FYI: Akira Nakai’s legendary RAUH-Welt Begriff (RWB) craftsmanship recently took center stage in Indonesia, marking an unforgettable moment for automotive enthusiasts.
Ever since William Bakajing introduced me to the RAUH-Welt Begriff world with his iconic RWB Porsche 993, Tsubaki, seeing one of Akira Nakai’s custom builds in person became a dream. Last month, that dream materialized at the ‘RWB Experience’ in Indonesia, fulfilling my long-held aspiration.
### An Idea in 2019
In 2019, William and I mulled over his next RWB project—a 997 Turbo. Nakai-san, renowned for pioneering RWB’s signature style, had started a new chapter in RWB history, and I was eager to capture William’s build in real-time. The debut of the 997RWB prototype at the 2020 RWB New Year’s Party ignited excitement, but the advent of COVID-19 put our plans on hold. Throughout the hiatus, I stayed in touch with William for updates and frequently revisited Dino’s “Building the RWB 997” series for inspiration.
### The Big Day in August 2024
Fast forward to August 2024, the stage was set on a sunny day at Ivan’s Motor Pic 2, a site 30km from Jakarta, Indonesia’s bustling capital. It was here that William’s 997RWB modifications would finally come to life.
Nakai-san aimed to transform four vehicles during his week-long visit to Indonesia, with each build taking approximately two days. The first project was Ivan’s 993, RWB Indonesia #10 Susanoo, while William’s 997.2 Turbo was the third in line, a centerpiece of the event.
### Capturing Nakai-san’s Mastery
Inspired by Dino, my goal was to capture every nuanced movement of Nakai-san’s handiwork: from taping and gluing to intricate wireframe work and trimming the bumper. Each step offered a window into his world.
The cutting phase was especially striking, accentuating the transformation from a standard car into a widebody RWB masterpiece—a process sure to make purists tremble.
### Transforming a Proven Racer
For those worried about the modifications, rest assured this 997 wasn’t a novice. It’s already a seasoned track car, previously cut, stripped, and tuned for peak performance. It even holds a local lap record.
### Constructing the 997RWB
The 997’s body presented unique challenges with its dual-layer metal structure. However, previous modifications had facilitated Nakai’s task, simplifying gaps with sealants and aluminum tape.
Visual changes were immense, particularly with the Turbo body kit—far more expansive than a standard 997. The intake required special attention, with additional cuts for optimized airflow. Nakai even improvised with help from RWB Kuala Lumpur when he realized he had forgotten his turbo template.
### Handling Technical Hurdles
Unlike older 911 models, the 997’s gas cap posed an interference with the RWB body kit, which Nakai addressed by altering the cap and hinge system.
Day one saw significant progress, while day two focused on the finishing touches.
### Day Two: Final Flourishes
The next day started with renewed vigor, with Nakai-san perfecting details such as fender liners—an often overlooked aspect of RWB builds.
### Special Additions
William’s build featured noteworthy elements like a prototype wing specifically designed by Nakai-san. He shared that the project had been an enlightening experience, revealing new insights during the build process. The massive wing also needed a support crossbar to prevent excessive flexion.
### Attention to Detail
Nakai-san’s meticulous nature shone through as he revisited sealant lines, fender alignments, and even the trunk lid gaps to achieve precision.
Additional touches included double canards, enhancing the car’s aggressive look complemented by the large wing.
### The Grand Unveiling
With everything in place, the 997RWB—dubbed “Tsubasa,” which means wing—was ready for its grand reveal. Named in honor of William’s son, Nakai hoped the name would inspire strength and protection for his sisters.
### A Culmination of Efforts
For me, this event was a culmination of my journey within the RWB family. Even as this chapter closes, Nakai-san’s work marks the beginning of a new era for the 997. Congratulations to William, and here’s to many more groundbreaking projects.
Donald Smith
Editor, Automotive.fyi
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