4.0litre, 405bhp Theon Design 911 review. And you thought Singer made the best 964 restomod..
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- Опубліковано 30 бер 2024
- Theon Design are based in the UK and have quietly being producing the ultimate carbonfibre bodied 911 resto-mod since 2019. Created using a Porsche 964 as rthe base vehicle, just 5 a year are created at their workshops near Banbury in the UK and each one takes over 6,000 hours to complete.
This video was created with the support of:
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www.magnitudefinance.com/harr...
www.silverstoneauctions.com/
www.ctek.com
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I’m delighted that finally a company made a conscious choice to use taller rubber. On the road it makes so much sense to have a bit of sidewalk, and it just looks better!
hear hear!
I also don’t understand why there is such a trend away from tall tyres. You look at any Daytona, Miura, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s 911, and they all have tall rubber and look bloody fantastic. See any of those cars on low profile rubber and they’d look crap in comparison. Couple that to a more compliant ride and what’s not to like?
@@dbx3197 Nobody these days wants to know but smaller wheels means a smaller rotational inertia. The trend towards big wheels and skinny tyres is fashion, not reason.
-We once camouflaged our tall rubber with whitewalls
Sidewall lol.
'it is the business of the wealthy man to give work to the artisan', well done all around.
For just a moment or two, step back and have a little think about that.....
It's actually a bit of an indictment of a society (or a particular segment) that doesn't _honestly_ grasp the world that surrounds it. 🙄
couldn't agree with you more, i call it 'engaging with life' . Give oak swamp a view for the opposite side of the coin.@@assininecomment1630
@@assininecomment1630Right on, comrade
Employment
@@robertcook2572 And like clockwork, the usual textbook, knee-jerk reply.
Every time I see one of these over the top resto mods I can't help thinking about a "sleeper" version without all the bling. Imagine you take a tired old 964, take it apart, fix up the rust and strengthen what needs strengthening, put in the big engine, gearbox and trick suspension, but leave everything else as is. No 7 grand hand stitches leather interior, just stick with the regular one. No bespoke instruments or knobs, just stick with the regular ones. No shaved down turn signals, just stick with the regular ones. End result, a tired, old looking 964 that is anything but tired and old, due to new running gear. I bet a car like that is just as fun to drive, maybe even more because of the "stealth" and it would probably be a quarter of the price.
Chris Harris built one, Google Kermit 911, you can thank me later.
I was going to say almost exactly this. I'd love the engine mods from this but with a standard 964 exterior. Well, a bit lower too and running on BBS LMs, that would be perfect for me.
I don't see bling. This is bling to you
I've done exactly what you say to my E36 M3 coupe. Original newly built blue printed engine.
Oh yeah totally agree with you !
And great thanks to the owner for their kind gift of letting us all have a taste of what we’ll never be able to afford. I appreciate the content where you review unobtainium.
MG Xpower SV at 24:09!
What a rare sighting! Guess, Harry lives in a well-to-do neighbourhood 😏
Could be another UA-camr, there’s a couple of people use the same “test track” as Harry
I was to slow to comment. :-) I actually rewinded and had a second look before I saw your comment. What a rare sight!
How the hell did you see that?
Indeed!
Sadly, last time I checked my bank statement, I didn't see a spare £750k lying around.....Ho hum. I'll have to be satisfied with Harry's excellent video. Thanks Harry - BRILLIANT!
check again....! (and Good Luck)
I'd buy P1800 Cyan without thinking twice instead of this one
Very generous owner letting you drive it before he has.
I couldn't in all honesty drop 400000 on a bespoke car then let someone else put the first chip on the bonnet for me
mad or so rich doesn't care
@@user-ue7ff2cz5b It ended up costing £750k with all the options and donor car!!
That suspension adjustment would have been welcome in my old 964RS which had a ride quality somewhere between a skateboard and a church pew.
My "RS4" rode like a dream. Firm but not harsh or jarring.
They are using a TracTive Suspension, they also have a kit available for your RS.
@@piffiiiiiiit I assume you mean an Audi RS4 ?
@markbroadheaf1593 no sir, 964 "RS4". My RS inspired C4. Google "Skunkworks RS-4" and you'll find it
I remember when you visited Theon, I can't help but think that using 964s isn't sustainable. But using very tired or damaged 964s would be a great way to give these awesome vehicles a second life. These are incredibly desirable cars, and the redesigned Fuchs wheels are gorgeous. Love this video, Thanks Harry!
