Rauh Welt Begriff: The Story of Porsche's Most Polarizing Tuner

"Matt Kirsch" (makirsch)
03/27/2015 at 12:55 • Filed to: None

138

His phone is pink. His favorite beer is Stella Artois. And his Porsches are among the most controversial on the planet. This is the story of Akira Nakai and his tuning company - Rauh Welt Begriff (RWB).

Now known for his outrageous Porsches, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! got his start in a very different scene. A member of the Rough World drift crew in Japan, Nakai started out modifying and drifting the iconic AE86. It was during this time that he began to make a name for himself in the tuning world.

It wasn't until later in the 1990s that Nakai got his first real exposure to Porsches. This introduction came in the form of a damaged 911 while working in a body shop. Hooked by his encounter with the flat-6-wielding German, Nakai bought his first Porsche - a 930 - at the age of 28. That 930 would go on to become his first and perhaps most famous convert.

Modern RWB fans know that most all of RWB's cars receive personal names from Nakai. A reflection of both owner and car, these names range from "Targa" to " !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ." Nakai's first 930 was no exception and is affectionately known as Stella Artois.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Six years after purchasing a then stock Stella Artois, Nakai officially founded Rauh Welt Begriff. The rest is history.

According to literal German translations, "rauh" means rough, "welt" means world, and "begriff" means concept. RWB, or Rough-World Concept, pays !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! to Nakai's drift roots, his driving style, and build mentality - some might call RWB's riveted bodywork imperfect, but Nakai thinks of it as giving a car character and soul.

Each build features new front and rear bumpers, side skirts, and fenders. Customers have options when it comes to fenders - wide (either street or track) or the almost comical narrow. I am by no means complaining, but it is safe to say that Nakai and I differ in our definitions of "narrow." Most builds feature some form of wing ranging from the multi-level monsters to the poised ducktails. RWB also offers suspension packages, wheels, and further aero bits like canards and fender wings.

Nakai interviews each RWB customer to get a sense of the build that will compliment a client's style and the vehicle's intended purpose. Then, the build components are shipped to customers (assuming international conversion) who have the pieces painted prior to Nakai's arrival. Finally, when Nakai and his bag of tools arrive at a customer's garage, the process begins.

Nobody dares question Nakai's work ethic. Work begins immediately upon arriving at a customer's garage. He is known to work through the nights and complete conversions in a matter of days. The Energizer Bunny runs on Energizer Max. Nakai runs on cigarettes and the occasional Stella.

It goes without saying that Nakai must cut body panels before fitting his new aero bits. In his seemingly sleep-deprived state, he still makes cuts strictly by eye. I recall reading about one US customer worrying as he added a tow hook mid-build. He held his breath as Nakai cut the front bumper freehand only to find the cut to be flawless, the gap around the hook to be perfectly equidistant.

Each RWB creation is built with form and function. Nakai admittedly builds his Porsches mainly for the way they look. The added functionality of a wide-tire Porsche, though, is welcomed. He is no stranger to the track, and he and his Japan-based customers often assemble for RWB-only track events on circuits like Tsukuba. In fact, many customer cars are purpose-built track toys.

It was the track-oriented race 993s that initially drew me to RWB. It is the comparatively tamer narrow 930s and 964s, however, that keep me coming back. You just can't beat a narrow 930 sporting a ducktail or Nakai's new 964 inspired by the IROC race cars of the 1970s.

Search the Internet and you will come across some !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! of Nakai and his Porsches. "Hide your aircooled Porsches," they say, but I disagree. Modifying cars is and always will be hugely debated, but it's hard to disagree with Nakai's logic. According to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , "Basically, tuning a car is freedom. It is in your own way. There are no rules and regulations. You can do whatever you like." Nakai isn't fazed in the least by his critics, and for that, I admire him and his creations even more. I look forward to the future of RWB and wish Nakai the best of luck in his pursuit of the wildest Porsches on the planet.

Photo Credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Content: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

DISCUSSION (100)

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 12:43

I like them, I'd love one as a track only car if I was a richer dude. Don't think I could drive something that low and wide on the road much though.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 12:44

Wow, those are great!

Matt Kirsch > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
03/27/2015 at 12:53

They seem to make great track cars. Driving one on the street would definitely be an experience!

