Custom Porsche. Episode 2
Akira Nakai vs Peter Nam - Two Minds, Two Paths in the World of Porsche Custom Culture

When you look at the world of Porsche 911 customization, two names stand out for their global reach and very different philosophies: Akira Nakai of RWB and Peter Nam of Gunther Werks. Both have built international followings and shaped how people think about the 911, but the roads they took - and the results - could hardly be more different.

Akira Nakai: The RWB Approach

Akira Nakai, founder of Rauh-Welt Begriff (RWB), began in Japan as a drifter and air-cooled Porsche enthusiast. His style is defined by wide fender flares, hand-cut bodywork, riveted arches, and oversized wings, installed personally by Nakai-san himself, wherever the owner’s car is found.

Every RWB kit is installed by Nakai-san, by hand, often over several days.

Each car becomes a one-off piece, shaped in collaboration with the owner but ultimately reflecting Nakai’s vision.

The process is analog, with minimal use of templates or CAD.

There’s no focus on horsepower numbers or lap times.

RWB cars are meant to express personality, stand out visually, and be part of a global family.

Nakai’s philosophy is about presence, individuality, and community - not technical perfection. The cars often keep their original engines and minimal electronics, focusing instead on driving feel and show-stopping looks. For many, RWB represents a chance to make their mark in the Porsche world, regardless of background.

Peter Nam: The Gunther Werks Direction

Peter Nam, founder of Gunther Werks and Vorsteiner, comes from California’s custom car scene. His project, Gunther Werks, takes the Porsche 993 platform and rebuilds it from the ground up, replacing steel panels with carbon fiber, reworking the engine, and modernizing suspension and interior.

Each Gunther Werks car starts as a 993, completely disassembled and rebuilt.

The company’s builds use high-output engines, often producing 800+ horsepower in their latest models.

Interiors blend classic analog cues with new materials and design elements - mixing modern seats, updated dials, and unique controls.

Electronics are intentionally minimized. Peter Nam’s stated goal is to create a car that delivers driving satisfaction at any speed, even at 50 mph, without overwhelming the experience with technology.

The aesthetic is eclectic, bringing together supercar features, classic shapes, and bold color choices.

No single “design code” - each car is a collection of elements chosen for effect rather than tradition.

Gunther Werks operates as a boutique builder. According to Peter Nam, 53 cars have been sold as of 2024, which points to real interest among buyers looking for something different at the top end of the market. The cars are built as unique projects for individual clients, often destined for private collections, exclusive tours, or high-profile events.

What Sets Them Apart

Philosophy: Nakai focuses on emotional connection, craft, and personal presence. Nam focuses on performance, innovation, and creating a modern experience in a vintage shape.

Process: RWB builds are hand-installed, analog, and improvisational. Gunther Werks cars are re-engineered, reconstructed, and rely on modern manufacturing alongside manual craftsmanship.

Driving Experience: RWB cars highlight feel and attention, often with minimal electronics and original engines. Gunther Werks aims for high power, advanced materials, and the ability to enjoy the car both at low and high speeds, with a distinct lack of digital interference.

Design: RWB’s look is raw, recognizable, and rooted in Japanese car culture. Gunther Werks blends a mix of influences, sometimes to the point of visual contradiction, creating cars that stand out through eclectic combinations of parts and styles.

Community: RWB is about family, meets, and culture - an open club for anyone passionate about making their Porsche unique. Gunther Werks builds are less about a global scene and more about exclusive projects for a limited group of enthusiasts.

Conclusion

Akira Nakai and Peter Nam represent two very different interpretations of what a Porsche 911 can become. Nakai’s approach is about spirit, presence, and the personal signature of the builder. Nam’s is about technical transformation, high power, and offering something that feels unique at any speed, with or without digital complexity.

Both paths are valid. Both have their followers. And both have changed the landscape of Porsche culture in their own way.

In a world where individuality matters more than ever, Nakai and Nam show that there is no single definition of what a Porsche should be - only the road you choose to travel, and the story you build along the way.