‘You can have 10 cars, money not an object. What are you?’ That was the question Autocars Matt Prior asked his Twitter followers a few months ago. Scroll through 714 responses and nominations for the McLaren F1, Ferrari F40, Honda NSX, and Land Rover Defender. By far the most popular car, however, is the Porsche 911.
The problem – and it is very much a #firstworld problem – is which Porsche 911 to choose. Maybe a clean and pretty 2.0 from the early 1960s? Or a Carrera 2.7 RS, the original racing sport with its legendary duck tail? Maybe you prefer the widowmaker 930 Turbo, the terrifying 993 GT2, the limited edition 911R or a brand new 992 GT3? After 58 years of continuous production, the world’s greatest sports car offers an embarrassment of wealth.
Me? I would like something that combines the classic look, air-cooled character, and modest footprint of earlier 911s with modern street manners and reliability. I also want a car that I can drive every day. Even if I had nine others to choose from. It turned out that I would like something like the Porsche 911 from Theon Design.
Owned a Porsche
(Theon Design)
Theon Design is based in the so-called “Motorsport Valley” near Silverstone, an area that is rich in Formula 1 suppliers and technical know-how.
Co-founder Adam Hawley is a seasoned auto designer who has honed his craft at Jaguar, Lotus, BMW and Lexus. He’s also a lifelong Porsche obsessive who turned his passion into a business after building his own Restomod 911.
The leather-covered engine compartment of the Theon 911 is a show car special.
The air-cooled motor is sheathed in carbon fiber, and HT cables are routed underneath for a cleaner look.
The electric power steering and the AC pumps were relocated to the “Frunk” for better weight distribution (43:57). pic.twitter.com/t4UpSYh9gt
– Tim Pitt (@ timpitt100) March 18, 2021
“It was a 1979 SC with the engine of a 993 Supercup racer,” he recalls. “Every time I parked or filled up with fuel, people would stop and ask me.”
In his office above the workshop, Adam still has the die-cast 930 Turbo that he played with as a child. “It was the only toy car that I didn’t smash,” he laughs. “Now I can play with the real thing.”
Refine, not reinvent
(Theon Design)
Theon Design only produces three cars a year, a process that takes approximately 18 months and each one is unique. Despite this empty canvas approach, Adam says that they keep their essential “porscheness”. Theon’s mission is to “refine the classic 911, not reinvent it”.
Each project begins as a 911 from the time 964 (1989-1993) that Adam can procure for you if required. The body is slimmed down using 3D construction software and converted from steel or carbon fiber to ensure perfect symmetry. Engine options range from standard 3.6 liter 285 hp to 4.0 hp with an RS crank.
The car I want to drive here, named “Hong Kong 002” after the location of its future owner, has steel panels, carbon bumpers and a 371 hp 3.8 flat-six. With only 1,248 kg to shift gears, that should be enough.
Porsches of the past
(Theon Design)
Adam says he is “fixated on details” and a stroll through his latest creation leaves no doubt. The panel spacing is perfect, the khaki green paint is shiny and the car’s posture – lowered onto the KW Variant 3 chassis with deeply curved Fuchs alloys – looks just right.
Porsche freaks can also play a game of spot-the-influence. The electric bullet mirrors are inspired by the 991 Speedster, the ducktail spoiler riffs of the 2.7 RS and the quad tailpipes are a hat tip for the 930.
The overall picture, however, is quite subtle: a classic 911 with a long hood and a touch of modern muscle. In theory, you could go for Flip Paint and a double-deck rear wing, but Adam could try to dissuade you from that.
Retro meets modern
(Theon Design)
Inside you will find more surprise and amusement functions. Plastic switches are made from tactile aluminum, while the dashboard and Recaro seats are covered in beautifully woven leather. The original DIN radio is designed for a charger for cell phones and Bluetooth speakers.
Here, too, there are respectful allusions to Porsche’s past. The armrests are similar to those on the 356, and the sculpted rear seats are inspired by the 928. The recessed green displays and a Nardi steering wheel were also features of the pre-1974 911.
At its core, however, it’s still a 964 with an upright windshield, thin roof pillars, and whimsical floor-hinge pedals. If I turn the key and the engine loudly brings it to life, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The joy of Flat-Six
(Theon Design)
You can keep your 2,000 horsepower electric hypercars – and indeed your new two-turbo supercars. Give me the linear response and intensity of a naturally aspirated gasoline engine each time.
The 911 breathes through individual AT Power throttle valves and drives the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission from a 993. Alternatively, you can start with a Carrera 4 and have an all-wheel drive version.
A few more from Theon Design 911.
The interior has all carbon panels, Recaros, Nardi wheel, bluetooth audio system and bespoke woven leather.
Also many retro Porsche geek details – e.g. B. Recessed lights reminiscent of cars from before 1974. pic.twitter.com/YzYVMkpFr7
– Tim Pitt (@ timpitt100) March 18, 2021
Smooth and flexible – maximum torque is 300 lb ft – the Flat-Six is perfect at low speeds. Still, it longs to fill its lungs and wring more revolutions. On a quiet A-road near Theon Design headquarters, it breathed in the asphalt without taking a break.
The sound is nothing short of epic: a guttural induction roar that rips the air as it develops into a crescendo at 6,900 rpm. Then Adam turns the former fog light switch, the exhaust covers close and everything is quiet again. Phew
Find a better balance
(Theon Design)
The old Porsche 911s are famous for their “challenging” handling – especially thanks to the engine behind the rear axle. Theon cleverly mitigated this effect by using lightweight parts and relocating the air conditioning and power steering pumps to the front trunk. The front: rear weight distribution of 43:57 is a huge improvement over a standard 964.
Behind the steering wheel it feels less like a Trad 911, but better balanced and therefore more usable. The car eagerly turns and holds its line with unwavering focus and great grip. Obviously, the lack of electronic stability systems of the 2021 specification is missing in the back of my mind, but this Porsche doesn’t feel intimidating until I remember how much it costs. We’ll come back to that in a moment.
When I have problems, the chassis is pretty firm and unforgiving – especially when driving around town. I would be tempted to loosen the coilovers a little and put in softer seats. I want to drive this car every day, do you remember? If only.
One for the list
(Theon Design)
Of course there are also other Porsche restomods, not least the 911 Reimagined by Singer. Although Theon Design has a similar aesthetic and equally flawless finish, it starts at £ 300,000 – roughly half the price of the California car.
If you live in the UK you can also visit the Oxfordshire garage, meet Adam and see your car being built. An important consideration when every detail, from the paint color to the leather upholstery around the fuel filter, is bespoke.
One for the dream garage? Absolutely. This is a car that meets all of my criteria. Not that I wouldn’t put a few other 911s in my top 10, you know? A 3.0 RSR or a SC RS? A 964 Turbo 3.6 or a 997 GT3 RS 4.0? Nobody said it was easy …
Tim Pitt writes for Motoring Research
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