This Rehash of a Vintage Porsche 911 Could Put Singer on Notice

It appears Singer is no longer the ultimate name in Porsche 911 resto-mods. Meet Theon Design, a British-based firm specializing in, as you probably guessed, resto-modded air-cooled 911s.

The company just revealed its latest project: an extra-spicy 964 Along with a ton of exquisite restored bits and pieces, it brings a whole bunch of upgrades that build upon and modernize the 964 platform.

Up until now, Singer has ruled the world of no-holds-barred restorations of classic 911s. However, with Theon Design entering the playing field, there could finally be a threat to the company’s dominance.

More than just a nut-and-bolt restoration

Theon Design

At first glance, Theon Design’s 964 looks like a Singer. Start paying attention to the details, however, and the differences start to add up.

For starters, Theon Design replaces some of the original 964’s heavy steel body panels with custom-fabricated carbon fiber replacements. The same goes for some of the 964’s moving aluminum bits.

Theon Design

Donor cars are then stripped of their original factory paint down to the metal. From there, Theon Design’s engineers rework the chassis by reinforcing it with additional seam welding for improved structural rigidity.

Theon Design

Moreover, upgraded and lighter custom-made attachment parts, such as the frunk and the engine bay lid, replace the original aluminum ones. The result is a significantly lighter car.

The interior also receives a similar treatment, complete with an entire reupholstery job. Two new Recaro CS carbon-fiber-backed seats festooned in Tobacco-colored nubuck leather replace the old buckets.

Theon Design

Custom-milled billet aluminum switches and knobs also replace many of the original plastic ones. And more carbon fiber trim bits line the insides for a much more contemporary and upscale vibe.

But the changes are far more than skin-deep.

Better power-to-weight ratio than a 911 GT3 RS

Theon Design

Similar to Singer, Theon Design then transplants the original air-cooled flat-sixes for a reworked version. In this latest case, a naturally-aspirated 4.0-liter unit replaces the factory 3.6-liter.

Theon Design

Thanks to a whole bunch of mechanical upgrades, such as new independent throttle bodies on the intake, a custom exhaust, and other internal revisions, the 4.0-liter mill punches out around 420 horsepower and 324 pound-feet of torque.

Theon Design

Compared to the original 3.6-liter flat-six, it’s almost twice as powerful. When new, the standard Porsche 964 Carrera 2 and 4 produced around 247 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque.

A boost in braking power matches the extra oomph, thanks to components lifted from the original 993 Carrera RS. Theon Design also fits upgraded and custom-tuned TracTive semi-active shock absorbers for better handling.

Theon Design

All of Theon Design’s Porsches also come exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission.

Completing the package are bigger and lighter five-spoke 17-inch Fuchs replica wheels. When all is said and done, Theon Design’s 964 weighs only 2,535 pounds.

Theon Design

So, is it any cheaper than a Singer? Not quite. its commissions can cost well over a half a million pounds, or the equivalent of about $530,000 USD.

That’s on par with most of Singer’s resto-mods. But some of those can even crest the seven-figure mark.

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