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 13:08

I think it'd definitely get some attention. Possibly for the wrong reasons, I'd need ramps to get it over the speed bumps on my street haha.

Matt Kirsch > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
03/27/2015 at 13:35

There's at least one US 993 that is on air bags. Definitely makes it livable on the street but kills it for me.

Roadster Man > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 14:08

Awesome! I had no idea that RWB kinda started with AE86's. That is super cool. I admire his work and his attitude. I hear the waiting list to have him work on your car is years long...

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 14:19

Great write up! I've always been curious about his cars, some are way over the top while others are just perfect.

Tripper > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 14:37

Words cannot express my distaste for these "cars"

Matt Kirsch > Roadster Man
03/27/2015 at 14:37

I didn't know that about the wait! He's definitely taken off in the last few years.

Matt Kirsch > StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8
03/27/2015 at 14:50

I agree completely! There's actually a lot of functionality in the over the top builds, especially when some customers are pushing crazy turbo hp. But like you, the tamer ones are way more my style.

Matt Kirsch > Tripper
03/27/2015 at 14:53

You're not alone, and I understand where you're coming from. Different strokes for different folks.

Raphael Orlove > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 15:08

Awesome writeup! Could you link to what sources you used?

Matt Kirsch > Raphael Orlove
03/27/2015 at 15:58

Just did! Would love to see this fp. Feel free to share if you like!

AMGWTFBBQ > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 16:04

I don't understand how anyone couldn't love these cars.

Matt Kirsch > AMGWTFBBQ
03/27/2015 at 16:08

A lot of the purists hate that he's chopping up some super clean air cooled Porsches, as there aren't exactly a lot of them on the road anymore. I understand where they're coming from, but really do love his work!

ratonbox > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 16:57

I refuse to think that there are people who don't like him . Or at least respect him. You may not be a Porsche person (I'm not one either), but his craftsmanship deserves my tip of the hat.

Cheesewhiz > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 16:58

Kinja'd!!!

Track Miata need no stick-on flares.

burninaballoffire > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 17:00

i really am in love with these bolt on wide body kits that are very flush and smooth with the body and shape. i think the bolt on universal fender flares look ok on some cars, but on a porsche/lambo etc it just wont do. these new styles allowing RIDICULOUS size tires, and i wish i knew someone who had one so i could feel how much grip a 13" or so rear tire would have.

GrindhouseJho > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 17:01

Never been a fan of Porsches, prolly wont be... if I ever have the means however, I'd drop the cash to get one of these. You have to respect someone who recognizes ones personality and tries to project that on an automotive canvas, what he does isn't measured in work ethic but passion. Good for him.

RedWhine > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 17:05

So in love with Royal Ocean. The paint / wheel combo on this car are just perfect. The dark blue gloss adds just the right touch of class.

Kinja'd!!!

Rick Cavaretti > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 17:08

Didn't know you get get a beer from Belgium in Japan. Lucas refrigerators still popular there?

Matt Kirsch > burninaballoffire
03/27/2015 at 17:19

Definitely! Me too! Some of the RWBs are running big turbos so the wide tires are critical.

Matt Kirsch > GrindhouseJho
03/27/2015 at 17:19

Couldn't agree more!

Matt Kirsch > RedWhine
03/27/2015 at 17:20

I think that's my favorite 993 too!

Pops_McAwesome > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 17:20

Thanks for sharing this. I guess I'm kinda liberal when it comes to Porsche modifications - except when it comes to engines. The body mods I'm cool with.

Matt Kirsch > ratonbox
03/27/2015 at 17:22

I am a Porsche person, and really do like him. However, some of the purists hate him for "corrupting" a diminishing number of air cooled examples. Peruse the Porsche forums and you will find some very vocal people. That being said, some of the purists are starting to come around a bit.

Matt Kirsch > Rick Cavaretti
03/27/2015 at 17:24

Not sure! I do know that he fell in love with Stella while in Belgium and am assuming he has it imported to Japan. His customers often have a nice stash of Stella waiting in their garages for him haha

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 17:27

Man, I love the RWB Porsches.

