CEO of West Coast Customs reveals Mark Zuckerberg’s requests for custom Porsche minivan pushed them to the limit
- Mark Zuckerberg pushed West Coast Customs experts to their limit
- Meta founder, Zuckerberg, is known for his more humble tastes
- However, this minivan modification proved ‘tricky’
Published on Dec 02, 2024 at 5:14 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on Dec 03, 2024 at 6:17 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
While an ATV for 7’1″ Shaquille O’Neal and a Batmobile for Justin Bieber were challenging, it turns out that Mark Zuckerberg was the celebrity to really push the limits of West Coast Customs.
The automotive customization shop has been inputting ‘hard work and dedication since 1993’.
Meta founder, Zuckerberg, is generally known for his more humble tastes.
However, per the CEO of West Coast Customs, it was his minivan modification that almost pushed them to their limit.
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The request by Mark Zuckerberg
The tech mogul commissioned West Coast Customs to convert a Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT into a custom minivan for his family of five.
The modification was said to be inspired by a request from Mark Zuckerberg’s wife, pediatrician, and philanthropist, Priscilla Chan.
He wanted the final product to be a unique blend of Porsche performance with minivan functionality – combining practicality and luxury.
The project involved elongating the vehicle and adding sliding doors – similar to those on a Toyota Sienna – so far, so humble like the majority of his car collection.
However, while it doesn’t seem too out there, per Ryan Friedlinghaus, CEO of West Coast Customs, in an interview with Business Insider, it was more tricky than it seemed.
The build was technically challenging, especially since Porsche SUVs are rarely altered in this manner and the Friedlinghaus was personally involved in this project to turn Zuckerberg’s car dream into reality.
“That Porsche was probably one of the most technical, craziest ones we’ve ever done,” he shared.
“Originally, it was supposed to have one door, and they wanted two doors, and they wanted it to open like the Toyota Sienna minivan.”
Obviously, it’s far more complex than stretching the chassis requiring very tricky structural changes.
The mods by West Coast Customs
This was compounded by Porsche fans who don’t like the original designs to be altered.
“Everybody’s such a purist in that space, so modifying anything is always a challenge,” Friedlinghaus admitted.
“So I’m like, I need this to look good obviously for the family and for it to be functional. But what I also want is for people to look at it and be like, ‘Wow, did Porsche make that?’ And I think we nailed it on that one.”
The legendary custom car builder has already made luxury cars to fit for the expansive frame of former NBA star, Shaquille O’Neal.
West Coast Customs famously turned will.i.am’s Mercedes-AMG GT 63 into a custom ‘delor.i.am’, too.
London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the experienced content creator and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms and coveted brands. When her OOO is on you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym or exploring the city she loves.
