Theon Design specializes in restomods based on the 964-generation Porsche 911, and its latest, one of only six that will be built this year, is a brilliant blend of old-school restraint and modern enhancement. With a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated air-cooled flat-six developing 421 horsepower and a carbon fiber body contributing to a wet weight of 2,526 lbs (excluding the steel doors, retained for an old-school feel), Theon’s latest commission has a power-to-weight ratio better than a contemporary 992.2 911 GT3. But keeping weight down isn’t the only way to extract more performance from an old Porsche.
Theon Design’s 964-Based Restomod Has All the Right Toys to Keep Driving Fun
As you’d expect, a six-speed manual transmission delivers those 421 ponies (and 324 lb-ft of torque) to the rear wheels, while TracTive semi-active suspension with five settings keeps the rubber planted on the road. Notably, these settings, and those pertaining to engine response and steering feel, were calibrated to the specific requirements of the customer, so the car drives exactly as they like. And don’t fret over the low stance – Theon has generously included a nose-lift system. The brains of the car lie in a MoTeC ECU and Power Distribution Module, with the six carbon-infused intake trumpets opened by a drive-by-wire throttle body. This allows for numerous drive modes, including Town for relaxed driving and Race for more spirited motoring. There’s also a weirdly spelled ‘Raucus’ mode, which unlocks full power, raises the spoiler, and opens the exhaust, sending pops and bangs through the system.
Theon Custom Builds Each Car to Customer Specifications
Designed in parallel with the commissioning buyer, this 964 restomod’s carbon fiber body has been finished in Crayon Grey with Lizard Green accents and brushed Eclipse brightwork. Although there’s no forced induction here, Theon has also added a ‘Turbonite’ Porsche crest to the hood, complementing the smoked front and rear light clusters. 17-inch wheels in Anthracite and Black hide RS brake calipers in Lizard Green, and a similar color scheme appears inside. Carbon fiber panels are trimmed in Liquorice leather and Lizard Green stitching, and the Recaro bucket seats give the old-school interior a touch of modernity. Custom aluminum footboards add contrast, as do machined door handles, vents, and dashboard inserts. Theon also creates custom gauges with colors matching the exterior, and just as is the case with the rest of the car, modern technology has been subtly integrated to make this usable every day, with the carbon fiber center console featuring a wireless charging pad and phone extension. A contemporary infotainment screen would be out of place, so an original Becker Mexico head unit sits in the dash, feeding a Hertz amplifier that powers six Focal speakers.
With each build taking over 6,000 hours, it’s no surprise that Theon only lets six customers take delivery every year, and it’s even less of a surprise that this costs a rather large chunk of change: £430,000 excluding the donor car, shipping, and taxes. That’s over $577,000, and you still need to provide a 964, which usually costs between $90,000 and $150,000, depending on condition and spec. In other words, if this kind of creation has stolen your heart, you need around $700k in loose change and a lot of patience.
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