheel, using traditional methods, they are entirely free of the beading that ran through the centre of the original items. A new air vent and a finisher have been integrated into the flanks, visually amplifying the diving line that runs along the side of the car.

Refining the design
For the most part, though, Caton has refined, rather than added to the Healey’s body. The rear bumpers are gone, as are the external boot hinges, replaced with new internal hinges running on modern gas struts. The boot handle is deleted too, and the lid is now opened by an internal release mechanism, run by a new, modern Caton key.

“To remain true to the car’s DNA, we asked ourselves: ‘What would Healey have done when building a car in the Fifties if they had the tools and manufacturing techniques that we are in the unique position to have at our disposal today?’” said Darryl Scriven, who directed the design work.

Scriven refers to technology that enables a complete 3D scan of each donor car. A Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine enabled the fabricators to work to tolerances of just 0.2 mm, creating ultra-perfect panel gaps that add to the beautification of the bodyshell. Yet the team also deployed technology that would have been entirely familiar to those building the car in period, such as an English Wheel, which was used to hand-roll the aluminium panels.

2954 cc 4-cylinder engine
The car is powered by a 185 bhp/264 Nm 2954 cc 4-cylinder engine, not far different from the 2660 cc displacement of the original’s powerplant. Based on an original Austin-Healey block, the engine is completely stripped down, fully lightened, balanced, and then refurbished to zero kilometres. It is further enhanced with a full steel crankshaft, upgraded bearing shells, high compression pistons, a race camshaft with more aggressive lobes and roller rockers. Larger Twin H8 carburettors (yes, carburettors!)and gas flow inlets provide enhance throttle response, while a race side-exit exhaust system adds further to aural appeal.

2022 Healey by Caton

The engine, and most of the car’s mechanical components, are the work of the world’s leading Healey specialists J.M.E. Healeys, who have strong historical links with the original Healey company. Jonathan Everard, who founded J.M.E., and his father Harold, actually worked for the Donald Healey Motor Company in earlier years. Today, the company is run by Jonathan’s sons and it is based in Warwick, which was the original home of the Healey company.

The car benefits from a new chassis, strengthened and modified at known weak points – including the addition of new front and rear bulkheads – identified from J.M.E.’s decades of experience in restoring, servicing, and rallying Healeys. Strengthened driveshafts transfer the performance to the road but there are no electronic traction or stability controls to dilute the driving experience. Nor is there ABS, in keeping with the purist driving feel, but all four wheels have disc brakes.

2022 Healey by Caton

Interior modernised with focus on comfort
Inside, the cockpit is totally modernised with a focus on the very best in contemporary and period materials. Interestingly, the original Healey 100s were designed and built for people who were shorter back then and many of today’s drivers may be somewhat cramped. Thanks to a redesign of the transmission tunnel and new 5-speed manual gearbox, there has been a transformation in cabin space. As a result, the Healey by Caton is a highly practical sportscar, offering today’s drivers the feeling of a classic but with comfort as well.

2022 Healey by Caton

2022 Healey by Caton

With production of the Healey by Caton limited to 25 units, the company will be able to liaise with each customer on a highly personal, one-to-one basis. The future owners can visit the factory on a regular basis and besides touring the facilities, they can also watch every stage of their car being built.

Caton will offer the ability to add completely bespoke and personal touches, whether for the car’s paint finish (in any colour imaginable) or choosing from the extensive array of materials and trim suite available for the car’s interior.

2022 Healey by Caton

“No two examples of the Healey by Caton will be the same, but each will be of exceptional beauty and built to the highest possible OEM levels of quality. Each will represent a true reincarnation of the iconic Austin-Healey 100 sportscar utterly fitting for the modern age. Our aim is to deliver an unrivalled, immersive, intoxicating and highly emotional driving experience,” said Tim Strafford, CEO of Caton’s strategic vehicle building partner, Envisage Group.

The pricing with a car included is likely to be in the region of £395,000 (about RM2.2 million) but the official announcement will be made at Salon Prive London on April 21. Production will commence during this quarter of the year.

2022 Healey by Caton

The Porsche 911 which was launched in 1964 remains one of the classic sportscars of all time, with its original concepts maintained (apart from air-cooling) to this day. It is obviously a collector’s item and much sought after and for those who want find one, there’s now an option from California-based Singer Group – the Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer – Turbo Study.

