If you are a Porsche fan, you have probably come across the name RWB. It stands for RAUH Welt Begriff, which translates to Rough World Concept in German. "Rough” is exactly the word some would use to describe Nakai San’s work on Porsche 911s, but while divisive, his method of modifying the popular German sports car is what makes his builds truly unique. There are plenty of companies that delve into custom Porsche 911 builds, but RWB’s work stands out as the most outrageous wide-body Porsche 911s, made by the Japanese artisan.

Akira Nakai has been in the business of “chopping and cutting” Porsches since 1997 and it all started with his own 964 Carrera, which he named "Stela Artois”, after his favorite beer. Every RWB Porsche is distinctive and has a unique name. While they don’t release exact figures, it’s estimated that they have built around 500 RWB Porsches since the company’s inception in the late 1990s. These are my top 10 RWB builds of Akira Nakai, ranked by originality, name, and sheer awesomeness.

10. RWB Baymax

There is more than meets the eye with this Gran Prix White RWB Porshe. Based on a 1997 Carrera 2, the Baymax RWB Porsche features all exterior elements, associated with Nakai San’s builds. These include the massive, Kamiwaza double-deck rear wing, super-wide body, and obscenely deep-dish three-piece Rotiform wheels, to name a few. The car gives off 993 GT2 vibes.

The Bordeaux interior features a roll-bar, Momo Magnus Walker Limited Edition steering wheel, and Recaro bucket seats in Alcantara. Bilstein coil-overs and Toyota R888 improve handling while the 3.6-liter engine and six-speed manual remain unmodified. At the time of writing this, RWB Baymax is listed for auction at Sotheby’s. It’s also named after an animated character, which adds to the cool factor.

9. RWB Targa

Most custom Porsche 911 builds are based on the coupe models. Nakai San does not discriminate as testified by this 964 Targa build, simply named the RWB Targa. This is the first RWB Targa built for an American customer and the second car built for the U.S. market.

It is based on a 964 Carrera 2 and built in Los Angeles and features a Stage 2 Hakama RWB body kit, finished in Grand Prix White. The power source is a 3.6-liter flat-six mated to a five-speed manual. The RWB 964 Targa also features a KW3 coil-over suspension.

8. RWB Yoshiwara

A different type of RWB Targa can be seen in the form of the Yoshiwara. Based on the Porsche 993 Targa, the RWB Yoshiwara does not feature the typical Targa rollover hoop, a removable roof. Instead, it features a one-piece glass that spans the entire roof and ends at the deck lid. If the wide body and Targa roof aren’t crazy enough, the Yoshiwara is finished in a catchy Golden hue and features pronounced exhaust tips that seem to stick out about half a foot from the bodywork.

Originally, the car was equipped with a Tiptronic automatic, but Riko, Yoshiwara’s owner, swapped it out for a G50 manual. The interior has received a full racing treatment with a body-colored roll cage, a stripped cabin, and bucket seats with racing harnesses. Being a 1997 model year, the 993 Targa features a 3.6-liter, twin-spark flat-six engine, which has received some tasteful upgrades in the form of independent throttle bodies, new ECU, exhaust, and more.

7. RWB Shinkiro

Based on the Porsche 930 Turbo "Widowmaker”, Shinkiro was the third RWB Porsche, built for Russia. Nakai San built the Shinkiro 930 in Saint Petersburg, back in 2017, but not long after, the car returned to him for additional final touches, before entering the 2018 Madball Rally Europe.

The engine is a 3.3-liter air-cooled turbocharged, flat-six, and while the engine sound hints at a more radical exhaust setup, the exact horsepower figure is a mystery. The modified 930 Turbo is finished in what appears to be a version of Porsche’s Mint Green exterior shade. In many videos, the Shinkiro can be seen being driven the way it’s meant to be – flat out.