If you only make five cars a year, using 964s is sustainable.
@harryspeakup8452 yeah, but Singer, Gunterwerks, Paul Stephen's, Emory Motorsports, Canepa, EspoResto, Ruf, etc, etc. They're kind of adding up.
🇩🇪 RUF "modern take"
🇭🇷 Tedson "modern take"
🇺🇲 Gunther "modern take"
🇺🇲 Singer "classic look"
🇬🇧 Theon "classic look"
🇬🇧 Tuthill "classic look"
@@kevmagill5163 over 60k made. Let say there are 50k kicking around. If all those companies combined pumped out 500 restomod 964s per year, that's another 100 years of production. 500/year is likely way higher than production of these things will ever get.
Worth about the same as the Countach then? Which would you have?
Exquisite. Love the blended arches over the visible line on singers. Nice to hear Harry have some gripes and not be blindly enamoured by the recipe. That’s why we love Harry; unwavering honesty!!
That moment at 15:41 goosebumps. What a car, what a video.
Please.
Alan Partridge is that you?
Sounds like a GT3 🤩
It’s how cars used to accelerate before they started to wobble down the road while the 1000bhp fights the traction control.
@@a9503128 Even an M2 because it's so heavily turbocharged will break traction these days and have the traction light flashing like a Christmas tree.
I was down at Kemble airport yesterday to watch the 30th anniversary of the buccaneer retiring do fast taxi runs, after I drove through Burford and down your test route, I was like a kid in a sweet shop, one of my friends took a video of me going around your famous corner too, that road is certainly a challenge and undulates alot more then is shown on the camera!
The intake/exhaust bark is reminiscent of the 917! Sounds fantastic!
You have a cartoon avatar image.
@@johnsmith1474 your nickname is "johnsmith1474"
Best cartoon from my childhood!
That exhaust sound is an eargasm. It reminded me of my first trip trip Le Mans in 1970 and the sound of the 917 when it went on the overrun down the hill toward the Esses from the Dunlop Bridge. Never heard anything more inspiring before or since.
Ima young Lad here in Miami and I’m always delighted to watch you experience these cars. We love you Harry!
beautiful creation, Very kind of customer to allow a review and drive of his undelivered car!
Automotive perfection. Imagine getting out of this outside a casino in Monaco, A Lange triple split watch on your wrist and Ana De Armas in the passenger seat applying her lipstick… ah well, back to reality. Got to finish cleaning the Mrs’ Volvo 😢
As a Singer owner, I could not imagine how awful that car would be around Monte Carlo. Absolutely horrid place to drive anything.
I hope it’s a Volvo estate at least
@@utterutternutter
What?
I would happily settle for the triple split!
Lordy... the over-run with the exhaust valves open... positively outrageous.
It’s great to see Harry so happy. Now he knows how we all feel when he posts a video for us ! ❤
Unspoilt 964's are going to be the more expensive than this soon.
They made soooo many 964s. And Singer *correction didn't* use convertibles anyway 😉
I just checked and they made 64,000 964s. So the 400 Singers + all the rest of the Theons etc only amount to 1,000 at most.
.
Think you'll be able to find one of the other 63,000 left lol
Absolutely ridiculous nonsense, I have a excellent 105.000 miles 964 it’s value is around £80.000 I drove a Singer in the States last year and I am sure Harry’s car is the same, it drives and the quality are absolutely of the scale compared to my car..
probably not my friend
@@alanwayte432£80k for an over 100k miles 964. Err ok with that you dreamer!!!
Your reviews are utterly unrivalled.
A very special Easter gift, Harry. Phenomenal sound on the overrun.
Superb video. It's like having a mate who gets to drive great cars and asks you along for the ride. A great balanced review with detail and all the emotion and excitement of a true car fan!
My favourite 911 shape. Stunning car!
Happy Easter all , thanks for another cracking video Harry
Happy Easter to you
Harry, one of the best and most enjoyable air cooled 911 videos to date. Thank you.
❤ for the unforgettable air cooled music...
Thank you.
I wish someone used a 964 to make a 964.