2022 Singer Porsche 911 Turbo Study

First restoration with turbocharging
While Singer has been offering reimagined 911s for the past 13 years, this is the first road-going one with turbocharging. The Turbo Study is a response to requests from owners for restoration services that incorporate turbocharging. More than 70 owners have reserved bespoke restorations enabled by the study.

As with all Singer’s restoration services in collaboration with owners of the 911, the Turbo Study takes the Type 964 generation (produced between 1989 – 1993) of air-cooled cars as its starting point. The study features a new evolution of the ‘Mezger’ air-cooled flat-six. Now in 3.8-litre form, the engine has twin turbochargers with electric wastegates. Bespoke air-to-water intercoolers are mounted inside the intake plenums.

2022 Singer Porsche 911 Turbo Study

The ‘shark fin’ on the rear fender is reimagined as an intake and supplies cold air to the engine bay to optimize combustion and cooling performance. The use of forced induction enables power outputs starting at 450 bhp. The availability of turbocharged torque allows for effortless speed-matching on hilly terrain to flat autobahn, together with deep reserves of overtaking ability. A higher power output may also be specified by the owner, with a more overtly sporting focus provided by a sports exhaust system and appropriate damping characteristics.

AWD or RWD
The study draws on all-wheel-drive experience that has been developed in-house since the first AWD Classic Study restoration, undertaken in 2014. In recent years, this experience has been brought together with research into turbocharging and high-performance ride and damping expertise. Customers can specify rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive for the Turbo Study.

2022 Singer Porsche 911 Turbo Study

An owner may decide to specify the AWD configuration to enhance sure-footed deployment of power and torque in all seasons and surface conditions. The RWD configuration allows owners to pursue an alternative sporting focus, if preferred. In both cases, an optimized 6-speed manual transmission underlines the driver engagement that Singer is renowned for.

Advanced materials for bodywork
A bespoke carbonfibre body maintains the careful balancing of iconic DNA with cutting-edge engineering and material science. While inspired by the turbo cars of the mid-1970s, the bodywork is reimagined to optimize aesthetic and functional performance. As always, the use of carbonfibre allows reduced mass and enhanced stiffness, further sharpening dynamic responses.

2022 Singer Porsche 911 Turbo Study

2022 Singer Porsche 911 Turbo Study

2022 Singer Porsche 911 Turbo Study

The car in Wolf Blue shown in the pictures is actually a customer’s car, customized using the results of the Turbo Study to reflect a personal vision. This owner has pursued a focus on high-performance, luxury grand touring capabilities. The interior has a Malibu Sand theme with Black Forest wood accents.

2022 Singer Porsche 911 Turbo Study

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The iconic Defender may have been retired from the Land Rover line but it is not forgotten. Land Rover Classic is now building 25 Defenders for an exclusive competition later this year. The adventure-ready Defender Works V8 Trophy model to be built is a re-engineered vehicle with a 405 ps 5-litre petrol V8 engine and 8-speed ZF automatic transmission.

There will also be a comprehensively uprated suspension, steering and braking packages. Additional all-terrain kit includes a front winch, multi-point expedition cage, roof rack, underbody protection, A-bar, raised air intake, LED spotlights and mud-terrain tyres.

2021 Land Rover Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy

2021 Land Rover Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy

2021 Land Rover Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy

Two body designs with personalisation
Prices start from £195,000 (about RM1.1 million) and there’s a choice of 90 and 110 Station Wagon body designs available, finished in unique Eastnor Yellow paintwork with Narvik Black details and body-colour heavy-duty steel wheels. The purpose-built vehicles also receive LED headlamps, a Heritage front grille, unique Land Rover Trophy badging and event participation graphics personalised to each customer, including their name and country flags.

Additional all-terrain equipment includes front winch, multi-point expedition cage, roof rack, underbody protection, A-bar, raised air intake, spotlights and mud-terrain tyres

2021 Land Rover Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy

The cabin has full black Windsor leather trim with Recaro sports seats featuring contrasting yellow stitch detailing, plus Land Rover Trophy clock face by Elliot Brown. Land Rover Classic’s own Classic Infotainment System with integrated navigation and mobile device connectivity is also fitted.

Competition at spiritual testing ground of Land Rover
All customers of the limited edition model will be invited to compete in an exclusive 3-day adventure at Eastnor Castle in England. This is the spiritual home of Land Rover testing and development where its vehicles have demonstrated their superior off-road capabilities for decades. It will be the first time the customers will get to drive their vehicles.

