When it comes to modifying 911s, owners are spoiled for choice as there are many aftermarket companies willing to build your ideal specification. Singer, Ruf, RWB or Emory are among the most obvious choices, but Theon Design also wants a slice of the action. Founded in 2016, the Oxfordshire-based specialist presents its latest project – the BELL001. The name reflects this 964 belongs to the company’s first Belgian customer.
Restored to the last bolt, the sports car features a 3.6-litre flat-six with a Rotrex supercharger fitted to the right side of the engine where the original AC was installed. It uses the same mounting points but these have been reinforced to ensure there is no flex when the motor is pushed hard. The dual-charge coolers were installed on the opposite side of the engine to the compressor, meaning the engine compartment has a perfectly symmetrical layout.
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The air-cooled engine produces a healthy 400 horsepower and 367 pound-feet of torque (nearly 500 Newton-meters) sent to the wheels through the original five-speed manual transmission, which was completely rebuilt by Theon Design. Other highlights include a stainless steel exhaust system and semi-active suspension in a car that weighs just 1,265 kilograms (2,788 pounds) with all fluids and gas tank full.
To keep the weight as low as possible, the bodywork liberally uses carbon fiber sourced from a Formula 1 supplier. The OEM air conditioning we mentioned earlier has been replaced by a new setup that is not only lighter but also more efficient. With all the hardware changes made to the 964, Theon Design claims to have achieved a near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution.
As you may have already guessed, such construction takes a considerable amount of time and money. Theon Design needs 18 months to complete a car and is asking £380,000 for the ‘cheapest’ commission. This equates to approximately $456,000 at current exchange rates. Yeah.
