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Interview

Akira Nakai:
The Icon

Uncompromising and known worldwide: That is Rauh-Welt Begriff, the tuning company of Akira Nakai. With his very rare interviews, the Japanese man is like his Porsche conversions: very direct, straightforward and unlike anything you've seen before.

  • Interview & Photos
    Marko Knab - ramp.pictures
Mr Nakai, who are you and what drives you?

I am Nakai. I build cars. Or rather: I build my world.

How did you get into sports cars? And how did you get into tuning?

It was a natural process. It just happened.

What does the name "Rauh-Welt Begriff" mean?

It stands for complete freedom. For my feeling. For what I build.

How did your passion for Porsche come about?

I've always liked them.

What makes Porsche special in your eyes?

Hard to say. They are simply different.

1/5
"I am Nakai. I build cars. Or rather: I build my world."
Akira Nakai
Is there such a thing as a special Porsche lifestyle for you?

Hard to explain. I think it just evolves. It's not planned.

Why do you rebuild the sports cars from Zuffenhausen then?

I don't know exactly. It just happens. It's probably part of my path.

What characterises your style and therefore the spirit of RWB?

I've never really thought about that.

Are your conversions more about looks or also about performance?

Mainly about the look, I think.

What's the craziest conversion you've ever done?

They're all crazy, actually.

Were there any customer requests that you turned down?

Not really. Hardly at all.

"Rough world term stands for complete freedom. For my feeling. For what I build."
Akira Nakai
Why do you still work in a small workshop near Tokyo - and not with a gigantic franchise?

Because all the effort would be too much for me.

Is this how you shape your target group and consciously control the brand perception of RWB?

No. I just do my thing.

How important is specialist knowledge for your work?

Not that important, to be honest.

What is your favourite thing about your work? We heard you like travelling...

I don't see it as work. It's more like play. And yes - I travel a lot. That's part of it.

Here in Luxembourg, you have converted a Porsche 993 into Indian red. What makes this car special?

It belongs to someone - and that makes it special. It's personal.

Do you have a favourite generation of the Porsche 911?

No. I like them all.

"I don't see it as work. It's more like play. And yes - I travel a lot. That's part of it."
Akira Nakai
Is there a model that you really want to convert - a dream project that you still want to realise?

Hmm, it all takes so long. I'm not really planning it.

What do you feel when you're working with a jigsaw, like here on a 964?

Difficult question. But many have waited a long time. It's nice that it's finished now.

Is your work art or simply honest craftsmanship? Or something completely different?

No idea. I don't think about it. I just do it.

What role does the aspect of functionality play for you and your conversions?

Complicated word. I find it difficult to explain.

How does a conversion work for you?

Every conversion is different. Always.

Do you prefer to work alone or in a team?

Alone is easier.

Your work polarises the Porsche community. How do you deal with this?

Not at all. I ignore it.

Others see you as a legend. How does that feel?

I feel honoured. Thank you.

Do you have any role models?

Not really. I never wanted to be anyone else.

1/5
What makes you happy apart from Porsche, work and cigarettes?

That's enough for me.

How do you relax between two conversions?

When I switch off, I'm dead. I just stay in the flow.

Who accompanies you on your travels?

Yuki-chan and Be-chan. My assistants.

How does she feel about the whole Porsche thing?

She thinks nothing of it.

"What do I need to be happy apart from a Porsche, work and cigarettes? That's enough for me."
Akira Nakai
We've heard that your dog is extremely important to you?

Every living creature is important to me. Not just my dog.

If you hadn't become a mechanic, what profession would you be in?

No idea. It's hard to say.

Why are the Japanese so fascinated by German culture?

Because Germans are cool. Many people like that.

If you weren't converting a Porsche, which make of car would it be instead?

I don't know. Probably none.

"When I switch off, I'm dead. I just stay in the flow."
Akira Nakai
Why does Japan have such a strong car culture and community?

Good question. Perhaps similar to Germany.

What makes it different from others?

Nothing at all.

In the West, Japanese car culture immediately brings to mind games, films and series such as "The Fast and the Furios: Tokyo Drift", "Midnight Club" or "Initial D". Does pop culture represent Japanese car culture in a realistic way?

I don't care. I don't think about it.

Are there brand rivalries within the scene?

No. None.

Is the car still viewed favourably in Japan?

Yes. It's quite normal.

Does the idea of community play a role in Japan?

Hard to say. Maybe.

Marko Knab

Marko Knab

Journalist & Photographer
Life writes the best stories - and Marko Knab tells them in text and picture form. His focus: people & their very own stories and cars, motorsports and travel stories. He already worked for Motorsport-Total.com while completing his Bachelor's degree in German Language, followed by a brief stint at a local daily newspaper and a Master's degree in literature and cultural theory - and ramp.

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