In the world of hand-built, customized restomod Porsche 911s, the name Theon Design might not be as popular as Singer or Tuthill, but the UK-based company’s work isn't any less impressive. In fact, it just recently unveiled a restomod 911 based on the 930-generation with a price tag of $400,000. No matter who builds them, all restomoded Porsches have one thing in common - they are expensive and only a select few can actually enjoy them. For example, Theon Design's latest creation, called the CHI001, is priced at no less than £380,000, about $421,000 at the current exchange rates.
A Fully Restored 964 Porsche 911 With Lots Of Carbon Fiber Elements
The CHI001 is based on the Porsche 964 and was built on the special request of a customer from Chile. Theon Design stripped down the car and fully restored it, using parts from Porsche cars of both past and present. Unlike its past projects, most of the CHI001’s exterior elements are made from carbon fiber. The lightweight material was used for the roof, bonnet, engine lid, spoiler, bumpers, and sill covers. Each element was modeled in 3D design software to ensure ultimate precision and perfect panel fit. The car is finished in Viola Metallic, a color first found on the 1993 Porsche 911 (964) 30th Anniversary Edition. A nice contrast is created by the wheel arch liners made from lightweight black Kevlar. The car rides on special 17-inch Fuchs-style wheels featuring body-colored centers with champagne-colored pedals and outer rims.
Heritage and Modern Technology
The cabin has been specially designed according to the customer's exact requirements and is a combination of past elements and modern technology. The driver and front passenger will enjoy Recaro Club Sport seats made from patina leather with woven Porsche Royal Purple panels. The passengers in the back ride in touring seats with similar woven leather panels. Just like for the exterior, carbon fiber plays an important role in inside. As this is a car for 2023, it needed some modern touches, so Theon Design opted for a magnetic wireless smartphone charger, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite navigation, high-end Focal amplifiers, and speakers placed in both front doors.
A 964 Carrera 4 With 400 HP Under The Hood
The CHI001 started its life as a 964 Carrera 4, a model that was originally powered by a 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine that delivered a total of 250 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque. For this particular unit, Theon Design opted to replace the boxer engine with a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine that delivers a total of 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. The engine sends all its power to the rear wheels via a lightweight six-speed gearbox borrowed from the 993 models. The customer also asked for a Wavetrac limited slip differential for improved control and traction.
The CHI001 comes with Theon’s hydro-electric power-steering, a switchable exhaust, and RS-spec semi-active suspension from specialists TracTive. Finally, there is a heavily revised braking system with carbon discs and pads.
After all is said and done, the CHI001 weighs only 1,164 kilos (2,566 pounds) - a lot less than the original's 1,450 kilos (3,196 pounds). Since it is lighter and more powerful, we expect the CHI001 to be a lot faster than the 964. In its day it could go from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds and up to 161 mph.
The Theon Design CHI001 Is Not Cheap
The CHI001 is priced at £380,000 - about $421,000 at the current exchange rates. While this particular unit was a special request, Theon Design announced it will build more units, though it has yet to reveal how many. Each example takes 18 months to be built from start to finish.
