Can You Buy an RWB Porsche in the UK? Everything You Need to Know

Can You Buy an RWB Porsche in the UK? Everything You Need to Know

Yes, you can buy an RWB Porsche in the UK, either by commissioning a build through the official RWB UK chapter or by sourcing an already-completed car, usually imported from the US, Japan or mainland Europe. RWB Porsches are never mass produced, so "buying one" doesn't work quite like ordering any other modified car, and the route you take genuinely changes the price, the wait and what you actually end up owning.

If you've read our piece on what an RWB Porsche actually is, you'll already know that every single build is fabricated by hand by Akira Nakai himself. That's the whole appeal of the brand, but it also means the UK market for these cars works very differently to buying a Liberty Walk or Rocket Bunny kit off a shelf. Here's what actually happens if you want one on UK roads.

How Do You Actually Commission an RWB Build in the UK?

You commission an RWB build in the UK by contacting the official UK chapter, supplying a suitable donor Porsche, and waiting for Nakai-san to travel over and personally fabricate the widebody kit on your car. RWB has established chapters in a number of countries, including the UK, and these chapters act as the point of contact for owners who want a genuine build rather than a replica. You don't simply order a kit and fit it yourself, the process is built entirely around Nakai's involvement, right down to the final fitting.

Most UK builds start with sourcing the right donor car, typically an air-cooled Porsche 911 such as a 964 or 993, or a later water-cooled model depending on the look you're after. The donor car needs to be sound mechanically and structurally before any bodywork starts, since RWB is adding width and altering the car's proportions rather than fixing problems underneath it. Once the car is prepared and painted to the agreed spec, Nakai arrives to complete the fitting, which typically takes a couple of days on site.

How Much Does It Cost to Buy an RWB Porsche in the UK?

Buying or building an RWB Porsche in the UK typically costs anywhere from £80,000 to well over £150,000, depending on the donor car, the level of finish and whether you're commissioning a new build or buying a completed one. That figure includes the donor Porsche itself, which for a decent air-cooled 911 already starts well into five figures, plus the widebody fabrication, paint, suspension and the wide wheel and tyre package that typically comes with it.

Owners building through the UK chapter should budget for the full picture rather than just the kit, since the widebody work is only one part of what makes an RWB build cost what it does. Coilovers, brakes and custom wheels are usually specced to match the wider stance, and none of that is optional if you want the car to actually work properly once it's finished. Importing an already-completed RWB Porsche from the US or Japan is sometimes cheaper than commissioning from scratch, but it brings its own costs in shipping, import duty and UK registration, so it's worth running the numbers both ways before deciding how you want to buy an RWB Porsche in the UK.

Can You Import an Already-Built RWB Porsche Into the UK?

Yes, you can import an already-built RWB Porsche into the UK, though it needs to go through the same import, duty and registration process as any other used vehicle brought in from outside the country. A number of UK owners have taken this route, buying a completed build from the US market where RWB has a larger and more established presence, then shipping the car over and getting it through UK compliance and registration.

This route can work out faster than commissioning a fresh build, since you're buying something that already exists rather than joining a waiting list, but it comes with its own risks if you're trying to buy an RWB Porsche in the UK this way. Always verify a car's build history and provenance directly through the RWB network before importing, since the exclusivity of the brand means a genuine, documented build carries real value that an undocumented one simply doesn't.

Is There a Waiting List for RWB Builds in the UK?

Yes, there is typically a waiting list for RWB builds in the UK, because Nakai-san personally fabricates every car and can only complete a limited number of builds each year across every country he works in. Exact wait times vary and aren't published anywhere official, but prospective owners should expect the process to take considerably longer than ordering a bolt-on kit from a conventional widebody brand, simply because there's one man doing the physical build work worldwide.

What Paperwork Do You Need to Buy an RWB Porsche in the UK?

If you're importing a completed RWB Porsche rather than commissioning locally, you'll need to work through the standard vehicle import process before it can go anywhere near a UK road. That means telling HMRC the vehicle has arrived, getting the right vehicle approval to show it meets UK safety and environmental standards, and registering and taxing it with the DVLA before it's used. The full step-by-step process is laid out on GOV.UK's vehicle import guidance, and it's worth reading through properly before you commit to buying a car abroad, since the order you complete these steps in depends on how the vehicle is actually getting to the UK.

Skipping the import paperwork isn't an option if you want to buy an RWB Porsche in the UK and actually drive it, since you can be prosecuted for using an unregistered, non-compliant vehicle on a public road. For a car that's already had significant structural and bodywork changes made to it, like an RWB build has, getting vehicle approval sorted properly matters even more than it would for a standard used import, simply because the car's dimensions and specification no longer match what left the factory. If you're commissioning a build through the UK chapter using a car that's already UK-registered, this whole step is avoided entirely, which is one of the reasons some owners prefer to build locally rather than import a finished car.

What Should You Check Before Buying an RWB Porsche in the UK?

Before handing over a deposit, however you choose to buy an RWB Porsche in the UK, it's worth treating the purchase with the same scrutiny you'd apply to any high-value modified car. Ask for documented proof that the widebody work was genuinely carried out by Nakai-san or through an official RWB chapter, request service history on the donor car itself, and where possible get an independent inspection carried out before money changes hands, particularly if the car is being imported sight unseen. A genuine RWB build is a serious financial commitment, and the exclusivity that makes these cars desirable is exactly what makes an undocumented or poorly verified example a real risk.

It's also sensible to think about insurance and running costs early rather than as an afterthought. A widened, lowered Porsche with a custom wheel and suspension package doesn't sit in the same insurance bracket as a standard 911, and getting quotes before you buy rather than after will save you an unpleasant surprise once the car actually lands on UK plates.

Is It Worth Trying to Buy an RWB Porsche in the UK?

For the right owner, yes. An RWB Porsche holds its value unusually well compared to most modified cars, largely because of the guaranteed exclusivity and the story attached to every single build. If you're chasing a Liberty Walk or Rocket Bunny look instead, the process and cost are completely different, and it's worth reading our comparison of RWB vs Liberty Walk before committing either way, since the two styles suit very different budgets and expectations.

Related Reads

• What Is an RWB Porsche? Who Created It
• RWB vs Liberty Walk: How Two Japanese Widebody Styles Compare
• RWB vs Rocket Bunny: How Two Japanese Widebody Styles Compare
• The Art of RWB: Akira Nakai The Creator

Whichever route you take to buy an RWB Porsche in the UK, get the details of the build documented properly from day one, and don't be afraid to ask plenty of questions before committing. Worth a look before you take the plunge too: our RWB Magazine showcases genuine reader RWB builds from around the world, real owners, real cars, real stories, free to read as a digital edition on the site or as a print copy on Amazon. You can browse more build features and buying guides like this one over on Stance Auto Magazine, and grab the latest print issue through our Amazon store.