Louis Vuitton and Singer Reimagine Two Porsche 911s With Extraordinary Attention to Detail

Louis Vuitton and Singer Vehicle Design have joined forces for an unprecedented collaboration centred around two highly personalized Porsche 911s. Revealed during Monterey Car Week, the project combines Singer’s expertise in restoring air-cooled Porsche 911s with Louis Vuitton’s traditions in leatherwork, luggage, watchmaking and travel.

• Two Type 964 Porsche 911s were reimagined: a naturally aspirated Classic Coupé and a twin-turbocharged Classic Turbo Cabriolet.
• The collaboration extends far beyond colours and logos, incorporating bespoke leatherwork, metal components, wood, watchmaking-inspired instrumentation, luggage and travel accessories.
• The project began with the development of a dashboard clock before evolving into a comprehensive collaboration involving virtually every aspect of both cars.

From a Dashboard Clock to Two Complete Cars

The collaboration began with a relatively focused request. La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton in Switzerland was asked to create a dashboard clock for a Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer. From there, the two companies began exploring how Louis Vuitton’s expertise could be incorporated more extensively into the vehicle.

The project eventually expanded to instrumentation, controls, upholstery, luggage and numerous functional components.

For the first car, the detachable mechanical timepiece takes inspiration from Louis Vuitton’s Tambour watch. Twelve polished and engraved letters spelling Louis Vuitton surround its bezel, and the clock can be removed from the vehicle and transformed into a desk clock.

The speedometer, tachometer and auxiliary gauges were also redesigned. Their hands, dial terminations and indexes incorporate elements associated with the Tambour collection, while cobalt blue faces are contrasted by orange lettering.

The Saffron Classic

The first car is a Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer – Classic based on a Type 964 coupé.

As with Singer’s other Classic restorations, the original Porsche is stripped down to its steel monocoque before being inspected, strengthened and prepared for restoration. Lightweight carbon-fibre bodywork is then fitted.

The Louis Vuitton car is finished in Saffron, a colour with a long history within the French House. It is complemented by Silver Rhodium brightwork and subtle exterior detailing rather than prominent branding.

A speed-activated rear wing preserves the familiar profile when retracted. Seventeen-inch Fuchs-style wheels are paired with 225-section front and 265-section rear tires. For display, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires were even finished in Cobalt Blue. Carbon-ceramic brakes sit behind the wheels.

Power comes from a naturally aspirated, air-cooled 4.0-litre flat-six producing up to 390 horsepower. It revs to 7,500 rpm and sends power exclusively to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.

Louis Vuitton Craftsmanship Inside

The cabin demonstrates how extensively Louis Vuitton became involved.

Natural-coloured leather inspired by Louis Vuitton’s VVT leather covers much of the interior. Traditionally associated with the House’s luggage, the material is complemented by contrasting yellow stitching.

The edges of the door handles use an edge-dyeing technique derived from Louis Vuitton leather goods, while diamond-pattern embossing on the seats references the malletage traditionally found inside Louis Vuitton trunks. The same motif extends into the front luggage compartment and rear engine compartment.

Even the ventilation eyelets in the carbon-fibre seats have been individually crafted in the shape of Louis Vuitton Monogram flowers. Related motifs appear on the sun visors and headrests.

Singer and Louis Vuitton also replaced many conventional plastic fittings with metal components. Adjustment knobs, switches, locks, pull-tabs and air vents are handcrafted and predominantly rhodium-plated. Polished, satin-finished, anodized and electroplated surfaces employ techniques closely associated with watchmaking.

Attention extends into the engine compartment, while the fuel and oil caps incorporate typography related to Louis Vuitton watch components.

Luggage Designed Specifically for the Porsche

Louis Vuitton also developed luggage and travel accessories around the dimensions of the 911.

Two bags were designed to fit together inside the front luggage compartment, while a 1950s-inspired helmet bag accommodates a bespoke carbon- and glass-fibre driving helmet trimmed in calfskin.

A Bisten suitcase references Louis Vuitton luggage dating to the late 19th century, while a Keepall provides space for approximately a week’s wardrobe. Even the vehicle keys receive dedicated accessories, including a six-key folder and cloche-style key holder.

The Classic also receives a specially designed roof rack capable of carrying luggage, skis or a surfboard. The accompanying Louis Vuitton surfboard combines blond oak and walnut in Monogram marquetry, while the skis are manufactured in the French Alps using wood, titanal and steel.

Nicolas Ghesquière’s Classic Turbo Cabriolet

The second Porsche takes a dramatically different direction.

Developed with Nicolas Ghesquière, Louis Vuitton’s Artistic Director of Women’s Collections, the Classic Turbo Cabriolet combines automotive and nautical influences.

Its carbon-fibre bodywork is finished in Calcaire Lutétien, a pale shade inspired by the limestone associated with Parisian architecture. Natural leather, extensive woodwork and gold accents provide contrast.

The car uses a fixed whale-tail spoiler, while its 18-inch Fuchs-style wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires measuring 245 at the front and 295 at the rear. Carbon-ceramic brakes are again fitted.

Its air-cooled 3.8-litre flat-six receives twin turbochargers with variable turbine geometry and air-to-water intercooling. Output reaches up to 510 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual sends power to the rear wheels.

Woodwork Inspired by Classic Motorboats

The Turbo Cabriolet’s defining characteristic is its extensive use of wood.

Bespoke wooden components are incorporated into areas as unusual as the bumpers. At the rear, opening the luggage compartment reveals a teak-inspired wooden deck reminiscent of a classic motorboat.

That nautical theme continues inside with wooden flooring, extensive wood trim and carbon-fibre seats featuring wooden backs. Wood panelling is also incorporated into the front luggage compartment and rear engine area.

The front compartment contains a bespoke Louis Vuitton trunk composed of three interlocking cases that can also be removed and used individually.

Natural leather covers much of the cabin, while gold detailing is used almost like jewellery.

The instruments combine warm gold accents with dials matching the Calcaire Lutétien exterior. A removable clock occupies the centre of the dashboard, while the ignition key receives a corresponding gold finish.

One of the most unusual details is the gearshift treatment. Its leather trim takes inspiration from Louis Vuitton’s Noé bag and incorporates a natural-leather drawstring.

Two Different Interpretations of the Art of Travel

Both cars are accompanied by dedicated Louis Vuitton capsule collections.

The Classic’s collection follows its saffron, cobalt and yellow palette and includes driving clothing, shoes, gloves and a bespoke helmet. The Classic Turbo receives a separate wardrobe inspired by its white, natural wood and gold colour scheme, including a made-to-measure parachute-silk suit, driving gloves, footwear, sunglasses and helmet.

The prices of the vehicles have not been announced, but it is reasonable to assume that we are talking about several million dollars. Another question remains: were these cars commissioned by collectors, and do they already have owners? It would be easy to imagine Louis Vuitton retaining the vehicles for promotional purposes.

We have seen numerous collaborations between automakers and fashion designers over the years, but rarely, if ever, at this level. These are genuine works of art, sitting at the crossroads of the automobile and haute couture.