London is no stranger to supercars – or even ultra-rare hypercars. A simple walk through the city’s hotspots can sometimes be more exciting than an entire car show.
So when I planned a visit to the English capital, I expected nothing less than what Theon Design brought to the table for the day.
Air-cooled Porsches are experiencing a renaissance. Restomods have become so widespread that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but creating a standout piece requires not only skill but real dedication. Theon Design takes up the challenge and aims to build the ultimate air-cooled Porsche 911s.
Based in Oxfordshire, this passionate team specializes in the 964 (1989 to 1994) generation of the Porsche 911. Since 2016, Theon has been creating fully customized vehicles, with every detail tailored to the owner’s preferences. This dedication was clearly reflected in the two unique creations they brought to London.
I was standing opposite the Cartier showroom on Old Bond Street when Adam Thawley, co-owner of Theon Design, and his colleague Thomas arrived. The two 964s they drove – one a Signal Yellow 964 Targa and the other a Midnight Blue Coupé – looked as if they had just rolled off the factory floor.
Parked together, the Theon 964s brought the busy street to a standstill. For a city known for its supercars, it was surprising to see so much attention focused on two older Porsches.
We often categorize people as “petrolheads” or “non-petrolheads,” but that feels like an oversimplification. Everyone becomes a car enthusiast if the vehicle is convincing enough. I had a few minutes to enjoy the atmosphere and take some photos before Adam and Thomas prepared to move on to the next stops of their London tour.
Thomas kindly offered me the passenger seat in the Targa, and I jumped at the chance.
When I got into the car, I was surprised by an unexpected joy: the interior was modern and retro at the same time. I quickly appreciated the absence of screens and haptic buttons. Instead, the controls were delightfully old-fashioned: knobs for the heater and pull-out switches for the headlights and, most importantly, the exhaust valves. The character of the car changed when those valves were opened and closed.
We drove down Park Lane and past the Dorchester Hotel, where a crowd was admiring a Koenigsegg Regera. As if on cue, they all turned their heads like meerkats in alert. The sound of two six-cylinder engines was enough to shift their attention from the hypercar to Theon’s vintage Porsches.
Our last stop was a typical London stable. After we parked, I had a chance to chat with Adam, who co-founded Argy Theon Design with his wife Lucinda.
As mentioned, Theon’s rebuilt 911s are based on the 964 generation, but the level of customization is where they excel. According to Adam, if you gathered five of their ordered cars and their owners in one place, you would immediately recognize the unique match between each car and its driver.
Common features of the Theon Design structures include lightweight carbon fiber panels, except for the doors, which maintain a solid, original feel. A carbon tub provides additional chassis stiffness, which is especially beneficial for the 964 Targas, as they were known to flex more than the 964 Coupé.
These modifications contribute to a significant weight reduction – a total of approximately 300 kg (661 lbs). A Coupé weighs approximately 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs), while the Targa weighs approximately 1,200 kg (2,645 lbs). Despite the weight loss, it’s not all about compromises; The interior is usually covered with about 100 kg of leather!
Engine options range from a 3.6-liter with 285 hp to a 3.8-liter with 370 hp and a 4.0-liter with 400 hp. Supercharged and turbocharged options are also available. These engines are mated to a Porsche Getrag G50 five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed HSC-200 transmission, sending power to the rear wheels. My smooth ride in the Targa was thanks to the fully adjustable TracTive ACE (Active Controlled Electronics) suspension, specially tuned for touring.
Starting prices for Theon’s bespoke 964s are £410,000 (approximately US$516,000) for the Coupé and £430,000 (US$541,000) for the Targa.
The Targa, codenamed GBR-05 as the fifth car to be delivered in Britain, was built for a returning customer who already owns a Coupé. The car is built to touring specifications and prioritises comfort and luggage space for long journeys. The Coupé, codenamed USA-01 as the first American delivery, on the other hand, is more focused on sports performance. The owner, a racing driver, requested a mode switch with options for city driving, track use and two different sport settings. These bespoke structures, with their customized features, cost approximately £600,000 (US$755,000) each.
The automotive world is awash with restomods, and it’s not hard to see why. Modern cars often fail to captivate enthusiasts and drive them towards older vehicles. Restomods bridge this gap, offering the reliability and comfort of modern cars while retaining the timeless charm of classics. While not all restomods are created equal, what Theon Design builds may be the very best.
I shot a video with these two special 964s while I was in London, and you can watch it by hitting the play button above.
Jathu Thillai
Instagram: jathuthillai
www.jtoncars.uk
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