Theon Design has revealed its latest bespoke commission, a fully restored and enhanced Porsche 911, blending world-class design and engineering that takes the iconic German sports car to a new level.
The third exclusive car from the company and the second to be destined for Hong Kong, HK002, combines OEM-level design, quality and manufacturing techniques with an obsessive attention to detail.
The 964 based HK002 pays homage to Porsche’s heritage and enhances the essence of the aircooled 911, making each car lighter, more powerful and more visceral to drive.
Theon Design is the brainchild of Adam Hawley, a Porsche obsessive and expert car designer with over two decades of automotive design experience. Having worked with the likes of BMW, JLR, Lexus and Lotus, on both concept and production cars, as well as designing for Airbus on the A380, he has brought all of this experience to the fore with the HK002.
“I always wanted to own a 911 that was a little bit different; to create a car using the design, material and prototyping skills I acquired over the twenty years I spent in the automotive industry,” explains Hawley.
“My goal was to enhance a classic Porsche, applying an OEM- like approach with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and manufacture to ensure the highest possible quality and finish. Finally, I was determined to honour Stuttgart’s legendary heritage and engineering ethos, with a focus on lightweight construction, enhanced performance and ultra-precise and engaging driving dynamics.”
Based on a 911 SC with a race-prepared 993 engine, Theon Design Porsche commissions offers customers a wide choice of engine options, ranging from 3.6- to 4.0- litre naturally aspirated or turbocharged. The HK002 features a naturally aspirated 3.8-litre unit, producing 371bhp and 300lb ft of torque. Its features independent throttle bodies, flowed and ported heads, a lightened and balanced bottom end, Mahle barrels and pistons, Carrillo rods and custom profile camshafts.
The drive is taken to the rear wheels through a fully rebuilt G50 six-speed manual gearbox from the 993, while the car crouches even closer to the ground than a 964 RS with KW Variant 3 dampers all round.
The approach Theon Design took to the 964’s original air-conditioning, and power-steering units perfectly illustrates the team’s meticulous attention to detail. Weight savings and achieving a more balance weight distribution are a core focus of Theon Design’s approach. When the car left the factory, the original air-conditioning and power-steering units were mounted high up on the back of the engine. Theon Design replaced them with much more power- efficient units, which are now positioned low -down in the front of the car, which helps create a near-ideal 50:50 weight distribution. And with a full tank of fuel, the Theon Design HK002 weighs just 1248kg.
Moving to the interior, every detail is prepared to meet the customer’s desires. Recaro front seats, finished in semi-aniline green leather with a Spinneybeck weave and contrasting yellow stripe, provide exemplary support. Contrasting carbon fibre features throughout the cabin. The centre console, constructed from carbon fibre and then wrapped in leather, also features exposed carbon panels.
The Nardi steering wheel was custom stitched to match the car’s interior by Nardi itself. Even the car’s ‘frunk’ is finished to the same detail as the rest of the HK002, featuring exposed carbon side ‘pods’ and a leather-wrapped carbon fibre fuel tank cover. Theon Design has also fitted a 964 RS strut-brace, wrapped in woven leather.
Modern comforts have not been overlooked, with the inclusion of a hidden reversing camera screen, a concealed stereo unit and a magnetic wireless charger, mounted behind the dashboard.
To recreate the feel of technology from another era, Theon Design has fitted cable operated heater controls. And while these have the beautiful, manual, tactile feel of those found on a 1970’s Porsche 911, the heater is, of course, a modern, highly efficient heating and air-conditioning unit.
Prices for Theon Design commissions start at £300,000. Each car is a totally unique collaboration with the customer and takes 18 months to build.