Great write up btw! Definitely learned some stuff I didn't know before. I think Nakai-san should pay homage to his AE86 roots with a kit for the FR-S/GT86! :D

VeeArrrSix now powered by FA20F > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 17:32

Kinja'd!!!

I'm a fan.

foxbody > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 17:35

I am on team 'RWBs look like ass.' Bolt-on fenders - christ.

Flame on

James > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 17:40

I just wish people stopped thinking they invented the bolt-on fenders and aero look. I mean... it's literally copied from the racetrack.

KenHamNo > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 17:44

Do you refer to all non-Japanese as Mr. So-and-so? Why do you keep calling him Nakai-san?

techinsanity2011 > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 17:45

Didn't they also make a purple one, or am I dreaming?

Matt Kirsch > KenHamNo
03/27/2015 at 17:56

A quick google search showed "san" as an honorary title, and I've seen it used (or not) with Nakai. I did not fully know what it meant, and it has since been changed. I appreciate calling it to my attention!

inlinesexzylinder > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 17:56

Great article, good read. I personally love RWB, and I don't know why... It's maybe the mix of German engineering, Japanese soul and craziness, the 911 design alone and dem hips . It's so wrong to do such modifications to a 911 that it's just super cool.

Here are some additional links from my bookmarks:

http://www.speedhunters.com/2008/09/car_fe…

http://www.speedhunters.com/2011/01/behind…

(just search for "RWB" on SH and you'll find many articles)

Kinja'd!!!

Matt Kirsch > techinsanity2011
03/27/2015 at 17:58

Kinja'd!!!

At this point, he's made tens of them (I still think it's probably less than 100). Here's one of many purples

HKSpeed > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 17:58

Great article. It is great to see different 911 tuners/restorers like RWB, Singer, and Magnus Walker. Different flavors for different tastes.

Matt Kirsch > VeeArrrSix now powered by FA20F
03/27/2015 at 18:02

I could go for one of those shirts and some barbecue right about now…

aschen > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 18:02

The white IROC (or is it RSR?) inspired car is the first RWB car I have liked. It is easy to get a bit high and mighty about tunning being a highly personal thing. It is true in the context of performance goals, but doing a bunch of work on a car mostly for looks over function or performance goals has never been cool in my eyes. The cars are built to a very high standard I am told however.

Ricardo Landgrave > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 18:02

I'm on the LOVE side, this cars are gonna be future classics. Like it or not purists

Fuel_of_Satan > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 18:04

As I read "Hide your aircooled Porsche's" I was reminded of an article by the same name , I guess that's no coincidence, where they mentioned the purist point of view.

The good news? RWB's "expertise" runs pretty shallow. Akira Nakai isn't running Rinspeed or Ruf. He probably doesn't understand the cars well enough to make major changes on them. Twenty years from now, a future owner of this car will be able to restore the 965 back to stock. Sure, it will cost money, particularly in the rear quarter-panels (and the suspension, which will almost certainly be ruined by the ridiculous wheels) but it will be possible.

Hideously offensive, but there is some truth there. They are not beyond "rescue".

OdinThe1337 > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 18:09

All Porsches look the same to me, apart from the old RS and the ducktail. Was never a big fan but they are growing on me.

I like the older and ducktail originals. But these things look amazing. To me they are really cool and are what Porsche is about. Drive daily, have fun and personalize. No garage queens and not holy so don't touch.

I might pick one up dome day, a pre-IMS debacle one. Would seriously consider this treatment.

Nice article!

KenHamNo > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 18:15

Thanks for your polite response to my rather brusque comment! Yeah, it's an honorific, similar to Herr in German or Monsieur in French. Most English newspapers and magazines no longer use honorifics when writing about subjects of any nationality (e.g. they'll just refer to Obama or Merkel or, for that matter Abe, the Japanese PM). The use of -san in English is a bit of an otakuism. Once again, thanks for being so chill and making the changes!

SpiroAgnew > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 18:19

These are the only porshe's I've ever gave a damn about.

The World of Vee > RedWhine
03/27/2015 at 18:20

Yeah it looks excellent when it isn't matte. I think matte is really played out.