An original 964 could become a very nice car with this equipment and thus retain the beautiful appearance that the 964 has.
Absolutely amazing sound, Gorgeous
Harry, I can't recall when I've ever seen you enjoy driving any car more than this bespoke Porsche, What fun!
Such a beautiful piece of automotive art 🤩 …… what always strikes me with this age of 911 is the compactness of the overall package in comparison to the modern versions, lovely to see 😊
This is , by far, the most insane off throttle noise I've ever heard in my whole entire life!
The Mustang in Bullitt is a good second.
Harry is in heaven in this video. Fabulous car..Fabulous price. There's a crowd here in Melbourne building a similar bespoke 911. Same mad money.
Great report on what must be the ultimate version of an air cooled 911. Sensible tyres too, leave the low profile stuff for track days! I do hope the owner finds somewhere he can actually ¨drive¨ his car. Back in 1976 coming off the ferry from France at 6am one summer's Sunday morning in my 2.7 Carrera RS I left Southampton and less than an hour later was in the outskirts of Birmingham....rarely under 120mph or above 140 mph. What joy 🙂
What a beautiful, beautiful car. Happy Easter Harry. Happy Easter everyone.
The exterior is exquisite… as well as the rest. Great design choices!
So well over half a million quid all said and done.
La-la land.
Living over 30 years on that planet and i still having a hard time wrapping my head around the absurd wealth some people have. Having 750k laying around to spend. Ridiculous to me...
@@wackrapsatire so glad you said that...I think that this whole overpriced 964 restomod trend (Singer, Theon etc etc) is just a massive flex for people with way too much money
@@kieranpower7482 Yeah agree. Really liked the early singers, great looks, 4.0 engine by cosworth - great concept of course for moon prices. But honestly as cool as they may be, these days i´m all in for patina. Do the mechanical parts, engine but leave the polishing and posh carbon stuff that hasen´t been in it´s place orginially, let the car have some character and show it´s wrinkles. I personally am al about first series 993 base carrera RWD - great car and nothing for the boulevard but those who know will notice, gives great personal joy or if again money isn´t somethng to worry about a midnight blue 993 turbo with wheels in exterior color, full leather. Still dreaming of that since the 90s.Give me that and my unfullfilled 911 dreams would be statisfied. Can keep all the restomods
@@wackrapsatire well said
Same here. The only 911 I would want would be a series production Porsche or a RUF.
Absolutely glorious video Harry.What a machine!!
Harry is never afraid to tell it like it is. I saw a Theon at Goodwood last year, incredible quality of finish.
Harry your honesty and integrity are second to none. Cheers!
i think hes good enough to work for a car magazine now.
check jayemm on cars, he does excellent real world car reviews, old school top gear
I would have had to agree with you right up until this installment. See my comment to find out what i mean. It's not earth shattering and doesn't really distract from this brilliant channel.
In this ever changing world in which we live in.
It's nice to watch a bit of Sanity.
Happy Easter.
Not sure that a £1/2 million thirty year old 911 is sanity
@@hughoxford8735 Agreed. Might have been better to tart up a 993.
Very enjoyable, as always! Thank you for the analysis, the insights and not dwelling on the price.
Thanks for this video Harry, and well done to Thion for what they did with this 964.
It looks and sounds glorious!
Normally, most of the time I watch your videos I think "I would love to try driving that over those roads." This time, however, I watched it thinking "I would be quite happy sitting in the passenger seat as you drove it over those roads." It gava the impression that it would be more than I could handle, but it would be too intoxicating to back off.
Absolutely loved it Harry. Thank you again.
I am an enormous fan of Mr Metcalfe, forever greatful for his part in creating what is the only car magazine worth buying (EVO), to these videos. There has been a small dip in recent months (although I will never stop watching the videos), but these in depth honest road reviews are the bread and butter. This is a fantastic video, Mr Metcalfe, thank you sir.
When you've had a bad day at the office, what better way to put a smile back on your face than the sound of this engine. Awesome.
What a sound. What a GRUNT ! Boy! Beautifully done.
That ticks all the boxes for a 911, for me. Best looking wheels, best looking body shape and a great colour.