With this concept, customers can create their own stories, ‘battle scars’ and patina with their Works V8 Trophy vehicles from day one, fuelling campfire chats with like-minded enthusiasts. Expert one-to-one tuition will also be provided as part of the adventure, giving customers a unique opportunity to develop extreme driving techniques and skills in their own vehicle, before putting their training to the test. Everyone will compete for a range of prizes, including a Grand Prize for the overall winner (to be announced later in 2021).

Jaguar Classic’s Continuation Programme has been gaining popularity since it was started with the D-Type, followed by the XKSS and Lightweight E-type. At the Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works facility in the UK, very limited numbers of these iconic models have been handbuilt for customers.

Now, the C-Type is added to the collection on its 70th anniversary. The C-type, which was originally made between 1951 and 1953, was famed for its exceptionally fluid shape by Jaguar Cars designer, aerodynamicist and artist, Malcolm Sayer.

Of the 53 Jaguar C-types built in the 1950s, 43 were sold to private owners, but the production C-type specification was limited to drum-braked cars with twin SU carburettors and 200 bhp, in the style of the 1951 works cars.

From 1952, the C-type pioneered the adoption of innovative disc brake technology in motorsport, with a revolutionary system developed by Jaguar and Dunlop scoring the first win for a disc-braked car with Stirling Moss at the Reims Grand Prix in France and contesting the 1000-mile Mille Miglia in Italy.

Jaguar Classic 1953 C-Type

The C-type won the gruelling Le Mans 24 Hours on its debut in 1951, scoring the first of Jaguar’s 7 outright wins at the famous French endurance race. The C-type won the Le Mans 24 Hours again in 1953, another first for disc brakes, and also enjoyed success in the hands of private owners, which contributed to Jaguar finishing vice-champion in the inaugural World Sportscar Championship.

Eight new C-type Continuation cars will be built ahead of a racing-inspired celebration event for their owners in 2022. Each car, with disc brakes, will reflect the 1953 Le Mans-winning works team car specification, including 3.4-litre straight-six engine producing 220 bhp with triple Weber 40DCO3 carburettors.

Building on the experience gained with previous Jaguar Classic Continuation programmes for the other three models, Jaguar Classic engineers have consulted Jaguar’s archives and cross-referenced scan data taken from an original C-type in conjunction with the latest computer-aided design technology to create the most authentic new C-type possible.

Jaguar Classic 1953 C-Type

Taking that engineering CAD data a stage further, for the first time ever Jaguar Classic is also able to give customers the opportunity to visualise their C-type Continuation virtually using a specially designed online configurator. This new tool allows users to compare colour and trim options from the 12 authentic exterior colours and eight interior colours available, and apply optional racing roundels, steering wheel badge and bonnet badging.

Exclusive access to original engineering drawings and company records created by the original C-type development team also ensure the authentic 1953 specifications are accurately maintained.

Jaguar Classic 1953 C-Type

Jaguar Classic 1953 C-Type

Additional options available to C-type Continuation customers include an FIA-approved Harness Retention System or rollover protection. Not just for show, these authentic new C-types will be eligible for historic racing, track and closed-road use.

“Driven by some of the most-admired racing drivers in history, the C-type laid the foundations for Jaguar’s success in endurance racing and is synonymous with design and engineering innovation. Seventy years on, Jaguar Classic is proud to be able to utilise the latest innovations in manufacturing technology – alongside traditional skills and unrivalled expertise – to reintroduce this legendary car for a new generation of enthusiasts to enjoy,” said Dan Pink, Director, Jaguar Classic.

Jaguar Classic 1953 C-Type

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At the request of a long-term client, Singer Vehicle Design has looked to a golden era of Porsche rallying in the 1980s, and to automotive heroes including the 911 SC/RS and the legendary 959, to reimagine his air-cooled 911s as World Rally Championship-inspired, all-terrain competition machines.

Singer doesn’t manufacture or sell cars and its main business is to restore and reimagine 1989 to 1994 Porsche 911s, based on the 964 chassis for its clients. Its latest services will enable clients to go off-road racing, with a Porsche 911 modified by Singer for all-terrain use.

