First UK-commissioned Theon 911 a real corker
GBR001 gets almost 400hp, a new six-speed manual - and a colour that celebrates McQueen
Yes, another restomodded Porsche - if it’s not the new ones, then it’s the old ones being brought back to way better than new. But it’s a little different this time around. You’re most likely familiar with Theon Design’s 964s by now, but this particular car is special; not only is it the first UK commission for the company, it also introduces some new features not seen on any previous builds.
GBR001, as this 964 is now known, has been painted Slate Grey - a nod to the 911 S used by Steve McQueen in Le Mans. With some visual carbon accents and what Theon is calling ‘warm chrome’ brightwork, it looks… well, it looks as superb as so many backdated 911s do, pretty and delicate in places yet also with modern muscle and attitude. There’s a reason why rear-engined Porsches continue to get this kind of treatment, and the style must be a huge part of that.
Of course, there’s plenty more to a proper Porsche restomod than just a set of Fuchs and a ducktail; rest assured GBR001 features a spec just as mouthwatering as the other Theon commissions. In fact, this one gets the highest specific output of any build so far, with a new ignition system raising power to 395hp from 3.8 litres. That’s delivered at 7,350rpm, which ought to sound spectacular snorting through Jenvey throttle bodies. Torque is rated at 290lb ft at 6,000rpm, so it’s going to need some revs alright. But thanks to the all-carbon bodywork, GBR001 is said to weigh just 1,163kg brimmed full of fluids - so it’s going to be fast as well.
Interestingly, this Theon gets a new Hewland six-speed gearbox, whereas previous cars had Porsche hardware. That said, the team are promising ‘distinctly Porsche shifts, rendered even more immediate and direct thanks to an RS gear shifter.’ Much of the rest of the package will be familiar: TracTive dampers, Wavetrac LSD, Michelin tyres and so on.
GBR001 also stands out for its interior, with the introduction of ‘Phantom’ leather for the sills and the transmission tunnel, plus the latest ‘Aluminium Interior Pack’, redoing all those plastic Porsche switches in cast metal. Theon says every touchpoint has been given a ‘warm satin finish’ to match the similar effect seen outside, for some idea of the attention to detail. This car has been built with fast road touring as the focus, best exemplified by the seats: they’re Recaros with harness cut-outs, but they come upholstered in woven leather and body-coloured trim. As is often the way with these things, it looks a pretty lovely place to spend time, albeit with that windscreen - of course - ever so close indeed.
Theon Design Co-Founder Adam Hawley said of the new car: “It is thrilling to unveil our first British commission, GBR001, to the world… Like all previous builds, it has been purposefully crafted to integrate enthralling air-cooled 911 charm with modern and focused dynamics; all encompassed by timeless design and our usual obsessive attention to detail.” Which doesn’t sound like a bad sports car now, does it. Those interested in a commission now will have to wait 18 months for a car, with prices starting at £380,000. Assuming, that is, there are any non-restomodded 964s left to buy…
They've set the benchmark for the 964-based restomod and it's hard to disagree that the original Singer (ie. not the more recent DLS, Turbo etc) is proportionately perfect, whereas all of the other brand offerings I've seen so far (I don't want to call them 'copycats' as nobody has an exclusive right to restomodding / backdating 911's) never seem to capture it 100%, whether that's simply because they can't quite match Singer's design, or because they have to be seen to do something slightly different to ensure they don't get that 'copycat' label, I don't know..
This car is probably less than half the price of a Singer, so it has that going for it, but even so..
Another PH article looking on in wonderment at another bit of metal costing many, many multiples of the average UK earnings.
Is it really an achievement or anything of note when these ph trouser rubbing articles cost more than most houses/mansions?
Still, at least we know where those 25%+ annual salary increases and even bigger bonuses, which definitely aren't a problem (those rubber dinghies are), are going.
Help the rich and do wipe down the steam marks from your faces up against the window as the vast majority stare on at an inanimate object they ain't ever going to own
I do like it but for my imaginary £400k I’d have different headlights, different seats (have seen much nicer touring style by others) and not slate grey.
Slate grey - or should it be slave grey - has been so overdone by people claiming inspiration from Steve Mc / Harvey Mushman.
Another PH article looking on in wonderment at another bit of metal costing many, many multiples of the average UK earnings.
Is it really an achievement or anything of note when these ph trouser rubbing articles cost more than most houses/mansions?
Still, at least we know where those 25%+ annual salary increases and even bigger bonuses, which definitely aren't a problem (those rubber dinghies are), are going.
Help the rich and do wipe down the steam marks from your faces up against the window as the vast majority stare on at an inanimate object they ain't ever going to own
Another PH article looking on in wonderment at another bit of metal costing many, many multiples of the average UK earnings.
Is it really an achievement or anything of note when these ph trouser rubbing articles cost more than most houses/mansions?
Still, at least we know where those 25%+ annual salary increases and even bigger bonuses, which definitely aren't a problem (those rubber dinghies are), are going.
Help the rich and do wipe down the steam marks from your faces up against the window as the vast majority stare on at an inanimate object they ain't ever going to own
Another PH article looking on in wonderment at another bit of metal costing many, many multiples of the average UK earnings.
Is it really an achievement or anything of note when these ph trouser rubbing articles cost more than most houses/mansions?
Still, at least we know where those 25%+ annual salary increases and even bigger bonuses, which definitely aren't a problem (those rubber dinghies are), are going.
Help the rich and do wipe down the steam marks from your faces up against the window as the vast majority stare on at an inanimate object they ain't ever going to own
Some people have more money - no big deal and many work incredibly hard for what they have. Good luck to them.
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