At Tokyo Auto Salon 2025, a pair of dark-colored Porsche 911s stopped me in my tracks. Initially, I wondered why these two understated cars were attracting so much attention – TAS is a visual feast for the eyes, after all. When I got up close, however, I saw why.
In front of me were two machines that stood out not for extreme body kits, loud paint, or crazy camber, but for an uncompromising level of execution. These 911s from 4LAWS – a subsidiary of Tokyo Custom Works – feature complete carbon fiber bodywork.
The cars remained in my mind for months after the show, and as I planned to return to Japan for Tokyo Auto Salon this year, I decided to contact 4LAWS and see if I could arrange a quick shoot of one of the 911s. Despite a chaotic event schedule, Wataru Asakura – the man behind these sublime creations – was happy to oblige.
You might be familiar with Tokyo Custom Works’ OLD & NEW brand, which creates complete Porsche 935-inspired slantnose body conversions for 996 and 997 variants. Likewise, 4LAWS is all about Porsche, but instead of widening modern chassis, they’re focused on narrow-body air-cooled cars, with carbon fiber at the heart of what the company’s small team of six in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, has been creating since this, their first build in 2019.
When you think ‘backdated Porsche,’ the name Singer Vehicle Design will undoubtedly spring to mind. Wataru-san mentioned that Singer’s obsessive craftsmanship inspired 4LAWS to create the very best cars they could, all the while showcasing as much Japanese artistry and engineering excellence as possible.
The transformation is far more than skin deep; every possible body component has been replaced with a custom resin infusion-reinforced carbon fiber equivalent. In fact, the only original piece of the 930 frame that remains is the floorpan.
For the exterior, 4LAWS intentionally avoided overfenders, opting instead to widen the factory narrow-body 930 lines just the right amount. This combines with the pre-1974 911/912 backdate, bringing the desirable long-hood look into the equation.
To anchor the vision, the car sits perfectly on a set of classic RS Watanabe wheels – 15×8.5-inch (-6) at the front and 15×9.5-inch (-39) in the rear, the latter being a custom order. The iconic eight-spoke design screams ‘Japan’ while providing a period-correct contrast to the carbon exterior.
The interior is also a play on contrast, featuring a full carbon fiber dashboard housing classic Porsche VDO gauges, framed by a wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel and high-bolstered seats finished in red leather with blue-and-red tartan inserts.
Despite the significant reconstruction inside and out, the car’s aesthetic remains one of calculated restraint. Wataru-san’s goal with this car was simple: to create a bespoke 911 defined by the pleasure of Sunday drives, not by the search for a faster lap time. That’s why it still uses the original 930-spec 3.0L engine and transmission; the same goes for the suspension and brakes.
As I wrapped up the shoot and thanked Wataru-san for his time, I couldn’t help but realize that sometimes the most unforgettable cars aren’t the ones that scream the loudest.