Singer Porsche All-terrain Competition Study (ACS)

Two machines commissioned
The All-terrain Competition Study (ACS) undertaken by Singer, in partnership with renowned 911 rally specialist Richard Tuthill, in response to the request from their client for modifications to his air-cooled 911 that would enable the car to compete in off-road racing and to demonstrate extensive all-terrain exploration capabilities.

To highlight the broad repertoire of the ACS, the client has commissioned two machines, one – in Singer’s iconic Parallax White – focused on high-speed desert rallying and a second – in Corsica Red – configured for high-speed, high-grip tarmac events and disciplines.

Porsche 911s prepared by UK-based off-road competition specialist Richard Tuthill have dominated rally events for decades, a recent victory being in the 2019 East African Safari Classic. It was a remarkable 4th win in the gruelling 5000-km event across Kenya and Tanzania. These successes sit alongside deep expertise from the world of WRC competition and events such as the Paris-Dakar.

The Porsche 959 in the Paris-Dakar Rally in 1985 and 1986, finishing 1-2 overall in the second year.

Singer Porsche All-terrain Competition Study (ACS)

Singer Porsche All-terrain Competition Study (ACS)

Reimagining the iconic Porsches
“We’ve taken particular inspiration from the iconic Rothmans-sponsored 911 SC/RSs and 959s that conquered events like the Qatar International Rally and Paris-Dakar in the mid-1980s and, at the request of our client, have reimagined these all-terrain 911’s in their honour while utilizing fresh perspectives and state of the art know-how,” said Rob Dickinson, Founder & Executive Chairman of  Singer Group Inc.

In developing the Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer ACS, Singer engineers gave it off-road competition capability for events such as the Baja 1000 and Dakar Rally. This called for dramatically increased ride height, suspension travel and overall strength to cope with all kinds of terrain.

Singer Porsche All-terrain Competition Study (ACS)

Engineered for the roughest terrain
The specialised long-travel suspension has twin, 5-way adjustable dampers per corner (8 dampers total). Forged aluminium 8×16-inch wheels with BF Goodrich All-Terrain tyres are fitted and behind them are 4-piston, monobloc steel disc brakes with a hydraulic handbrake.

The strength designed into the car’s structure and components is a response to the forces  encountered during high-speed, off-road endurance events and pathfinding.

Singer Porsche All-terrain Competition Study (ACS)

The bodywork has carbonfibre panels not only for their lightness (which offsets the extra weight of the roll-cage) but also quick replacement and easy underbody access. Carbonfibre also allows for curvatures to be formed easily. There is also effective breathing and cooling for the powertrain.

Cabin for off-road racing
Inside, the ACS reflects the demands of off-road racing. FIA specification seats and harnesses sit within a full roll cage. The car is equipped with a race GPS navigation system while both driver and navigator have access to in-seat rehydration systems.

Singer Porsche All-terrain Competition Study (ACS)

Singer Porsche All-terrain Competition Study (ACS)

3.6-litre twin turbo engine
As with all Singer’s restoration services for owners of the  911, the car takes the Type 964 generation of air-cooled cars as its starting point. At the heart of the machine is an evolution of the ‘Mezger’ air-cooled flat-six in 3.6-litre, with twin symmetrical turbochargers and fly-by-wire individual throttle bodies.

Singer Porsche All-terrain Competition Study (ACS)

There is a sequential racing transmission with front, centre and rear limited-slip differentials and permanent AWD. The performance characteristics of the engine can be tuned depending on the demands of competition and the owner.

“We feel confident this machine can appeal to off-roading enthusiasm of all kinds, whether it be in the pursuit of professional competition at the highest level or adventure and exploration. ACS advances Singer’s capabilities in forced-induction, all-wheel drive, off-road ability and dynamic response – all of which will support our ongoing mission. This pursuit of focused competition studies is something you will see more of from us in the future,” said Dickinson.

Singer Porsche All-terrain Competition Study (ACS)

The team at GTO Engineering has created what they believe to be the ultimate interpretation of a legendary Sixties Ferrari. Named the 250 SWB Revival, it is based on the 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione, one of the most successful Ferrari race cars of the period.

Enhanced, improved or rebuilt
GTO Engineering has revived the legend with its modern experience and given it ultimate road and track customisation opportunities. From the chassis to the cockpit, every element of the 250 SWB Revival has been strictly enhanced, improved or rebuilt at the company’s facility in the UK.

