Introduction
Just think… you’ve just spent crores and brought home a brand-new Porsche. Fresh delivery, zero scratches, showroom condition. Everyone would drive it safely, protect it, apply PPF, and keep it covered in the garage.
But what if you immediately send that brand-new Porsche to a workshop… and there its body is cut up with a grinder? Fenders are cut off, panels are removed, and its original shape is completely altered?
This sounds crazy. But multi-millionaires around the world happily send their brand-new Porsches to one man who does it all—and not only that, but is also globally respected for it.
He doesn’t just modify cars… he transforms them into art.
And that man’s name is Akira Nakai.
From Chiba, Japan to America, Europe and Australia—if anyone has redefined Porsche wide-body culture, it’s Akira Nakai.
He created a brand that has become not just a workshop, but a global movement—Rauh Welt Begriff (RWB).
In today’s article, we’ll learn how a simple drift enthusiast transformed one of the world’s most iconic sports car brands with his signature riveted wide-body style.
Who is Akira Nakai? (Early Life & Passion)
Akira Nakai was born in Japan. From childhood, Akira was a little different from other children because while children in their younger age paid attention to their studies.
Akira used to study the mechanics of cars in depth. Now as Akira grew older, his passion towards cars increased.
He started his journey with the drift crew Rough World. Rough World was a team which was very famous for its unconventional style and its driving techniques.
Let me tell you that Akira Nakai modified his first car, Saurino Ae86, so that it could be perfect for drift racing.
He not only upgraded the car’s performance but also its aesthetics, which made his work more professional over time.
Akira Nakai loved drift racing and hence, his passion and dedication towards drift racing led him to the field of car customization.
Birth of RWB (Rauh Welt Begriff) – 1997
After which, in 1997, Akira Nakai started Rauh Welt Begriff (rwb).
Inspired by the name Rauh World, this brand was intentionally established to customize air-cooled Porsches.
Let me tell you that the vision of this company was to create a perfect blend of Japanese precision and German engineering.
Akira Nakai’s approach was quite unique, as he treated every car as a piece of art.
He was so perfect in his work that the cars customized through him looked different from all others, due to which he set a standard in his work which is still unmatched in the car customization industry.
Akira Nakai while modifying every Porsche By incorporating his signature style, Akira’s company soon came into the notice of people from India and abroad because as I told you.
Akira’s modified cars were unique in the entire world and Akira’s vision was also that instead of making it a company, it should become a part of the global community.
Annual gatherings or events were also organized for RWB owners or fans where a car master could showcase his car.
Now Akira Nakai created such a platform where any car lover could come and share his passion and experiences with others.
Due to this, Akira Nakai’s innovation and creativity made him a legend in the car customization industry and hence today his work is not limited to Japan only but his work is recognized all over the world.
Inside RWB Workshop – A Day in Nakai’s Life
Let’s now talk about what a day is like for Akira Nakai in a workshop. Akira lives close to his workshop, and his day begins early in the morning.
The RWB workshop is located in Chiba, Japan.
This workshop is like holy ground for car enthusiasts. As soon as you enter the workshop, there is a creative and focused environment.
The walls are adorned with photos of automated arts and previous RWB projects.
His tools and equipment in the workshop are so organized and well maintained, such as air compressors, hydraulic lifts, power tools, and hand tools.
After completing each project, Akira Nakai personally checks the quality. His focus is always on perfection.
During work and lunch, Akira discusses ideas with his colleagues. So that he can work in a more efficient manner.
Then in the evening Akira Nakai cleans his workshop throughly and plans the tasks for the next day.
RWB Customization Process
Talking about his customization process, Akira’s designs are quite simple and unique, meaning the cars customized through him do not feel fancy.
Akira believes that cars are not just machines but a piece of art and hence, Akira gives his own personal touch to each of his customization projects.
In which he also includes the personality or reference of the owners. His aim is to make every car a masterpiece and everyone who sees it should be impressed by it.
