It was Christmas, the time of year when many people come together with their families and close friends to celebrate the holiday season. However, last year, Akira Nakai had other plans. He spent a few days in December building not one, but two RAUH-Welt Begriff (RWB) Porsches in Romania.
The Romanian modified and custom car scene has really started to come into its own over the past few years, and 2025 was no exception. From more Romanian-built cars making their way to international events, to a higher standard of builds, and an increase in local events, it was a great year. And what a way to top it off, with having Nakai-san visit.
Over the course of four days, Nakai-san set out to build two 964 Carrera 4s, the first being the blue car with the Gulf-inspired livery. The second had a Coca-Cola theme. Both cars featured the RWB decklid and wing, but only the red one received rear fender wings.
The number of people who came out to see Nakai-san weave his magic was impressive. Sure, not everyone loves the RWB concept and build methods, but many don’t understand the history and raw nature of these cars.
Some spectators brought along RWB diecast models to have Nakai-san sign. Seeing some of these models was a trip down memory lane for me. It’s been more than a decade since I began reading about RWB and other Porsche tuners and affiliated names in Japan, like Promodet and Idlers. Someone even brought along a copy of the Need for Speed 2015 reboot, in which Nakai-san featured on the cover alongside other car culture personalities. Nakai got excited when he saw it and said he remembers the game very well. I wonder if it’s because of what happens to RWB Stella Artois in the storyline…
It’s impossible not to respect what Nakai-san does with these builds, especially if you are into modified Porsches and the Japanese time attack scene. What many people don’t realize is that while the total number of RWBs in existence is now close to 600, the overall percentage of Porsche 911s tweaked by Nakai is still extremely small. So, despite what social media might convey, that makes them rare and unique.
Statistics aside, I had a good time watching Nakai-san work over the four days. I attended every day, because I didn’t want to miss anything – from how the widebody components look both on the inside and outside, before and after installation, to Nakai-san’s technique. I know RWB builds have been covered in countless videos on YouTube, but nothing beats seeing them in person. There’s an energy that just can’t be captured.
The RWB widebody kit itself is some of the best quality automotive fiberglass I’ve ever seen. I paid special attention to how well the individual parts fitted, and was surprised by how precise they were. The bumpers and fender flares seemed to have just enough flex to absorb some impact without cracking. After all, they were originally designed for track abuse.
The transformation process began with the bumpers and then moved onto the fenders, which, unlike the 993 GT2 components they’re inspired by, flow together in what I consider a positive design upgrade. Despite what some people think, Nakai-san takes countless measurements along the way, ensuring everything is aligned and the fit is perfect before he cuts. With new wheels and tires a prerequisite for the RWB widebody upgrade, he also pays special attention to the suspension geometry and ride height.
To say Nakai-san is ‘locked in’ while he’s working would be an understatement. He knows exactly when to take a break and does not joke around until then. However, in the last few hours of the second build, he worked while wearing a Santa hat, which was a bit of fun. He finished the car by applying the iconic ‘RAUH-Welt’ windshield banner and signing the dashboard of the red 964, quoting “the second in Romania, first on Christmas,” which was an emotional moment for many and widely appreciated.
Later, we had the opportunity to shoot some more shots of the cars under red lights and alongside a Christmas tree, where I was able to catch everything in one frame. I had never shot with an actual camera until Nakai-san came to Romania; everything I photographed before was just with my phone. Some camera functions and settings still seem like rocket science to me, but I’m really proud of how my first-time photos turned out.
I’ve always thought the subject and story beat the production quality, and when it comes to a double RWB build in a new country, it doesn’t get any better.