Pricing starts at around £850,000 (about RM4.65 million) and each 250 SWB Revival takes between 12 – 18 months to complete, depending on specification.

GTO Engineering 250 SWB Revival

Drawing on extensive knowledge, know-how, historical technical drawings, industry insight and with 200 years’ combined experience working on the Italian sportscars, , the GTO Engineering team has developed the 250 SWB Revival as a more usable, customisable and bespoke variant of the highly collectable original Competition car.

‘The greatest GT car in the world’
Driven in period by the likes of Sir Stirling Moss who hailed it as ‘the greatest GT car in the world’ as it took wins at Le Mans (1960 class win), Tourist Trophy (1960) and Spa GP (1960), it’s today regarded one of the most notable, collectable and appreciating cars of its type. Thus it is rarely seen on the road and only occasionally at historic race meetings.

GTO Engineering 250 SWB Revival

“The 1960 Competition car is the one to have – not only is it the shorter chassis, improving drivability and handling, but it has disc brakes (the 250 SWB was the first to have them on a Ferrari GT car), and an aluminium body rather than steel,” said GTO Engineering Managing Director Mark Lyon.

“But it has one major drawback,” he revealed. “Because it was made in so few numbers, it’s not really a car you can take to the shops or drive on the lock-stops without fearing damaging the body or destroying originality. The 250 SWB Revival is a ‘best of’, based on original drawings and knowledge, with an added usability, driveability and the option to make it as road or race-focused as you’d like.”

Based on 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione
Utilising original drawings, measurements and knowledge, the GTO Engineering 250 SWB Revival uses a hand-built tubular frame underneath a hand-beaten aluminium body. It’s based on the shorter format of the 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione specifications, which is about 20 cm shorter than the 250 GT.

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Built in house, each Columbo V12 engine in the car takes over 300-man hours to produce. The GTO Engineering team can build to 3.0-litre, 3.5-litre and 4.0-litre specification and can offer bespoke displacements according to customer requirements. Each engine is paired with triple carburettors.

The 4-speed or optional 5-speed gearbox was also created with their own internal design package. Designed to be a precise gearchange that works in traffic and at high-speed, for enhanced usability.

Incorporating the disc brake design from period, of which the 250 SWB was the first Ferrari GT car to include disc brakes, there are traditional disc brakes, with optional lighter and more heat-efficient aluminium brake calipers.

GTO Engineering 250 SWB Revival

Road-legal or for racing
Customers can choose to have a road-legal car or in a racing specification. If the latter, then the car will have a full roll-cage, with the option of a competition-inspired gearbox as well as bug screens. Bug screens were used heavily in period at endurance races and rallies to stop bugs smearing on the windscreen and decreasing visibility.

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BHPetrol RON95 Euro4M

We recently wrote about the Volvo P1800, an iconic sports model from the 1960s which also came to be known as ‘The Saint’s Car’. Now Cyan Racing, the reigning triple World Touring Car Champions, has revealed an interpretation of that car – the Volvo P1800 Cyan.

The original P1800 was unveiled in 1960, a year before the Jaguar E-Type, two years before the Ferrari 250 GTO and three years before the Porsche 911. “The Jaguar, the Ferrari and the Porsche are all cars with a continuation,” said Christian Dahl, CEO and founder of Cyan Racing. “That left us with inspiration to create what could have been if we, as a race team, had been there during the Sixties, racing the P1800, and got to design a road version of our race car.”

Volvo P1800 Cyan 2020

What could have been
In the age of autonomous driving, electrification and connectivity, Cyan Racing decided it was time to capture what has been and to make it timeless. “Obviously we could have built an electric Volvo P1800 filled with all the latest technology, comfort and luxury. But that was not what we wanted,” Dahl said. “Amid this paradigm shift, we decided to slow down time and freeze a part of it in our own time capsule. To take the best from the Golden Sixties and combine it with our capabilities of today, keeping a pure yet refined driving experience.”

Tailored to deliver genuine driving pleasure
While creating the P1800 Cyan, the team behind it decided to treat the design and engineering of the sixties with care, moving it forward in a delicate way. They applied their expertise in engine, aero and chassis design to make a car that delivers on the Cyan engineering philosophy in terms of predictability and intuitive driver control.