SurfSwitch > foxbody
03/27/2015 at 18:23

I'm with you. I've seen the videos of thesee being made and it's all hacked together crap anyway regardless of what it looks like.

moejr > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 18:25

"Tuner" seems to be a misnomer. He appears to be more of a "body-kitter".

HoonBeerSleepRepeat > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 18:26

Lots of respect for Nakai, we need more talented and devoted tuners/designers like him that don't care what others think and choose to have their customer base decide what is "cool" or "beautiful." As for the cars themselves, I see the cool factor in some of his more outrageous builds but the understated ones are where its at in my eyes. I would love one of the narrow 930's, they just ooze awesomeness in my mind.

doraemoniscute > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 18:41

I remember loving RWB long long ago (seeing them in Option magazines) before they started to become a cult phenomenon, and I can see where all the hatreds and loathing comes from. To me, there were always 2 groups of Porsche owners; 1) traditionlists and 2) brand whores. The traditionalist are typically older and more conversative, and they love their classic Porsches and value the OEM lines, and they may or may not be track lovers that values speed. The brand whores are typically people that don't know jack about cars but wants the brand. RWB is introducing a 3rd group into the mix, which is the tuner crowd, which can be gawdy, wild, flamboyant in their ways. This almost ensures push backs from the tradionalist group who are often against modifications, especially wild cosmetic types.

Alazander2 > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 18:42

Like his designs or not, I've always considered Akira Nakai to be one of the coolest men in the world. It's always been clear that he builds cars because it is his true passion, and that his motivation is to give the drivers of his cars and the people who see them driving around a moment of fun and brightness in a world that can be, well, a bit rough.

Best of all though is how RWB is more than just another bolt-on bodykit. There seems to be a real family atmosphere that remains long after the job is done, hence why so many owners from all over the world turn up to race alongside each other at the Idlers 12 Hours at Motegi.

Some of the builds I will admit are not to my taste at all. But my respect for Nakai and his company is huge.

Saving4F80 > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 18:43

It's a combination of art and rape

I hoon, therefore I am > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 19:03

Just to hammer home the point: don't ask legendary tuners for beer advice, just like you shouldn't ask brewmasters for car buying advice.

I hoon, therefore I am > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 19:03

Just to hammer home the point: don't ask legendary tuners for beer advice, just like you shouldn't ask brewmasters for car buying advice.

Uranium > Fuel_of_Satan
03/27/2015 at 19:04

By then though, they'd be chastised for ruining a legit RWB car.

ratonbox > Fuel_of_Satan
03/27/2015 at 19:11

Talking about hideous and ridiculous cars... Rinspeed and Ruf. Sure, Ruf makes some good performance cars (widow-makers, to be honest), but boy are their cars butt-ugly and frog faced.

Blondude > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 19:16

Kinja'd!!!

As much as I love his usual style of riveted-on fenders, these are my two favorite cars from RWB.

ratonbox > Fuel_of_Satan
03/27/2015 at 19:18

Also, just read that article and found one of funniest things I've ever read:

"The enthusiasts of the future may not know what a proper short-wheelbase 911 looks like, or a '79 SC, or a '95 Turbo, unless you keep yours the way it was meant to be."

It's easy, just like any other Porsche out there. :))

Nate > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 19:24

Kinja'd!!!

I'm partial to this particular one....

OneMoreTimeAgainandAgain > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 19:51

I think Stella is a shitty beer, and his cars are ugly.

Fortunately, we live in a somewhat free world, and he can continue to make things I don't care about.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 20:09

Kinja'd!!!

Want

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 20:12

Ever since I found about these about 7 or 8 years ago, I've sworn that I will have one someday. It will happen.

Can you imagine, a RWB/Singer/Sharwerks collaboration? I can barely imagine how awesome that would be.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > SurfSwitch
03/27/2015 at 20:15

It's definitely, absolutely not "hacked together crap" - you can dislike it, but don't mischaracterize it.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > James
03/27/2015 at 20:16

I don't think anybody thinks they invented it, but they were one of the first to popularize it on road cars.

oldirtybootz > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 20:18

I love 911s and am generally a purist with cars in general, but I just dig the look of these things. That 993 in particular looks fantastic. Given the name and fact that he tunes Porsches, I actually thought RWB was a German firm for quite some time.

And I would love to see water cooled RWBs. Mmmm, wide bod 996...

