Six years, six SH Storage updates, and Venture 964 is lastly getting the most important improve but. Scratch that – it is a full-on transformation!

It began with a brief chat I had with Akira Nakai of RAUH-Welt Begriff simply earlier than we had been about to board a airplane to Malaysia for the opening of the RWB Museum in Johor in January 2018. Whereas the museum is lengthy gone, the settlement made throughout that dialog has been upheld by the whole lot that has occurred since then, bringing us to this second.

That is the place we determined that my just lately acquired, semi-barn discover, light yellow 964 would lastly get the total RWB remedy. That is just about the primary motive I received the automotive within the first place. Effectively, that, and having pushed a Singer, I’ve at all times wished to construct my very own 964.

Quick ahead to mid-October 2024, and I am standing in entrance of my naked RWB equipment at Nakai-san’s store in Kashiwa, Chiba.

I first observed the rear bumper, already sanded down and prepped for paint by Nojima-san of Nojireal, Nakai-san’s trusted painter since his transfer from AE86s to 911s.

Then I noticed the rear Turbo impressed wing – the piece that for me would flip this automotive into the dream 911 I’ve at all times wished since I noticed RWB Stella Artois at Tsukuba within the early 2000s.

I did not wish to miss a single second of this construct, not solely to share it with you, however to correctly benefit from the expertise. The Nojima x Nakai contact will make this RWB HQ construct 964 one thing actually particular for me.

When Nakai-san’s personal 997 trio took over the store, there was one thing surreal about seeing my air-cooled 964 lastly being labored on.

A month earlier, I had introduced the 964 to RWB in order that Nojima-san may shade match the yellow paint – a course of that took over three hours, as every panel had light in a different way for the reason that automotive’s final respray 15 years in the past. However in the long run, he nailed it, and we had been prepared for step two: the portray.

The portray course of took two days. First up was the entrance bumper, the 4 over fenders and the RS-style air vents that may exchange the bumper lights. The following day, Nojima-san tackled the remainder of the components.

The method was easy – white primer base coat, adopted by a number of layers of yellow.

I introduced Venture 964’s greatest fan alongside for the experience: my son Gaio, who shortly turned the Tough world method.

With the 12-piece set absolutely painted, we had been nearly there – simply ready for Nakai-san to return to Japan and ship me a date for the construct. I did miss the ultimate prep step of protecting the physique components cleanly, however you get the thought. Seeing all these bits painted introduced house the truth that this factor was going to occur, nevertheless it nonetheless felt a bit like a dream…

The Construct: Day 1

Nakai-san’s message got here before anticipated – he was prepared to begin development on the second weekend of December 2024. And that was it. Quick ahead two days, and I used to be at RWB HQ, 10am on the dot.

Nakai-san moved his 997 and 997 Turbo out of the way in which to make room.

After I noticed the outdated Speedhunters sticker I placed on the store window in 2009, I simply had so as to add my very own to mark the event.

Then I drove the automotive into the shop.

A fast look across the acquainted environment of probably the most iconic automotive outlets in Japan, a deep breath… and I used to be prepared.

Small physique, goodbye. Purists, I am certain, cried someplace. The purpose of no return had arrived.

I will not intervene an excessive amount of with the method – I would relatively let the pictures inform the story. In spite of everything, if you happen to’re an everyday Speedhunters reader, that is one thing you may be very acquainted with. So sit again and luxuriate in…

With all of the pointless bits faraway from the automotive, it was time for the decisive second. The primary monitor.

And there it was. First reduce. Cigarette breaks.

No large deal… effectively, possibly not for Nakai-san. For me? Let’s simply say I had palpitations. I nearly requested if I may smoke a cigarette to calm my nerves. However no time for that – it was on to the subsequent three fenders.

And the end result? Growth. Simple. Now, onto the conquerors!

The entrance bumper went on first, and instantly the automotive started to take form, altering dramatically in entrance of us and giving an actual sense of the girth it was going to have.

Then got here the leftovers, with Nakai-san’s assistant at all times able to help.

By midday the automotive was already trying wonderful. I requested Nakai-san how lengthy it took him to construct a automotive at first. His reply? 4 days. Now he may end most of it in half that point. Loopy!

With the wheels on, the suspension top lowered, and a preliminary alignment carried out, Nakai-san drilled and bolted the remainder of the holes for the fenders.

Subsequent up was the sealant – the black calfskin that has turn into the signature contact of RWB earmuffs. On my automotive it offered the right distinction to the yellow van and tied the whole lot collectively.

And that is how clean all of it finally ends up trying.

By the top of the primary day, the RWB transformation was nearly full.

Sealant was utilized over the fenders and skirts, and I used to be despatched house with a set of loaner wheels on the automotive. All of it felt so unusual to me; I may hardly acknowledge it as the identical 964 I had introduced again from the semi-abandoned state through which I had discovered it years in the past.

The Construct: Day 2

Day 2 was all concerning the ending touches, together with becoming the rear deck with the built-in Turbo wing. Earlier than that, I introduced my complete household to see how the whole lot got here collectively. The boys had been mesmerized by Nakai-san’s velocity and precision.

Though they didn’t absolutely perceive who he was or what he did, they had been captivated by the environment of the shop and the metamorphosis occurring proper earlier than their eyes.

Then Nakai-san did one thing sudden: he had Gaio assist with the sealing. He confirmed him methods to rub his finger alongside the bead of sealant between the masking tape. It was such a touching second and one thing Gaio hasn’t stopped speaking about since.

The hours flew by as Nakai-san fine-tuned the whole lot – popped up some aluminum bumper struts, fitted the wheel arch liners and made certain the tires did not rub in opposition to something.

This meant steady changes to the suspension geometry and match with the second set of loaner wheels that Nakai-san pulled from storage.

In the meantime, Nojima-san cleaned mud from the paint and polished it to a shine, each on the RWB components and the remainder of the automotive.

Subsequent got here the Idlers stencils on the tires. When Nojima requested if I wished them, I did not hesitate to say sure. For me, it was all about creating essentially the most balanced, old-school, period-correct RWB construct I may, and for me these stencils tie the whole lot collectively. I keep in mind being confused about what ‘Empty Carriers’ meant once I first began seeing them on RWB automobiles.

Finishing the mission was the ‘RAUH-Welt’ windshield banner and the ‘RAUH-Welt Head Quarters’ decal on the rear window, simply above the unique ‘Mizwa Porsche’ decal.

And there it was. The top of probably the most epic highway journeys I’ve ever taken – or wait… possibly it is just the start! A giant thanks to Akira Nakai and Yusuke Nojima for serving to me make one in all my greatest desires come true. Thanks very a lot.

The First Drive

Earlier than I wrap this up, I wished to depart you with some photos of the automotive within the wild – or, extra particularly, on one in all my favourite roads in Japan, the Izu Skyline. The way in which the 964 sits now’s absolute perfection in my eyes. The proportions, the stability, the match, the way in which it handles the corners – it is all simply overwhelming.

I will save the experience for one more publish. For now, I hope you loved approaching this journey with me.

Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
dino@speedhunters.com

Further photos by Alec Pender
Instagram: noplansco