In 2008, Speedhunters ran a series of features on Akira Nakai and his now-famous RAUH-Welt Begriff (RWB) brand.
It is not a stretch to say that Mike Garrett’s series was among the first – if not perhaps the very first – set of English language features on Nakai-san and his work with Porsche cars.
Even in 2008, the RWB brand had a retro-cool feel about it – and for good reason.
What Nakai-san was doing to the cars was not exactly new; wide-body Porsches existed long before he picked up a reciprocating saw. It’s not exactly a secret that Nakai-san’s work builds on what Porsche started with its 911 RSR models, however, it was the way that he applied the aesthetic that intrigued enthusiasts around the globe.
Nakai-san’s work passed through a filter of late nights, cigarettes, beer, personality, and uninhibited creativity. Wild cut-outs, flat paint, unique names, massive wheels, rough edges – it was a look few had previously dared to take with Porsches. Especially cars that didn’t live exclusively on the track.
Opinions were split almost immediately and Nakai-san seemed unbothered either way.
I met Nakai-san once, only briefly, when he was here in Toronto, Canada for a car show appearance. Sat at the end of a long line of people waiting for autographs, he was a man of few words. Yes, there was a bit of a language barrier, but his personality affirms that he’d rather let his work speak for itself.
Maybe I’m forgetful in my later years, but I don’t recall a single instance where Nakai-san has promoted himself.
Perhaps that is why the story of this Porsche 930 Turbo – which Nakai-san worked on in 2001 before RWB became a household name – nearly became lost to time. Thankfully, by skill or outstanding luck, Mark landed an exclusive photoshoot with this important piece of RWB history on his last visit to Japan.
The First Cut Is The Deepest
Outside of his personal projects, this car is considered the first Porsche 930 Nakai-san revised visually. Nearly two and a half decades ago, M’s Machine Works in Kawaguchi, Saitama commissioned him to design a new front bumper and lip spoiler.
He cut new vents into the front bumper and added canards. Below the new openings, Nakai-san installed a somewhat subdued version of the large black front lip spoiler he’s now known for. This 930 Turbo also predates the addition of Zweite Entwicklung (Second Development), because it was one of the first examples. It’s so early in the process that it also doesn’t bear a unique name.
Upon completion and positive reception, Nakai-san was asked to create new wide fenders for the car. The shape of those fenders served as a basis for the fenders he is now flown all around the world to fit.
In building this car’s exterior, one can only wonder if Nakai-san had any idea how far his work would take him in the future.
I’d wager neither party knew just how significant this job would become in shaping the future and longevity of RWB.
Performance Minded
Unlike many contemporary RWB builds, this 930 Turbo was never intended to be just a design exercise. In the early 2000s, the car was campaigned regularly on track.
One noteworthy acclaim during its competitive years is that it was included in an official Porsche yearbook.
By 2002, the Porsche was retired from racing and put into storage. Twenty years later, M’s Machine Works tore it down to its bare bones to begin the restoration process.
A 3.8L 993 GT2 race engine has replaced the original motor. This late-model motor, like the chassis itself, has some racing pedigree having been used in the 2011 Suzuka 1,000km race. Refreshed, it is now mated to a new 997 Cup sequential gearbox.
Inside, the car has a proper welded-in roll cage, Recaro seats and a suite of MoTeC electronics.
Porsche-exclusive Work Brombacher wheels – 18×10-inch front and 18×13-inch rear – are wrapped in appropriately-sized Pirelli rubber. Behind the wheels are large Brembos equipped with a Bosch Motorsport anti-lock brake system.
Throughout its life, the 930 Turbo has been built entirely at M’s Machine Works and the suspension is of their design, constructed exclusively from machined aluminum. Aragosta 3-way dampers are used to keep things composed.
Form follows function here, but the stance is rather aggressive all the same.
In 2023, a new wing extension was installed in keeping with some of the more modern RWB builds. An updated version of the original livery was also added.
As of writing, the restoration is ongoing and the car lacks a main wiring harness. M’s Machine Works has been slowly working on the car in between standard, and not-so-standard jobs – like the one above. Once complete, the aim is to enter the 930 into historic racing events, where it will be driven by Eiji ‘Tarzan’ Yamada.
I’m not exactly sure how many RWB cars exist today, but being among the first-ever built makes this car unique. Hopefully, the next time Mark swings back around to M’s Machine Works, this famed 930 Turbo will be ready for the track once more.
Dave Thomas
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Photography by Mark Riccioni
Instagram: mark_scenemedia