The Porsche 911 is an all-time favourite amongst car enthusiasts. The looks that have evolved yet
stayed true to its roots and the fact that Porsche has retained the engine aft of the rear axle
despite every law of physics saying it shouldn’t work has kept enthusiasts intrigued and entertained.
The 911 simply could not get any better, or could it?
Enter Theon design, the British company whose self proclaimed purpose is to create the ultimate air-cooled Porsche 911.
After years of immaculate restorations and recreating classic Porsches up to and beyond their original condition, Theon has outdone itself with the introduction of the ITA001. It’s the first-ever Italian version of the Porsche 911 (964) and, was created for an Italian discerning collector from Milan.
The ITA001 features an all-carbon featherweight body, semi-active suspension and a snarling, 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six. Now, this is a real dream come true for any car collector. It is a combination of OEM+ design and creative engineering with cutting-edge technology and manufacturing techniques.
The attention to detail delivers the ultimate Porsche 911 driving experience. Theon Co-Founder Adam Hawley said “At Theon Design, we’re all obsessive about Porsche. We enhance these wonderful machines in a considered way, ensuring our work is in keeping with the brand’s ethos,”
“We use the word ‘enhance’ deliberately, going to great lengths to make sure that the unique air-cooled Porsche feel is preserved; just distilled to make the driving experience all that more intoxicating. Our mission is to elevate the air-cooled 911 to all-new levels of performance and dynamic ability – while ensuring the car retains that endlessly beguiling Porsche DNA,” he added.
The ITA001 takes its base from the Porsche 911 (964), in this case, a Carrera 4 Coupe. It was completely stripped down to its bare metal skeletal before being restored precisely. The way this was done was with each panel digitized and modelled in 3D design software to ensure a perfect fit.
With all fluids filled, the car weighs around 1152kg which is 323kg lighter compared to the 911 (964). This was achieved by major attention to the bodywork details. A lighter, aerospace grade wiring loom was carefully threaded through the strengthened body shell, while modern dual air-conditioning compressors and an all-new electric-power steering pump are relocated to the front of the car, nestled low-down for optimised weight distribution.
The drive-by-wire throttle enables a much quicker and sharper response allowing the car to produce 400bhp at 7500rpm. The motor also features independent throttle bodies, developed in partnership with British specialists Jenvey.
Dual mass flywheels were installed to ensure the flat-six delivers an amazing response while behaving itself in normal driving.
A six-speed gearbox via an original Porsche 993 RS sends power to the rear wheels while the switchable ceramic-coated exhaust gives it the roaring sound of a Porsche.
The ITA001’s superb pedal feel and response, along with consistent, fade-free stopping power comes from a full 993 RS brake setup and to manage its traction and control, a full 993 RS differential is mounted in.
No matter if you’re speeding down an open highway or racing up the mountains, Theon has made this amazing build versatile. It also comes with a hydraulic nose-lift system to ensure that speed bumps and steep driveways do not get in the way.
The bodywork is finished in the classic Porsche colour of Schwartz Black, a ‘70s hue, offset by understated grey ‘Ghost’ stripes, with a matching PORSCHE script running under the doors, against the underside of the car.
The exterior’s carbon material can also be found inside the car to complement the handcrafted soft tobacco Bridle leather Recaro seats that have been trimmed to elegance. The six-speaker stereo is controlled via Bluetooth from a smartphone, which simply slots into a magnetic wireless charging slot on the leather dash.
Prices for Theon Design commissions start at £380,000 (RM2,064,968.00). Each car is a unique collaboration with the customer and takes 18 months to build. Price excludes donor car, shipping, and local taxes.
On the topic of upgrading a Porsche, click here to read about one of the most extensive product upgrades in Porsche’s history.
