Back in October of last year, I was browsing Facebook Events when I learned that Akira Nakai would be building two RAUH-Welt BEGRIFF Porsches at Adam’s Polishes in Anaheim. I wasn’t sure how close we’d be allowed to get, or how much of the build process would be open to spectators, but I thought at the least it’d be a good excuse to get out of the house and get some photography practice in.
Upon arriving, I did not see the large crowd I thought I might, although I did immediately spot something out of the ordinary that let me know I was in the right place: two RWB Porsche 993s, Meguri-Ai and Shingen, parked just outside the warehouse doors.
The cars appeared as if they were already parked for a photoshoot of some sort, but I decided to see if I could find the owners to ask permission to take pictures. As I approached the voluptuous German bombshells, I saw a group of 4 or 5 men conversing just inside the corner of the warehouse closest to them. Nearby sat some snacks, cigarettes, and a bottle of whiskey. Unsure of who exactly the owners were, I timidly excused my interruption and asked for their blessing to begin shooting.
I became painfully aware of an uncomfortable stare from one individual until an Asian man wearing dark sunglasses, cigarette in hand, turned to me and said, “Oh yeah, go ahead.” Later I discovered that this was Christian Coujin, whose gold Porsche 993 “Showa,” pictured in the warehouse, awaited an RWB makeover (the purple Porsche 964 is owned by Allen Yang).
I tried to pretend like I wasn’t freaking out inside at getting such a perfect photo-op and started blasting away. In my short-lived career as an amateur car photographer, this was the best I had ever had it. Two stunning subjects, good natural light, and no having to wait awkwardly pretending to mess with the settings on my camera while people blocked my shot.
As I began to tire of shooting, a few other people arrived, including some families with young children as well — all of them eager to admire the two completed RWBs. My attention turned back to the men inside the warehouse. They definitely appeared to all have some kind of association with Nakai and his RWB brand, although in what regards I had no clue.
There was a young man, who I assumed to be in high school, that stood just outside their circle and didn’t speak much, but I felt that he had a connection to this “RWB clique.” He noticed me standing around and asked, “Are you here to see Nakai?”
Not being very familiar with Akira Nakai or his cars, I felt a little embarrassed as I asked for confirmation that Nakai was the man who was coming to do the build. Kevin, as I would later find out his name was, turns out was the perfect guy to have a random conversation with that day. Not only was he a goldmine of knowledge regarding the tuning scene in Japan, but he had actually lived in Japan for a few months and had gotten to know Akira Nakai personally during that time.
He told me he had been fortunate enough to catch Nakai at his main shop in Chiba, Japan, a few years ago and from there became an acquaintance. As Kevin showed me some of the beautiful photos he had taken while living in Japan, he recalled fondly tagging along with Nakai to the annual Idlers Games at Tsukuba Circuit, as well as getting to attend Tokyo Auto Salon.
I learned from Kevin that Nakai-san, as he referred to him, had just touched down at LAX and would be arriving shortly. More fans slowly trickled in as I continued to pelt Kevin with questions about his experiences in Japan and his relationship with Nakai. I assumed that most fans wanting to meet a figure as well-known as Nakai in-person would be turned down, but Kevin explained that generally Japanese tuners are very friendly to those who take an interest in their work.
Still more people arrived as I noticed a stirring of the gentlemen inside the warehouse: they shuffled around, moved things. I could feel that the maestro would soon be here. It was as if a great dignitary or celebrity were coming. Eventually, a small motorcade of vehicles arrived, including a black SUV that Nakai was riding in. A hub of activity surrounded the vehicle as Nakai made his entrance alongside one female, who perhaps is Nakai’s girlfriend. She carried a medium-sized hard case adorned with RWB stickers into the warehouse as Nakai took a seat and went for a smoke.
He looks like what I’d imagine a typical blue-collar worker in Japan would look like. He has a full head of thick, slightly unruly hair and was wearing a t-shirt, jeans and work boots. But there was this aura, this mystique that surrounded him. Those who apparently were friends, or perhaps customers, approached him in-turn and greeted him as he would receive and reciprocate the pleasantries with a polite smile and nod.
I thought it impossible that he would start a two to three day build immediately after a 12-hour international flight, but about 30-45 minutes after arriving at Adam’s Polishes, Nakai began to prepare. A few of the RWB guys grabbed spray paint cans and other miscellaneous tools and stood at the ready for anything Nakai might need. There were now a good 20-30 people inside and outside the warehouse, all focused on the master and his every move.
I’m sorry to end the story so abruptly at its apex, but this is actually when I decided to leave. I do regret not sticking around to watch some of the actual build process, but witnessing Akira Nakai’s arrival, and feeling the reverence that follows him was enough for me – at least until I get the courage to ask him for an official interview.
