TWO giants from the worlds of restoration and motorsport — Singer and Red Bull Advanced Technologies — have announced a collaboration to significantly enhance the structural capability of classic Porsche models.
Singer is already well-regarded for producing breathtaking restorations of classic Porsche models — and interestingly, their work has already found its way into the hands of Malaysian owners.
The collaboration focuses on developing an engineering strategy to improve the torsional stiffness of the Porsche 964 Cabriolet and Targa models that undergo Singer’s exclusive Classic Turbo restoration programme.
The Restoration Process and Digital Development
The restoration process begins the moment a Porsche 964 owner hands their car over to Singer. Given that these iconic machines have been on the road for over 30 years, every single unit goes through an extremely meticulous disassembly phase.
Interior components, exterior body panels, and mechanical parts are stripped away entirely — until nothing remains but the original steel monocoque structure.
The bare chassis is then thoroughly cleaned and assessed. This is where Red Bull Advanced Technologies steps in, bringing world-class simulation and structural analysis expertise to the table.
The Porsche 964 chassis is recreated digitally using a combination of scan data and precise manual measurements.
Engineers then apply Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software to calculate the torsional rigidity of the chassis across both open-top and closed-roof configurations.
The FEA model is progressively refined until the predicted stiffness values align with those recorded during physical testing.
Carbon Fibre Reinforcement Innovation
Once the digital model is validated, the engineering team can pinpoint exactly which areas of the open-top structure experience the highest load and stress during dynamic driving.
Armed with that data, 13 bespoke carbon fibre reinforcement structures are designed. Each piece is strategically developed to work within the vehicle’s existing technical packaging without compromising the integrity of the original 964 chassis.
All 13 carbon fibre reinforcements developed by Red Bull Advanced Technologies are bonded directly onto the 964’s monocoque chassis during the restoration process. The result of using these composite materials is a remarkable 175 percent increase in overall chassis stiffness.
That’s not a small number — and the real-world impact is immediately felt through improved handling precision, sharper braking response, and an altogether more refined driving experience.
With this technology, driving the open-top variant now feels on par with a hardtop coupé — which is exactly the point.
Motorsport Engineering Meets the Road
Red Bull Advanced Technologies Technical Director Rob Gray noted that the expertise built through years of motorsport success is now being applied to solve uniquely challenging automotive engineering problems.
The primary objective is simple — deliver coupé-level dynamic performance in an open-top car without adding unnecessary weight in the process.
Singer’s Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Mazen Fawaz explained that choosing Red Bull Advanced Technologies was the natural decision when it comes to meeting the exceptionally high expectations of their clientele.
The use of modern materials and rigorous structural analysis reflects Singer’s unwavering commitment to preserving the soul of a classic car while elevating it with the best technology available today.
Singer’s Classic Turbo service draws inspiration from the original Porsche 911 Turbo of 1974, with owners free to specify their restoration in coupé, cabriolet, or Targa body styles.