6. RWB Rotana

Nakai San’s goal for the RWB Rotana was to be the rawest race car. The purple 993 was meant to be an evolution of the RWB Stella Artoa – Akira Nakai’s first build and personal 964. Rotana is a 993 Turbo, which has received performance mods, including a GReddy turbocharger and a new exhaust, resulting in 575 horsepower. Interestingly enough, the 3.6-liter turbocharged engine comes from the 964 Turbo.

RWB’s full carbon-fiber widebody kit has been employed in all its force, including the rear fenders with custom ground effects, and a rear wing you can spot from the moon. The raw racecar look is finished with a rear bumper delete, which showcases the entire exhaust system. To keep the raw turbo power in check, the 14-inch-wide rear wheels are fitted with 345-section Kumho rubber.

5. RWB Rough Rhythm

Excess is the name of the game with this build. The RWB Rough Rhythm was built for Nakai San’s good friend, Toshiya Ichiraku, who helped Akira Nakai develop the RAUH Welt Begriff brand overseas. The owner of Rough Rhythm extensively features the car in videos, on what is likely, his YouTube channel. The build is based on a Porsche 993 Carrera 2. The 3.6-liter flat-six has been "massaged” to produce 310 horsepower – about 40 more than the stock car.

More importantly, the super-wide body features the mother of all RWB Porsche rear ends. At 2,080 mm, this is the widest rear end of any air-cooled Porsche 911 Nakai San has built so far. Like other RWB builds, the already substantial Whale tail rear spoiler just wasn’t enough, so an additional wing was mounted on top of it. If all that doesn’t catch your attention, the bright green paint will.

4. Ichiban Boshi

Also known as the Martini Porsche, this RWB build is a proper homage to the German brand’s motorsport heritage. The first Porsche to feature the Martini livery was the Porsche 917, which started Porsche’s obsession with turbocharging. Not long after, 911-based cars, bred for rallying and endurance racing donned the Martini livery. Ichiban Boshi roughly translates to "the highest star”.

The car started life as a 1989 Silver Anniversary 911 Carrera, which later received a 3.3-liter, turbocharged flat-six that produced 600 horsepower. In typical fashion, the center section of the rear bumper was cut to make way for the turbo and exhaust. At just 2,400 pounds, the RWB Ichiban Boshi has a crazy power-to-weight ratio.

3. RWB Adriana

The RWB Adriana is one of Nakai San’s personal builds and it has an interesting history. Visually, the 993 is very similar to the Rotana build, but with one big difference – the Salmon Pink exterior paint. Adriana was made to be a track car and in 2016, it was in an accident while racing the Idlers Club 12-hour race at Motegi in Japan. A lotus hit the pink Porsche 911 from behind causing it to hit the wall.

Even though the chassis was damaged, Nakai San worked his magic and restored the Adriana to its former glory, instead of writing it off. The 3.6-liter engine featured stock internals and the only known performance upgrades were coil-over suspension. A year before the 2017 crash, the exhaust melted Adriana’s fiberglass rear bumper and taillights. You would think the thing is cursed!

2. RWB Jezebel

RWB Jezebel looks to be one of Akira Nakai’s more refined builds. With the wide-body and Guards Red finish, it gives off Gunter Werks Turbo vibes. Granted, this build is based on the 930 Turbo instead of a 993, and to me, it looks like a Porsche 934 Group 4 race car, which also had a road-going variant. Akira Nakai built Jezebel for himself.

Its engine is left untouched and produces 300 horsepower and 270 pound-feet. The interior has been refurbished with Alcantara bucket seats, fresh carpets, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

1. RWB Martini

"Shaken, not stirred” is a phrase that comes to mind when I hear Martini. Well, this RWB build will both, shake you while stirring your soul. We already featured one RWB Porsche, featuring the iconic Martini livery, but this one is special for a different reason. This RWB 911 is based on the 993, which officially, never got the Martini livery.

To spice things up a bit, the racing livery is accompanied by Fuchs-style wheels with the obligatory, deep dish at the rear. While there is only one RWB Martini, recognized by the bonkers, three-deck rear spoiler, other RWB Porsches have received the Martini livery in one form or another.

GALLERY