Did you find yourself wishing that the new Porsche 911 GT3 looked a little more classic? Well, you’re in luck.
Theon Design has just unveiled a new 911 restomod called the R. The gorgeous build can match up with the latest high-performance version of the sports car but weighs nowhere near as much.
The Oxfordshire shop’s new restomod is its third based on the 964 generation and is inspired by some of the most beloved versions of the storied nameplate, including the original 911 R and the 3.2 Club Sport from the 1980s. Theon takes a donor car and strips it down to the chassis, adds a carbon tub for reinforcement, and tops it with a new body made entirely of carbon fiber. The lightweight exterior looks mighty similar to that of an original 911, but has received some crucial aerodynamic tweaks, including a redesigned front splitter, fender flares, and a whale tail spoiler. Theon uses the lightest materials available which means that the R, despite all the modifications, tips the scales at just 2,200 pounds. That makes it 1,000 pounds lighter than the new GT3, and, as CarBuzz points out, even lighter than the current Mazda Miata, which weighs 2,300 pounds.
Theon Design R
Theon Design
The R may be stylish, but its most attractive quality may be that it was developed for and by enthusiasts. The restomod is powered by an air-cooled 4.0-liter flat-six mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear axle. The mill produces 500 hp, 295 ft lbs of torque, and redlines at 9,000 rpm. The figures put the car in line with the 992.2-generation GT3, which makes 502 hp and 339 ft lbs of torque. Performance is nearly identical too, with both vehicles capable of sprinting from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat. One thing to note: thanks to its light weight, the R has a better power-to-weight ratio than any current 911.
Just as impressive as the R’s flat-six is its suspension system. The setup was developed in collaboration with Motion Control Suspension and features bespoke dampers at each corner that can be independently adjusted. This helps ensure a smooth ride no matter what kind of surface or road the car is being driven across.
Theon Design
Anyone interested in the restmod will want to reach out to Theon soon. The shop plans to build just 24 examples of the R. It will cost a lot, though. Customers have to provide the donor car and then pay around £790,000 (or roughly $1 million) for the R.
Click here for more photos of the Theon Design R.
Theon Design