Best car ever featured on Harry’s garage IMO
This is one beautifully put together restomod that highlights the purity of the original 911 design. Great to see a "regular" dashboard without all the screens you see in modern day cars for a change, and a manual gearbox, which is what you truly need to enjoy a car like this.
Very nice bit of kitt, I like the sound, it’s like thunder.
Truly beautiful, what an awesome 911 , if my lottery numbers come up I will be ordering one.
Despite me being a Porsche purist, that car is absolutely stunning! Regardless of the ridiculous price, gorgeous it is ..the ones who have the means to buy it, do so, and the rest of us just enjoy it distant!
Hard built, in house options. yeah i can respect the price.
I just replayed the outside acceleration view at about 15:40 maybe ten times in a row. I love BEVs, but: What a glory is this! :D
Having followed behind you during the latter part of this review video, I can attest the Theon Design 911 sounds absolutely fabulous, comprehensively outshining the sound of the flat 6 in my Boxster GTS 4.0. Thank you for another superb video Harry.
This era 911 still looks amazing
Somebody needs to do a Porsche tuner comparison. Theon, Singer, Ruf, Techart, Gemballa etc all of them together for a group test.
I'm old. I used to drive the A361 for fun at 04:00 on a Summer Sunday, but now I have an I3. It's like driving white goods.
Harry, thank you for this video; that car was just too much FUN. Definitely one of your very best. Vicarious fun unlimited.
Absolutely stunning!! Before I just wanted your Jaguar XJC V12, now I have to add this to the list. I would have a hard time deciding each morning which to head out in. Splendid both.
For 3/4 of a mill, I'd want an air filter!
Too true…and a cover for the oil filter, the world has gone mad.
Just smashing! The attention to bespoke detail. Beautiful.
Thank you for the befitting commentary and reflection. The sound was orgasmic.
We'll never enjoy the review as much as you had making it;) BUT... It was an awesome review, and video, as are all your videos. Thank you so much for the great content!
Sounds amazing, Harry clearly enjoys how it drives but I would have the singer classic with a 3.8/4.0L, six speed and the olins over this every time.
For a car ready to be delivered to its owner some unforgivable things for me. The squeaking steering as it rubs on the boss and the heating not working! Also unless it was a trick of the light the weave seen under the bonnet looked creased. Points to a lack of attention and care for the customer.
Also some fundamental baked in design issues for me, the biggest being the interior it just doesn’t look completely cohesive compared to a standard 964, the door cards in particular look wrong as does the rear seat treatment. The seats too are just to modern looks wise for me although I loved them in my Clio, so comfy and supportive.
Finally no air filters other than some open mesh no matter if you have the plenum or the trumpets, what a way to drastically shorten the life span of your no doubt extraordinarily expensive engine.
A singer looks so much better resolved in all the details inside and out with the exception of the drilled Perspex vent Harry pointed out
I've been a subscriber for quite some time Harry, THIS was your best video, I could feel your enthusiasm for THIS car...LOUD & CLEAR ❗️
THANK YOU🙏
Fantastic, informative video. What a gem of a car. Thankyou
Ohhhhhh… that’s lovely.
…… that thing sounds great, looks beautiful and looks like great fun to drive…
Thanks again Harry!
Iconic sound!!
…huge respect for uk based ultra specialist companies. 🇬🇧
The best Harrys Garage video, hands down! What a car!!
These are amazing, I live next door to the rural workshop and temptation is very real!
That's the one Harry!!!! The opening 3 seconds.... you look perfect in that car mate and it sounds the dogs *******
24:10 - MG SV driving the other way, don't see those every day
Maybe it was Jack Number 27?!
unlike Porsche's which all look the same.
What a masterpiece of a car ,beautiful and it sounds like heaven, thank you for the magnificient review, as usual!
Just hearing your ooohs and aaaaahhhs along with the exhaust note was brilliant, every gear change another rasp from the exhaust and exquisite rapture from the driver. Great that you got to drive it, thanks for taking us along for the ride, almost felt like is was in the passenger seat.
Those flat 6's just sound like a driving heaven soundtrack .
Mr Metcalfe, could you please get a Tuthill 911 in; we know you have the connections xxx
Yeah the 3 0 which went 11krpm Chris Harris drove😊
Yes, yes, yes! But something not too radical, something that shows their workmanship.
