British restoration specialists Thornley Kelham has revealed the European RS as its latest reimagined classic. Based on a pre-964 generation Porsche 911, the European RS is the first car from TK’s European Collection, a series of restomods that celebrates the golden era of European automotive design.
Each European RS is restored to concours standard before being sympathetically upgraded to modern performance levels for a sharper and more rewarding driving experience than a typical G-era Porsche 911.
Such is the level of finish that each European RS requires more than 6000 hours to build. Other cars in the European Collection include the Mercedes-Benz SL, Porsche 356 and Jaguar XK, which are due to be completed later this year.
At the heart of this European RS lies a potent air-cooled flat-six derived from the 993-generation's engine block
“Our European Collection is a celebration of some of the most beautiful and iconic cars of all time, maintaining their allure and thrill but bringing their usability and performance into the 21st century,” explained Thornley Kelham co-founder Simon Thornley. “The European RS combines the pure engagement of the original 1973 Carrera 2.7 RS but comes complete with a lightweight, handcrafted body and reimagined driver-focussed interior.”
The build of European RS car zero began with sourcing a pre-964 Porsche 911 G donor car, which was selected because of its lightness. Next, Thornely Kelham metalworkers stripped the shell down to bare metal before altering its dimensions, extending its length by 19mm, reducing its height by 51mm, and expanding its width by 220mm. The chassis is then seam-welded and fitted with a roll cage to enhance its rigidity.
These subtly altered dimensions mean that, when you see the car in the metal, it’s easy to be fooled into thinking that it’s another 964-based conversion – particularly as it borrows the rear lights from a 911 of that era. Despite the extra length and width the car remains incredibly light at just 1070kg thanks to carbonfibre front and rear bumpers and spoiler polycarbonate rear three-quarter windows and aluminium-skinned doors and bonnet. The exterior takes around 2500 hours to complete and includes a concours-standard paint finish.
Open the driver’s door and you’re greeted with an interior that mirrors the show car quality of the bodywork. TK has continued to take a sympathetic approach here, maintaining the familiarity of the iconic Porsche design while introducing a touch of modern refinement. Luxurious Connolly leather and Alacantara has been used to upholster the cabin and the fit and finish of the carpets, switchgear and interior trim is excellent.
The one-piece carbonfibre bucket seats are both supportive and comfortable and the unassisted Momo Prototipo steering wheel feels wonderfully tactile when you’re on the move. There’s also a repositioned gear lever, a lightweight climate control system, electric windows and Bluetooth connectivity. Luxurious Connolly leather and Alcantara has been used to upholster the cabin, which also features extra sound deadening to enhance refinement.
At the heart of this European RS lies a potent air-cooled flat-six derived from the 993-generation’s engine block. While the crankcase, cam carriers and engine block remain true to their original specifications, every other component has been meticulously overhauled.
Displacement has been increased to 3.8-litres and the internal components have been enhanced with billet aluminium cylinder heads, Mahle pistons and bespoke camshafts. Other upgrades include a custom ECU, fuel injection and individual throttle bodies. These improvements raise the engine outputs to 385bhp and 290lb ft of torque and the redline to 8000rpm. The power is sent to the rear wheels via a G50 six-speed manual transmission.
When you twist the ignition key it becomes immediately obvious that this is no ordinary air-cooled flat six. The engine erupts from its slumber with an aggressive bark before settling to a gruff idle. Head out onto the open road and the powertrain produces one of the most exciting soundtracks you could ever hope to hear in a road car, progressing from an angry growl at lower engine speeds to a shrill flat-six howl as you near the 8000rpm redline.
Those who demand even higher levels of performance than car zero can select from two additional air-cooled flat-six engine configurations. The first is a 4.0-litre 24-valve unit that delivers over 400bhp with more low-down torque, while the second is a 3.6-litre 24-valve engine that revs to an incredible 10,000rpm. As tempting as these specifications might be, car zero’s 385bhp feels more than adequate for road use.
Complementing the powertrain and chassis improvements is the car’s overhauled suspension, which features bespoke front wishbones based on the modern-day GT3 and lightweight aluminium rear trailing arms. This is combined with motor sport-spec JRZ four-way adjustable dampers paired with Eibach springs, adjustable hollow anti-roll bar, and a Wavetrac limited-slip differential. Agility is improved even further by a Quaife steering rack and electric power steering can be installed as an option.
Slowing things down is a fade-resistant braking system that features six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers matched with vented and cross-drilled discs. Those wishing for even more stopping power can opt for a carbon ceramic system, which also reduces unsprung mass by 17kg.
The calipers are masked by 18-inch Fiske FFR wheels that take inspiration from the iconic Fuchs alloys that are typically associated with classic 911s. The three-piece, five-spoke design is manufactured from aircraft-grade aluminium and can be wrapped in either Michelin Pilot Sport 4s tyres or more aggressive Michelin Cup 2 rubber.
With car zero completed, Thornley Kelham has confirmed the order book for the European RS is now open. Just 25 examples will be built, with prices starting from $750,000. For more information, click here.
