Two years ago, we were having lunch in Carmel when we heard something distinct and beautiful coming our way. The unmistakable sound of a Porsche 930 turbo is a flat-six symphony. But the sound was so powerful and it included the scream of a massive turbo. What you see here is “The Highest Star”.
Designer Akira Nakai at RAUH-Welt Begriff chose the name because no other air-cooled Porsche 911 comes close. In his native Japanese, “Ichiban Boshi” is a great honor. The project began with a pristine 1989 Silver Anniversary Carrera. Then they built a fresh 3.3 Liter 964 Turbo series engine. Chris Carroll of Turbo Kraft was commissioned to build the headers and attach them to the largest turbo we’ve seen. Above the engine is an intercooler sized for a Boeing B29 Superfortress, and it is cooled by the triangular ram-air scoops at the base of the whale tail.
Thanks to the turbo being centered between both cylinder banks, one bank feeds a low-speed scroll to eliminate lag while the other bank feeds a high-speed scroll to maximize top end boost. This custom built twin-scroll Garrett requires twin Turbosmart wastegates (the small exhaust pipes on each side) to smoothly deliver boost all the way through the entire RPM range.
Everything is controlled by a custom tuned AEM fuel injection & boost control system. You have 600 horsepower sent to an upgraded G50 five-speed transmission. Turbokraft also matched the transmission to the engine with a custom flywheel and clutch. It has just enough weight for a smooth idle with a predictable left pedal.
The weight saving measures, including a carbon fiber roof and hood by Helion Composites in France, bring the car down to a mere 2,400 lbs, making it a rocket when combined with the awesome power. The 911 utilizes a custom coil-over kit for crisp handling, as well as a set of Brembo brakes to tame the 600 horses and wears Work Meister S1 three-piece wheels to go with the look and performance. In true raw race car fashion, the Martini RWB is AC and radio delete.
Once you’re inside and sitting on the vintage Recaro Martini seats from the 70s, you will notice the carbon roof, as well as the vintage Martini steering wheel. Other details include the Wevo billet aluminum shifter and 911 RS carpets. The subtle touch of RWB branded HID headlights are one of many special details. The car was painted by famous hotrod painter Bryson Richards of Classic Livery. The Martini livery is inspired in part by the ’74 “Baby Turbo” 2.1 livery, combined with elements of the ’73 Targa Florio RSR.
Garrett Turbo asked for the car to be shown in their booth at the 2016 SEMA show in Las Vegas as their marque car. Three publications voted the RWB Martini car in the top 5 cars at SEMA out of the 1,700 cars shown. Automobile Magazine voted this car as 1 of the top 7 stars of the 2017 Amelia Island Werks Reunion. Speedhunters has also written a very nice article on the car. All told, the Porsche project dubbed RWB’s “Highest Star” is amongst the most respectable builds in the country with no expense spared. This car is one of the most sought-after Porsches on the market, so click the link below for more details.