YESSSSSSS
Definitely that one
Second this. Does a 964 need carbon panels, off the shelf retrimmed seats and questionable led brake lights? A proper tuthill engine rebuild, tarmac spec rally dampers and a pro setup would do everything this has for far less and in my eyes look so much more beautiful.
Crazy money Harry....but it does look (and sound) superb!
Ow that's something else harry sound!!! all round brilliance that's a keeper thanks
Amazing car and nice Panerai, Harry
Love the Panerai, unfortunately I have slim wrists (and not enough money) 😂
Singer recently got sued by Porsche in the US. Porsche will soon be going after these builders as well. Donor car or not...Ferrari did it succesfully in the past but Porsche has an even better ace up the sleeve: The difference between Ferrari and Porsche is, that Porsche has developed a trademark that is not just limited to the name and herald. It is also the shape of the most recognized model in their lineup that has become their identity. They build that iconic 911 shape with that recognizable DNA for over 60 years without interruption, so it became part of their brand identity. Few brands were able to pull this off. With this added trademark design and shape, it is not up to Singer or any of these restomodders, to take this design and to make it theirs, either by slapping body panels on it or removing them. It is is still a car recognized as a Porsche. No matter that they sell them for 500.000 and up. The 911 is still part of Porsche's core brand. If Porsche decides in the future to compete in the 500K price range, they would find others like these already benefiting and cannibalizing their brand name. It is time for them to come up with their own design and build up their own iconic brand heritage...they sure know how to reach top quality but they will soon find out how difficult it is, when you cannot ride the waves that others created. Porsche has a valid point.
Interesting points
Can you really stop people buying cars, modifying them and reselling them?
Asking permission it's just like art I'd have to sort out copyright for logo images etc. I did a Citroen DS chapron stain glass panel and I contacted the Chapron family. I was met with hostility as they are fed up with people building replicas. I made the stain glass panel for myself and I cannot sell it.
In art it is a minefield also.
A guy built a Peugeot 504 pininfarina estate he's nervous to state his name. He did not approach pininfarina but had a 504 converted in Poland. It annoys me that it wears Pininfarina badges when he clearly has had no permission to fit let alone build the estate. It was featured in classic and sports car magazine last year.
@@hughoxford8735 Private citizens can of course do what they want, but iIf you have that as a business model I assume it would be, since you do marketing and make a profit on some other company's investments and trademarks. The market has licensing invented for that. This is not the same as what Ferrari and Tesla are doing, where you sign for limitations what you can and cannot do with the car when you buy from them.
Absolutely agree, this in not modification , it’s absolute stealing. RUF makes cars based on Porsche but there no Porsche logos on it. Also Porsche use Singer DSL intake design in rear window for there GT4RS
Glorious car! Great video - thanks Harry.
Wonderful as ever Harry..another one to add to my lotto win list ..keep them coming..
Harry’s garage at its very best, nails my idea of a perfect car, light, small, powerful, focused on driver enjoyment. Just a beautiful thing.
If money were no object, I'm sure we'd all want one of these on the drive!
Absolutely!
Ironically, a similar price to a fully loaded SF90! (but I know which I'd have!)
@@markorchard2272
A fully loaded SF90 is not 750k Pound. A highly optioned TM car is about 500-550.
No doubt a car like this or a Singer is better than an SF90 for a day out when it’s a special occasion. But as a car to live with, and for a road trip through Europe, the SF90 is far superior. You can of course wear earplugs, but that gets old fast.
In short. Not comparable cars at all.
Oh my! That is absolutely gorgeous.
Oh boy, what a beautiful car. Its the whole package. Thanks for sharing.
I would definitely check the box for the 6 speed gearbox!
If you ever had one, you'll know why...How Harry avoids the "Acquisition Syndrome " I have no clue !!! Thanks for sharing this one... I love the sound !
Honestly, I also don’t know how he avoids that (nice) problem (to have).
Discipline, I suppose.
While the man is by no means pour, I think 750k quid is steep even for him. Looking at his collection, what he has, and how he talks finances, I doubt he would be so inclined to fork out that much on a car. That he has never done. His most expensive car, the Zonda, was financed, and it later surfaced that there had been some issues there.
@@AB-80X You’re right. While he could, he wouldn’t. He’s smarter than that. It is a very tall order.