Clouds > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 20:32

Kinja'd!!!

God, I love classic Corollas.

alexcheet > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 20:38

I hardly consider Nakai one of the the most polarizing porsche tuners especially when you consider the likes of Rinspeed, Gemballa, and Koenig *barf*

Kinja'd!!!

FLYONWALL9 > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 20:52

Dear Lord and Sweet Baby Jesus,

Please let this man put down the air saw and calk gun. He is responsible for so many folks ruining good 993's. Now, if the car has been smashed to bits, by all means make it wide x10. But please Lord, bring him into the light. It should be noted, a RWB was on fleabay just a couple weeks ago with a reserve of 150k or some such crap. You guessed it, no sale. Price lowered to something like 125k, errrr didn't sale. In a world where 993's often fetch well over 80k (for nice examples) and 130k for a turbo, why anyone would pay the kind of coin he charges for his cars is beyond me....... Some of the other examples you show in this article, for the most part will recover all the money at resale. I am of the thinking RWB is a fad that I hope will fade the way of the Gamballa kits of the 80's.... Can you tell, I'm not a fan? :)

FLYONWALL9 > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 20:54

Dear Lord and Sweet Baby Jesus,

FLYONWALL9 > James
03/27/2015 at 20:56

he is only doing what Porsche did with the GT2, only MUCH MUCH worse...

360ad > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 20:58

Has any past and current Porsche factory drivers driven and reviewed one of these RW cars? curious how they really are from the perspective of a pro.

FLYONWALL9 > aschen
03/27/2015 at 20:58

I think it is the only one I have ever seen where he didn't take an air saw and a hand full of sheet metal screws and called it a day. Actual body work makes a world of difference.

Fuel_of_Satan > ratonbox
03/27/2015 at 21:06

I think it was just meant that they have a different level of expertise doing complete customizations of everything . Rinspeed gets a lot of attention for their ridiculous concepts, but they do more moderate stuff which is quite nice and even classic restorations. I don't really see any problem with RUF, even Porschephiles are usually accepting of those. No more or less butt-ugly and frog faced than a normal Porsche.

Both of those companies usually start out with brand new cars or shells and not a dwindling supply of older models though.

That whole article is hilariously "purist", a fun read, but I think there is some semblance of truth in my quote. From the ones I've seen the engine work, if any, is done elsewhere independent of Rauh-Welt's work. Fender flares, bumpers, spoilers and interior can be reversed without much more work than the rust repairs some of them see. If the car is rare enough it might be worth it at some point.

It's funny he would mention two fairly common models for his comparison. We already know most Porsches ever made are still serviceable today, though that is likely to change a lot with cars from the 90's and up.

FLYONWALL9 > FLYONWALL9
03/27/2015 at 21:09

Now if you would like to see a 911 that went through a true owner modification that is form, function, and insane clean looks. Follow the below link....................... plusly, his featured garage is also a work of art

https://www.google.com/search?q=Jack+…

bmw325_num99 > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 21:14

Kinja'd!!!

Nice! Love this ducktail RWB. I thought he only did huge wings instead of old-school looking 911s.

Fuel_of_Satan > Uranium
03/27/2015 at 21:15

Maybe. They're "just" body kits though. Don't get me wrong, I dig Rauh-Welt Porsche's and I think they look incredible, but I'm sure we can find examples of old tuner cars made by companies famous in their day returned to stock in later years due to rarity of the base vehicle or the modifications aging poorly.

We can certainly find examples that are ridiculed today for what the moron owner did to it 10-20-30 years ago, they just may not be worth putting back to stock and keeps changing hands in "tuned" condition for a lower premium than a stock example.

I don't know Porsche's or Rauh-Welt's work well enough to know if he's done anything to any particularly rare cars. 930 Turbo's are probably the rarest cars he's done so it's unlikely to present a problem for anyone, ever.

brazilians only drive stick > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 21:25

Kinja'd!!!

Good Lord. This is gorgeous.

Just Joshing > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 22:18

I'm not a huge fan of his builds but that blue one rubs me in all the right ways.

Stef Schrader > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 22:53

Kinja'd!!!