Now, for this, Akira Nakai first does a detailed consultation with the car owner. In this meeting, he tries to understand the owner’s vision and expectations and then based on these requirements.
Akira makes a sketch. In this sketch, the new look or modification of the car is visualized. His focus during the sketching process is to maintain the originality of the car.
And also include a new RWB look Now if the sketch is approved then work on the car begins Original body parts are carefully removed so that the customization process can begin.
The next step is to install the wide body kits It is fitted to the frame of the car High equipment’s are used in this process.
And then after the installation is complete the painting of the car starts and in the last step the final touches are given to the car Other accessories are also included so that the look of the car can be complete.
Most Famous RWB Projects
Akira Nakai has also talked about some noticeable projects, first is Stella Artois RWB 930.
Second is Pandora One, third is Hoonigan RWB 964, Hoonigan was a favourite project of RWB, then comes RWB Rotana and last is RWB Austria.
RWB builds are quite popular in Australia and Akira Nakai has worked on multiple projects there, each customizing the client’s vision and local needs.
Challenges in Customization
Now let me tell you one thing, Akira Nakai has to work very hard in this work because to customize every car.
One has to face a lot of challenges like every car should have perfect fitment, high quality materials should be used in the right place and along with that.
Time has to be given to the car so that the client does not get noticed but this does not work in front of Akira Nakai because once Akira was called by a client from Russia.
And the amazing thing is that when that client went to drink coffee for 10 minutes.
Then Akira customized his Porsche The rear wing was cut, which means you are seeing the attitude, brother.
The rest of the major challenge that Akira always faces is to beat the expectations of the client.
Every client’s expectations and vision are different and Akira’s aim is to satisfy every client, so you can see the design of each of his cars.
There are other challenges too like 3D painting and use of advanced materials which have to be done absolutely correctly and with utmost care, otherwise there can be problem in the looks of the car.
RWB Pricing & Cost Structure
Apart from this, Akira Nakai’s schedule is so busy in his work that he does not get much time.
So many clients wait for months just to talk to Akira Nakai, but there are many clients who decide to buy a new Porsche just by asking Akira.
No matter how much time they spend in that car, and if you have a Porsche, and if you want some body parts or any other products of Akira Nakai.
Then it starts from 24 thousand dollars, and if you want to get it modified from Akira Nakai.
Then it can cost from 36 thousand dollars to 50 thousand dollars.
Till you have to spend, their flight tickets, team expenses and luggage transportation expenses have all been covered.
Conclusion
Today, if you go anywhere in the world and see an aggressively wide-body Porsche with visible rivets on its fenders, a low stance, and a bold personality—chances are it has a touch of RWB.
Akira Nakai didn’t just modify cars… he created a culture. He proved that perfection doesn’t just come from the factory, it also comes from a grinder and vision.
People don’t respect him because he cuts Porsche People respect him because he puts a clear vision behind every cut.
Even today, when a client entrusts their brand-new Porsche to him, it’s not just a modification project—it’s trust. They believe that when the car leaves the workshop, it won’t be a machine, but a masterpiece.
His schedule is so busy that clients wait for months. People decide to buy a Porsche on his behalf. And when he finally enters the workshop, cigarette in hand, focus in his eyes—another piece of art is about to be born.
Akira Nakai gave the world a simple message:
Cars aren’t just a means of transportation If there’s passion, they can become a canvas. And perhaps that’s why, when the world wants to preserve Porsche then some people send it to Japan to get it chopped up.
Because they know When Nakai wields the grinder, it’s not destruction, but creation.
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FAQs
1. How much does Akira Nakai charge for a car?
Akira Nakai’s RWB builds typically start around $24,000 for basic body parts and can go up to $36,000–$50,000 or more for full custom wide-body Porsche projects, including travel and team expenses.
2. Who is the CEO of Porsche RWB?
The founder and head of RWB (Rauh Welt Begriff) is Akira Nakai, who leads the brand’s vision, design, and customization projects, though RWB operates more as a creative workshop collective rather than a traditional corporate structure with a formal CEO title.