Volvo P1800 Cyan 2020

But it would also be lightweight and offer the analogue driving experience of the Sixties. “There are no driver aids to distort the driving experience, meaning no stability control, ABS or brake booster,” said Mattias Evensson, Project Manager and Head of Engineering at Cyan Racing.

“The Volvo P1800 Cyan is about clearing away anything disturbing the direct connection between driver, tyres and the road. Our objective has been to keep that undisturbed sensation whilst refining it with the best technology of today,” explained Evensson.

Carbonfibre and steel body
The bodywork has been altered to accommodate a wider track, larger wheels and repositioned greenhouse, among a long list of redesigns. “To put together an interpretation of an iconic design is a challenge. I think we succeeded in merging new technology without losing the character of the original Volvo P1800,” said Ola Granlund, Head of Design at Cyan Racing.

Volvo P1800 Cyan 2020

The P1800 Cyan which started life as one of the units produced in 1964 has been refined and reinforced utilizing high-strength steel and carbonfibre. “The basis for a precise and intuitive driving experience is a solid body structure. Cars from the Sixties are far from ideal when it comes to this due to weak points and steel quality that allow for flex,” said Evensson.

“We have redesigned the structure of the original shape and strengthened weak points in the chassis through triangulation, using high-strength steel and integrated the carbonfibre body with the chassis structure. The carbonfibre is not just a fine shell of separate panels, but rather structural components joined with high-strength adhesive to the steel. All parts of the carbonfibre are adding to the structural rigidity,” he said, adding that the car weighs just 990 kgs (lighter than a Perodua Myvi 1.5).

Volvo P1800 Cyan 2020

Powertrain from racing car
The 2-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is based on the same engine as used in the world title-winning Volvo S60 TC1 race car, producing 420 bhp/455 Nm, with a redline at 7700 rpm. Although the engine is turbocharged, it is developed to deliver a linear power and torque curve with the characteristics of a normally aspirated engine. The engine character is designed to deliver a driving experience as in the Sixties but with increased performance and precision.

Volvo P1800 Cyan 2020

“While evaluating engines for the Volvo P1800 Cyan, we considered a wide range of Volvo engines, including the original B18, the ‘Red Block’ B230, the 5-cylinder ‘White Block’, the short inline 6-cylinder and the 4-cylinder VEA engine that power Volvos of today,” said Evensson.

“The efficient and lightweight VEA (Volvo Engine Architecture) gave us the best base, also allowing us to transfer our experience from the different versions of the VEA that we have designed for our race and performance cars of the past decade,” he said.

“We have adapted it to suit the Volvo P1800 Cyan with the power output increasing through the entire powerband. The power peaks late. It is designed for high revs a lot, with the torque intuitively linear to the pedal. We have learnt from racing where the drivers want perfect control of the torque, increasing precision and driving pleasure at the same time,” Evensson added.

Volvo P1800 Cyan 2020

A 5-speed bespoke Holinger gearbox has been selected to carry the mechanical feeling of the original Volvo P1800, but with greater gear change precision and capability of handling the increased torque. The live rear axle of the original car is replaced with a Cyan-designed independent rear suspension.

A key part to the engaging rear-wheel drive experience is the torque-biasing limited slip differential. The differential is mounted in a Holinger housing with unique gears in order to combine capable performance on a circuit with civilized behaviour for road use.

Pure driver focussed chassis
The fully adjustable front and rear suspension features bespoke lightweight components, including aluminium uprights, double wishbones and two-way adjustable dampers with Cyan hydraulics.

Volvo P1800 Cyan 2020

“The settings of the car are not aimed at fast lap times but rather to deliver an enjoyable and exciting driving experience. I feel my smile widening each time that I control the drift angle of the car through a long turn. The car goes where you point it. You can be brutal going into a corner and still find your apex and exit within millimetres,” said Thed Bjork, development driver and 2017 touring car world champion for Cyan Racing.

The carbonfibre-reinforced chassis is connected to the road with 18-inch forged rims with Pirelli P Zero 235/40 tyres at the front and 265/35 at the rear. Each wheel has 4-piston calipers with 362×32 mm steel discs with a ‘genuine feeling’ as no brake booster or ABS is there to interfere.

Volvo P1800 Cyan 2020

“The Volvo P1800 Cyan is the result of an advanced engineering process, involving many of the same talents who designed, built and developed our world title winning Volvo S60 TC1 Cyan,” said Dahl, adding that pricing and individual specification is available for those who want one.

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