At an editorial meeting not long ago, the Magneto team tried to name every Porsche 911 restomod we could. It took a while – and I’m almost certain we missed a few. From Singer to Everrati – and plenty in between – the field is remarkably crowded for what is ultimately a niche corner of the car enthusiast world.
Among the first names noted was Theon Design, which has been reimagining Porsche’s 964 since 2019. A bona fide passion project, the UK company was founded by Porsche devotee and former JLR, BMW and Lotus designer Adam Hawley.
Sitting before me is Adam’s latest creation: the GBR006. Finished in Ice Green Metallic, it’s a stunning thing to behold in early autumn sunlight, its classic proportions set off by ghosted stripes and voluptuous arches over deeply dished Fuchs-style alloys.
With so many contenders for the Porsche restomod crown, the GBR006 must be more than mere eye candy to stand out from the crowd – although that particular box has been well and truly ticked. Everywhere you look there’s obsessive attention to detail, from the Porsche emblem embossed into the bonnet to the brake light concealed in the rear screen surround.
Even the parts the client will never see – bolts, brackets, sound insulation – have been carefully chosen to be as high quality and aesthetically pleasing as possible. It’s no surprise these cars take in excess of 6000 hours to build.
The sublime show-car presentation conceals potent performance. The entire body – except for the doors – is made from carbonfibre, which sheds 100kg from the kerbweight and, paired with a seam-welded chassis, boosts structural rigidity.
This convergence of engineering and art continues when you open the engine lid. Jenvey ITBs rise from the 3.8-litre flat-six’s cylinder banks to feed a wire gauze plenum, while quilted leather lines the firewall. The 964’s typical rat’s nest of wiring and plastic is no more, and the pared-back look is achieved by relocating the power-steering pump and air-con compressor to the frunk and fitting an aerospace-grade loom that connects via a single plug and saves a further 30kg. Even the oil filter has a supple leather sheath.
Before becoming so easy on the eye, this particular engine started life as a 3.6-litre from a 964 Carrera. Upgraded heads increase the displacement, aided by racier camshafts, lightweight forged internals and a MoTeC ECU with switchable maps. The result is 407bhp and 293lb ft to the rear wheels. This is the most powerful naturally aspirated engine Theon has ever created.
Slink into the carbonfibre-backed Recaro CS, twist the key and the Mezger flat-six barks before settling to a steady idle. With a quintet of gauges beneath the upright windscreen, and slightly offset pedals, it’s unmistakably classic 911, yet the reshaped door cards and billet-aluminium switchgear hint at something far more special.
Find an empty B-road and that specialness makes itself known. With a kerbweight of just 1150kg, the car feels 21st-century fast as the flat-six howls towards its 7600rpm red line. The power delivery is linear and the throttle response razor sharp, encouraging you to row through the perfectly weighted five-speed gearbox to experience the shove and sound on repeat.
The chassis and steering are equally enjoyable, and the honed 48:52 weight distribution helps cure the 964’s less desirable handling traits without dulling the communicative steering. Five-way-adjustable TracTive dampers keep the body in check yet shrug off the worst of England’s cratered roads, and the 993 Carrera RS brakes are powerful and progressive. From the driver’s seat, this is a very hard 911 to beat.
Does Theon Design still stand out from the restomod crowd? Yes – and at £420,000 before the donor car, it would be a worry if it didn’t.
More details at www.theondesign.com.
