Air-cooled charm meets performance that rivals Porsche’s modern pinnacle.
The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is one of the most impressive track-ready performance machines that the manufacturer has ever produced, with an incredible amount of power squeezed out of its naturally aspirated boxer six-cylinder engine, as well as highly advanced weight-saving techniques and aerodynamics. However, Theon Design, a specialist in creating bespoke commissions based on the 964, one of the most beloved air-cooled generations of the Porsche 911, has managed to eclipse the GT3 RS’s power-to-weight ratio with its latest creation.
The new car from Theon Design is the firm’s lightest and most powerful 911 comission yet, with a 4.0-liter flat-six air-cooled engine that manages to muster a robust 421 horsepower. While that figure is much less than that of the latest 911 GT3 RS, what makes that power so meaningful is the fact that the new Theon Design commission, which was built for a US-based customer over the course of 18 months, tips the scales at just 2,450 pounds, thanks to its F1-grade carbon-kevlar body.
With the 964 donor car completely stripped down to create this incredible performance machine that combines the best of the old and new world of Porsche 911s, only the doors are steel, preserving the iconic feeling of opening and closing the doors of an old-school Porsche 911. Meanwhile, the engine is placed low in the engine bay, optimizing weight distribution to 46:54, despite the rear-engine configuration of the 911 not catering to optimal weight distribution on its own. A special six-speed manual gearbox provides performance and purist feeling, while carbon ceramic brakes and advanced suspension give modern confidence along with the car’s vintage charm.
As far as cosmetics, the car is finished in Azzuro Thetys Metallic, with leather upholstery and trimming throughout the interior indicating luxury craftsmanship and the bespoke nature of the commission. Recaro CS seats with leather-trimmed hard backs combine luxury with motorsport potential, and a JL Audio system with a bespoke setup and a power-deploying Alpine head unit helps continue the combination of modern luxury and old-school charm. With incredible power and lightweight construction, Theon Design proves that the air-cooled Porsche 911 still has plenty of performance merit.
Image Source: Theon Design