Singer may have written the opening chapter of the modern Porsche restomod story, but the genre has evolved well beyond a one-brand show. Case in point: Theon Design’s latest take on the 964-generation 911, a car that looks politely classic until you realize it packs a better power-to-weight ratio than a modern GT3 RS. Yes, really.
From a distance, this renewed 964 doesn’t scream for attention. The lines are familiar, the stance restrained, the vibe unmistakably air-cooled 911. Look closer—or better yet, drive it—and you discover that subtlety is just camouflage. Underneath the vintage skin lives a deeply reengineered machine built by Theon Design, a UK-based outfit that’s quietly become one of the most serious players in the restomod game.
The heart of the transformation is a new air-cooled 4.0-liter flat-six, and it’s exactly the kind of engine enthusiasts fantasize about at 2 a.m. It makes 426 horsepower at a heady 7,600 rpm and 439 Nm of torque, thanks in part to independent throttle bodies that promise razor-sharp response. Open engine intakes complete the package, ensuring the soundtrack is as unfiltered as the driving experience. If you believe air-cooled engines should be heard, not muted, Theon is clearly on your side.
Power goes to the rear wheels only—because of course it does—through a six-speed manual gearbox. No paddles, no modes, no apologies. To make sure all that power doesn’t turn into expensive tire smoke, Theon fits specially calibrated TracTive semi-active dampers and brakes borrowed from the 993-generation 911 Carrera RS. The result is a chassis that blends old-school feedback with modern control. Period-correct 17-inch Fuchs wheels fill the arches, wrapped in Michelin rubber that quietly hints this car is meant to be driven hard, not parked under velvet ropes.
The build process itself is obsessive in the best possible way. The donor 964 is stripped to its bones, the chassis reinforced with additional welding, and the steel body panels replaced by lightweight composite parts. Finished in Medium Ivory with contrasting Grand Prix stripes and protected by PPF, the car manages to look both timeless and purpose-built.
All that carbon pays dividends on the scale. Theon’s 964 tips the scales at just 1,150 kilograms, giving it a power-to-weight ratio that eclipses Porsche’s current 911 GT3 RS. That’s an outrageous statistic for something that still looks like it belongs in a 1990s showroom poster.
Inside, the same level of care continues. Carbon-backed Recaro CS seats are trimmed in Tobacco nubuck leather with ivory stitching that mirrors the exterior details. Plastic switchgear is banished, replaced by machined aluminum components that feel substantial and mechanical—exactly how a 911’s controls should feel. The rear seats are gone, swapped for a carbon-fiber storage compartment, while a Focal six-speaker system with an Audison amplifier handles audio duties for the rare moments when you’re not listening to that flat-six howl.
None of this comes cheap. Prices for one-off commissions like this start at £420,000 (about €484,250), and each build takes roughly 18 months. But in the rarefied world of high-end restomods, that price isn’t just for parts or performance—it’s for patience, craftsmanship, and the idea that a classic 911 can still move the goalposts.
Singer may have started the conversation. Theon is making sure it doesn’t end there.
Source: Theon Design