I love it, too. But not enough to hack into my one time capital reserve in early retirement.
@@GT380man
The Theon also presents another problem over a Singer for example. Granted, one should always be careful when it comes to looking at cars from the perspective of investments, but so far Singer has been fairly solid. So at least in that respect one can possibly look at getting back what one puts into the car. This brand has not made much in terms of PR waves, it's a tiny operation compared to Singer. This will obviously have an impact on future value. Is there a market for these? Yes absolutely, but it is not as strong as the market for Singer, RUF and Guntherworks. So when you put your money into a Theon, you put your money into a newcomer to a market that is somewhat saturated. I suspect it will become a very "British thing".
I would not be surprised if Metcalfe share similar sentiments. What I find totally bonkers, is how much more expensive it is compared to a classic Singer. Almost double the price.
I would just like an original 964 with the flags! Although I am sure these restomods are amazing, they sort of seem to be getting past the point since its lacking the restauration part of that word
Thank you Harry - Superb review as always - what a car!!
sounds glorious - would never get boring. modern reliability in a timeless design.
I agree Harry, borrowing your quote “It’s a mad world” when a car costs £750k. The cost of living seems out of control. Wages are simply not tracking the cost of living.
Anyway, loved the video, keep up the hard work 👍
The people buying these aren't on wages. Probably not affected by inflation and high interest rates in the way you and I are, and probably not paying a high percentage in tax either.
These kinds and cost of cars are toys for the mega rich, not the average enthusiast.
"The cost of living seems out of control. Wages are simply not tracking the cost of living." which is what allows the owner of this little car to do what he did, I suppose?
Kudos to the owner for letting even an expert like Harry thrash it down the lanes. There will inevitably be a stone chip or two after that. Great to see this car being used as most cars of this genre sit in air conditioned storage and don’t actually get driven. Well done Harry as always. 👍
Boring old point made over and over again.
@@mattmorris2867 yet yours is so original and thought provoking. Get back under your stone.
Probably ppf’d from factory
I enjoyed it immensely. In this mad, mad world we live in, who cares what it costs if delivers so much genuine pleasure. That’s value on a high level. I feel the same about my 2003 Mazda Protege. It’s a delight to drive and I can carry my dogs, and I can afford it. Happy days! Thanks Harry. This was a real treat.-
Super review Harry. That snarl on the over run is fantastic as was your obvious joy when driving the car.
Is there a cheaper way to get that soundtrack? Possibly. But if you've got the money, why bother when you can have this?
Really glad you enjoyed yourself so much. Thanks for sharing your unbridled pleasure, it was fun to watch. ❤
If ever I win the lottery, I won’t tell anyone but there will be signs. I think this will be one of them. Thank you for another quality video Harry.
You can build one yourself - $90k donor car, $80 4.0 engine, $20k 6-speed 993 gearbox, $100k full nut and bolt resto with turbo look body kit. For $290k you can have sth similar (although not made from CF), throw in $20k for a custom interior.
60% off
Are you even aware that he is not talking usd?
Silly comment.
@@AB-80X the prices in the UK are higher than in the US, so this somehow balances out.
@@Elberoth
No. I live in Scandinavia and own a Singer(chassis #197), I have a fairly good idea about their pricing on this side of the pond. With import etc. it is still nowhere near the equivalent of £750k. A classic Singer with import duties in the UK would be around £400-450k for a car with the 4.0 engine, ceramic brakes, 6 speed trans etc. The Theon is significantly more expensive, and for no apparent reason. Looking at the pricing Metcalfe presents, it is even more expensive than the new 930 Tribute Singer which starts at $650k which is still significantly less than £750k. Add 20% VAT and a bit extra, and you have the price in the UK. The Theon is by every sense of the word overpriced. Not that a Singer is a bargain or "reasonably priced", but it's a significant difference, especially considering what Singers are selling for on the used market. That is a luxury Theon does not have.
@@AB-80X I'm familiar with Singer (I'm actually EXTREMELY familiar with Singer). A Classic Study in a good spec is $850k Ex Works + donor car.
Fantastic! Really, really enjoyed this. Thank you so very much.
I love how Harry took the job of his friend and former motor journalist now become farmer . What a machine !
Absolutely stunning! I suspect the new owner was very trusting and that Footman James covered you fully.