The Dream

Few things in the world are as amazing as fulfilling a dream, and even fewer dreams are as amazing as the one Akira Nakai had. Probably more a vision than a dream.

Nakai loved cars since he was a kid, just like many of us; one of his first experiences was being part of a drift crew team were he made some body work on the Trueno AE86's brother, the Corolla Levin.

Nakai's Corolla Levin. picture taken from motortrend.com

 

At a similar time, while working in a body shop, he came across an old, damaged Porsche 911 Turbo, he started to work on it, and this became the famous first RWB model, the “Stella Artois”. And in case you haven't made the connection, he named this car in honor of his favorite beer.

The "Stella Artois". picture taken from Excellence, the magazine about Porsche

 

Then he opened his own shop called RAUH Welt Begriff or RWB, which in German language means something like “Rough World Concept”.

Probably it took longer for Nakai to start working on Porsches than to achieve success, because in just a couple of years, RWB was famous and he was all over the world modifying Porsches.

 

Cult Status

Lately (if not always), Porsche has been reaching a huge fandom base all over the world without any help; and that makes sense, because I almost can assure you, it doesn’t matter which one is you favorite car, if you would have all the money in the world, the second car you would have in your garage would be a Porsche, that is, if your favorite car was not a Porsche already, if yes, then you would probably have more than one.

So the fact that Nakai takes a car, loved by almost everyone, and starts cutting its body panels to improve it, is sacrilege for some; for others, this is precisely what makes RWB so special.

Each car is unique, there are pre-produced pieces of course, but for each customer, Nakai-san an his team come, make some measurements and start manually cutting panels so they can later add the body work designed to convert this “simple” Porsche, into a RWB beast.

 

The Pop Culture and the 1/64 scale brands

Buying a Porsche is already expensive, now, bringing a company like RWB from Japan to modify it at your home I’m sure, is at least, just as expensive. So even if you are lucky enough to be able to buy a Porsche, you might not get the chance to make it a RWB piece of art.

And this is where the hype begins and exactly when some model car brands take over. They come to study some of the most incredible RWB designs, reduced them to a smaller size and make them more affordable.

I believe that the brand that has brought more RWB models in 1:64 scale is Tarmac Works. The models released by them are incredible, (I own a 993 “Lomianki” version myself, pictures below), but being this a premium brand, the prices are on the higher spectrum of the scale.

 

Pictures of the Tarmac Works - RWB 993 "Lomianki" of my collection

 

So nothing better than Hot Wheels, still by far the most popular brand of 1/64 scale models; to jump into the hype and start releasing some RWB models.

You would think, they should have already released hundreds or at least tens of different RWB models… but this is where you would be wrong, and this is exactly why, our model of the month is so special.

In 2019 Hot Wheels released their first RWB model, the RWB Porsche 930, based on the first RWB ever created by Nakai, the “Stella Artois”. However, being a toy, they cannot advertise alcoholic products, so the “Stella Artois” decals on the sides were exchanged for “RAUH Welt”.

As you can imagine, the first RWB 930 was released in Black and Gold as part of the Silhouettes collection from Car Culture, and for obvious reasons, it was an absolute hit.

Hot Wheels Car Culture Silhouettes 2019 - RWB Porsche 930 (first edition)

 

Next year, Hot Wheels reused this casting, but this time, they released it in purple with Golden accents and they paired it with the Aero Lift, as a part of the Team Transport Collection.

 

 

 

Hot Wheels Car Culture Team Transport 2020 - Aero Lift & RWB Porsche 930 (second edition)

 

Another surprise came the same year, but this time in RLC. Hot Wheels released the only RWB Porsche 930 with movable parts that we have seen until now.

 

Hot Wheels RLC - RWB Porsche 930 w/ Akira Nakai Figurine. Pictures taken from mattelcreations.com

(sadly, I don't have this model in my collection)

 

The reasons why this incredibly amazing casting has not been used again are not really clear, but maybe they have to do with some license usage discrepancies.

And well... that was it, 3 models released between 2019 and 2020… and then, a 5-year hiatus without RWB models were of course the resell prices went to Kingdome come, that was of course until now, 2025…

 

Heeeeeee’s BAAAAACK!!!!

Hot Wheels surprised us by bringing back the Silhouettes theme to Car Culture in 2025, and all the cars are beautiful, there is even a new LB-Works McLaren.

(If you want to see the Silhouettes models available at the store, go HERE)

But the highlight, the sold out, the craziness was flying around only one model… The prodigal son, the RWB Porsche 930.

 

The beautiful casting has not changed, is still as beautiful as the last time we saw it. The front bumper is close the ground and the little aero spoilers by the sides of it, make it look really aggressive; the grill is divided in 3 and painted in black. You have the detailed painted taillights and the Porsche logo in the hood.

 

The wheel covers are the representation of the hand made pieces that Nakisa makes, all surrounded by the rivets that hold them to the main body.

The wheels have a 6-spoke golden rim and a silver lip, and in the side you can read “1048 style” and below “Kamiwaza Japan”.

 

On a small negative note, the casting has really small side-mirrors, but as an improvement, you have detailed windows surrounded by rivets, with a race hatch on both sides.

The interiors are black, so it is a bit difficult to appreciate them, but on the back window you’ll see a part of the roll cage.

 

From the Top, you’ll see the sexy Silhouette of the 930, showing off the extended wheel covers that are probable the most recognizable trait of the RWB branding.

The Back wing is huge and accurate, as this type of exotic wings are the ones that Nakisa uses on some of his works.

From below, you’ll appreciate a fully black metal chassis, and the difference in size of the wheels, which gives this "Wide Ass" shape to our 930.

 

But without a doubt, the most impressive feature of this casting, is the exhaust system in the back.

The White monster doesn’t have a back fender but instead, you can see how a pipe is coming from behind the wheels, surrounding the engine and coming together in some sort of “roll cage” protection, until it comes out again in 3 straights exhaust pipes evenly distributed that give all the character that this little monster needs. And as a cherry on the cake you'll have the detailed lightbar on top of the exhaust system.

 

So in a nutshell, why is this car de model of the month?

Because on top of being beautiful, it is like a comet, he doesn’t come to visit often, so when it does, it is better to know what type of Unicorn it is, and grab it by the horn… or in this case, by the incredible triple exhaust system.