Man, I'm really not an RWB fan, but this is thoroughly wonderful. Love the smooth bodywork for a change. And (of course) the ducktail!

techinsanity2011 > Matt Kirsch
03/27/2015 at 23:35

I found the one I was thinking of.

Kinja'd!!!

BurnKinjaBURN > Matt Kirsch
03/28/2015 at 00:30

This is the kind of article that makes me thank the stars for Jalops. Only problem now is how much want was just injected into my brain.

BurnKinjaBURN > Matt Kirsch
03/28/2015 at 00:40

Kinja'd!!!

found this one on RWB's Thailand page.

BurnKinjaBURN > techinsanity2011
03/28/2015 at 00:43

Nice

BurnKinjaBURN > Matt Kirsch
03/28/2015 at 00:46

Stella is in Thailand, I'm sure they're have it in Japan as well, only double priced from import tax.

tony decker > Matt Kirsch
03/28/2015 at 00:58

i must admit, i mostly click on these articles for the pics/vids of the cars, but I was more interested in this beautiful piece that you wrote about RWB. I didnt know what to do first, read or look at these beautiful creations. great work Mattk

tony decker > Matt Kirsch
03/28/2015 at 00:58

tony decker > Matt Kirsch
03/28/2015 at 00:59

Kinja'd!!!

myTotaledTahoe > Matt Kirsch
03/28/2015 at 03:29

Nakai admittedly builds his Porsches mainly for the way they look.

Exactly. Call it what it is, stance/rice whatever. There are no engine mods. Whatever handling imporovments are by accident.

Copied designs by a drunk nicotine addict who outsources any actual inmprovments to the vehicle is not worthy of the fame he has recieved

m2m, apex detective > Matt Kirsch
03/28/2015 at 07:02

Rivets can look great. I might have been exposed to NFS Porsche earlier in my life, though.

Kinja'd!!!

Shiyal > Matt Kirsch
03/28/2015 at 08:43

These are quite simply some of the most beautiful Porsches on the planet.

CALUSA > Matt Kirsch
03/28/2015 at 09:51

Favorite tuner together with Libery Walk!

godblessE39 > Cheesewhiz
03/28/2015 at 12:10

Some need more than Track Miata.

godblessE39 > Matt Kirsch
03/28/2015 at 12:22

I love about 80% of the RWB cars out there, and I love "pure" Porsches as well. There are a handful of RWBs that are bit too over the top for me (like the three-tiered spoilers on some East Asian-owned cars). Then you have "budget" owners, some coming from the tuner/skateboarder realm, that want that look, but won't invest any more money into really making it into a beast many of these RWB cars are known for. I think one guy owns one like the one I described and barely drives it at all.

Dave-O > Matt Kirsch
03/28/2015 at 12:34

I can't get enough of his cars and his own personal style.

On my staircase at home, where one would normally hang family photos on the wall going up the stairs, I have framed photos of Nakai's cars.

A RWB car is at the very top of my hypothetical 'if I won't the lottery' list.

Dave-O > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
03/28/2015 at 12:39

if I could give you more stars for this comment I would. Some people just don't get it

Dave-O > James
03/28/2015 at 12:40

who is pretending they invented it?

WINGZERO > Matt Kirsch
03/28/2015 at 12:44

I really should frequent Oppo more often. As it also seems many have left Jalopnik for Oppo, there are top posts here.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Dave-O
03/28/2015 at 13:44

Thanks. I'm all for differences of opinion, but I'm not for intentionally mischaracterizing to somehow justify your tastes. If you don't like it, don't like it. But don't say it's something it's not.

Dave-O > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
03/28/2015 at 13:50

exactly

Matt Kirsch > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
03/28/2015 at 13:55

I agree wholeheartedly! Some of RWB's biggest critics will gladly admit that his attention to detail and the quality is unrivaled.

Matt Kirsch > Fuel_of_Satan
03/28/2015 at 14:00

I actually read that article myself a while back, and it is hyperlinked in the conclusion. If I remember correctly, some of the stuff the author said about Gemballa was way out of line. That being said, as you mentioned, there is some truth to the rescue part. I really am curious to watch the collectibility of these things over time. A very nice RWB 993 struggled hard on ebay recently which is hard to understand considering the popularity and rarity of conversions.