18 Top six modified 911s: Theonroom mid-build will be specified with Bilsteins andbig reds.That level of bespoke personalisation runsthroughout the entire build, which depends on yourwishes, as well as your budget. Builds start at around£290,000, with a choice of engine specifications froma rebuilt standard configuration 3.6-litre with 285hp,a supercharged 3.6-litre with in excess of 400hp, a350hp 3.8-litre unit or a 4.0-litre flat-six with 400hp.Go all in, and you’ll be looking at a price tag that’sapproaching £400,000, and even at that level Theonis working on enough orders to keep them busy forthe next few years.That range-topping 4.0-litre is what’s poweringTheon’s first customer car. The naturally aspiratedfla six incorporating individual throttle bodies, amotorsport fuel injector set, an RS crank, Carrillocustom rods, lightened and balanced bottom end,a gas flowed case and a top end with flowed andported heads with bigger valves and re-profiled cams,as well as a coil pack conversion. To that there’s alsoa serpentine belt conversion, while remote electricpower steering and electric air conditioning, thelatter from Classic Retrofit, reduce parasitic lossesfrom the engine.Cusick’s finished in the dark with his camera andthere’s now a chance to really pore over the detailsoutside. Not only does the specification of the enginesound glorious, but it looks it too; it’s such a visualtreat that it’s a shame to shut the engine cover. Butthere’s so much more to take in and we’re going torun out of light outside, plus, being winter, we’relucky it’s dry. There’ll be time to detail the changeswhile out on the road, Hawley jumping in thepassenger seat alongside to join us on the shoot.If the exterior plays a subtle visual trick of beingfamiliar but different, then the interior is more overtin its game. Hawley admits he was a touch concernedabout the customer’s choice for the interior colours,but concedes that he was right. There’s Russian blueand burnt orange leather inside which, in defenceof Hawley’s first impressions, does sound bold, butin reality it works – the contrasting colours bothaccenting and modernising the otherwise familiararchitecture around the dashboard. The effect isas neat as it is classy; like putting a new strap on afavourite old chronograph it’s respectful of its period,the new pleasingly reasserting the quality of thatwhich it accompanies.The simplicity and purity that’s a virtue ofthe interior’s vintage isn’t lost, yet the detailing ispleasingly contemporary. Usually I’m against theuse of exposed carbon fibre in cars of any age, butits restrained use around the hand brake recess andgear lever sink looks right in its execution here.The rubber gaited gear lever that nestles in it isunashamedly mechanical, though as much as I lovethat, the hardness of the metal knob topping feelsa touch cold in the otherwise beautifully tactileinterior. That is, admittedly, something of a quirkof mine, but if I were ordering it, I’d want the gearknob covered in the same leather that rings thelovely Momo wheel doing the steering. Behind thatunadorned, simple wheel are the five classic dials,Theon adding its signature, and machined centresand needles – these again done subtly, to the pointthat you really need to know what you’re looking forto notice them.The exposed paintwork inside and the perforatedfoot boards in the passenger footwell underlinethat while the interior might offer tactility andcomfort, it’s not been at the expense of purpose.That’s a difficult balance to pull off, and one thatTheon’s achieved exceptionally well, though shouldyou want it you can have more carpet and sounddeadening. There’s fine detailing throughout, someindividualistic touches like the old 1970’s doorreleases placed high, and upside down in the bespokedoor cards. It all feels right, and crucially in a handbuiltmachine, tight. There are a few modernBELOW The door skin redesignmoves completely away from theusual air-cooled 911 layout, bringingmodernity to this 964
“Like putting a new strap on a favourite oldchronograph, it’s respectful of its period, thenew pleasingly reasserting the qualityof that which it accompanies”19
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