London isn’t any stranger to supercars – and even ultra-rare hypercars. A straightforward stroll through town’s hotspots can sometimes be more thrilling than a complete auto show.
So, once I planned a visit into England’s capital city, I expected nothing lower than what Theon Design brought out for the day.
Air-cooled Porsches are experiencing a renaissance. Restomods have turn out to be so widespread that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, yet making a standout piece requires not only skill but real dedication. Theon Design is rising to the challenge, aiming to construct the final word air-cooled Porsche 911s.
Based in Oxfordshire, this passionate team specialises within the 964 (1989 to 1994) generation of the Porsche 911. Since 2016, Theon has been creating fully bespoke vehicles, customising every detail to suit the owner’s preferences. This commitment was evident within the two unique creations they brought into London.
I discovered myself standing across from the Cartier showroom on Old Bond Street when Theon Design co-owner Adam Thawley and his colleague Thomas arrived. The 2 964s they were driving – one a Signal Yellow 964 Targa and the opposite a Midnight Blue Coupé – looked like they’d just rolled off the factory floor.
Parked together, the Theon 964s brought the busy street to a halt. For a city known for its supercars, it was surprising to see a lot attention focused on two older Porsches.
We frequently categorise people as ‘petrolheads’ or ‘non-petrolheads,’ but that looks like an oversimplification. Everyone becomes a automotive enthusiast when the vehicle is compelling enough. I had a number of minutes to soak within the atmosphere and snap some photos before Adam and Thomas prepared to maneuver on to the following stops of their London tour.
Thomas kindly offered me the passenger seat within the Targa, and I seized the chance.
Sliding into the automotive, I used to be met with an unexpected delight: the inside was each modern and retro at the identical time. I quickly appreciated the absence of screens and haptic buttons. As an alternative, the controls were delightfully old-school – knobs for the heating and pullout switches for the headlights and, most crucially, the exhaust valves. The automotive’s character transformed when those valves were opened and closed.
We drove through Park Lane and past the Dorchester Hotel, where a crowd was admiring a Koenigsegg Regera. As if on cue, all of them turned their heads like meerkats on alert. The sound of two flat-six engines was enough to redirect their attention from the hypercar to Theon’s vintage Porsches.
Our final stop was a quintessential London mews. After we parked, I had the prospect to talk with Adam, who founded Theon Design together with his wife, Lucinda Argy.
As mentioned, Theon’s rebuilt 911s are based on the 964 generation, but the extent of customisation is where they shine. Based on Adam, for those who gathered five of their commissioned automotive and their owners in a single place, you’d immediately recognise the unique match between each automotive and its driver.
Common features of Theon Design builds include lightweight carbon fibre panels throughout, aside from the doors, which retain a solid, original feel. A carbon tub adds chassis rigidity, which is especially helpful for 964 Targas, as they were known to flex greater than the 964 Coupé.
These modifications contribute to a big weight reduction – around 300kg (661lbs) in total. A Coupé weighs around 1,100kg (2,425lbs), while the Targa is available in at about 1,200kg (2,645lbs). Despite the load loss, it’s not all about compromise; interiors are frequently upholstered with roughly 100kg (220lb) of leather!
The engine options range from a 3.6-litre producing 285hp to a 3.8-litre with 370hp and a 4.0-litre that churns out 400hp. Supercharged and turbocharged options are also available. These engines are paired with either a Porsche Getrag G50 5-speed manual or an HSC-200 6-speed gearbox, sending power to the rear wheels. My smooth ride within the Targa was because of the TracTive ACE (Lively Controlled Electronics) fully adjustable suspension, arrange specifically for touring.
The starting prices for Theon’s bespoke 964s are £410,000 (roughly US$516,000) for the Coupé and £430,000 (US$541,000) for the Targa.
The Targa, codenamed GBR-05 because the fifth automotive delivered to the UK, was commissioned by a returning client who already owns a Coupé. Built to touring specifications, the automotive prioritises comfort and luggage capability for long journeys. In contrast, the Coupé, codenamed USA-01 as the primary American delivery, is geared more toward sports performance. Its owner, a racing driver, requested a mode switch with options for city driving, track use, and two distinct sports settings. These bespoke builds, with their custom features, are available at around £600,000 (US$755,000) each.
The automotive world has been inundated with restomods, and it’s not hard to see why. Modern cars often fail to captivate enthusiasts, driving them towards older vehicles. Restomods bridge this gap, offering the reliability and luxury of up to date cars while preserving the timeless charm of classics. While not all restomods are created equal, what Theon Design are constructing are arguably among the absolute best.
I shot a video during my time in London with these two special 964s, and you possibly can check that out by hitting the play button above.
Jathu Thillai
Instagram: jathuthillai
www.jtoncars.uk
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