Porsche 993 GT2 Takes Three People to Truly Appreciate

Whether you're talking about the 993-gen or the modern-day Porsche 911 GT2 RS, both offer more car than most people can truly appreciate.

By Brett Foote - June 12, 2019
Porsche 993 GT2 Takes Three People to Truly Appreciate
Porsche 993 GT2 Takes Three People to Truly Appreciate
Porsche 993 GT2 Takes Three People to Truly Appreciate
Porsche 993 GT2 Takes Three People to Truly Appreciate
Porsche 993 GT2 Takes Three People to Truly Appreciate
Porsche 993 GT2 Takes Three People to Truly Appreciate
Porsche 993 GT2 Takes Three People to Truly Appreciate
Porsche 993 GT2 Takes Three People to Truly Appreciate
Porsche 993 GT2 Takes Three People to Truly Appreciate

Serious Machine

There's no denying that the GT2 is a serious piece of equipment. That's true regardless of whether you're talking about the brand new version or the 993-gen. It's so serious, in fact, that in the case of this gorgeous Arena Red Metallic example, it takes three men to truly appreciate it.

Photos: Porsche 

One Car, Three Men

That's right - this particular GT2 has not one, but three suitors in its life - WhatsApp founder Jan Koum, world rally champion Walter Röhrl, and Porsche collector Frank Troche. Troche found the car, Jan bought it, and Röhrl drives it, to be specific.

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about Jan Koum's 993 GT2 right here in the RennList Forum!

Rags to Riches

Koum, born in Ukraine, came to the U.S. at the age of 16. Years later, with the help of a friend, he developed WhatsApp, software that allows smartphone users to send status updates to each other. Koum sold the company to Facebook in 2014 for billions of dollars, cementing his amazing rags to riches story.

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about Jan Koum's 993 GT2 right here in the RennList Forum!

Never Forget

Koum is also a die-hard Porsche fan who's very first car was a beat up 924. But it was his dream of owning a mint 911 that drove his entrepreneurial spirit. In fact, he signed the deal to sell WhatsApp in front of the door of the social services office where he once stood in line with his mother for food stamps.

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about Jan Koum's 993 GT2 right here in the RennList Forum!

Coming Together

Since then, Koum's car collection has grown to over 100. Each one of them in original and immaculate condition. It was through his endless search for perfect Porsches that he met Troche, and the two instantly became good friends.

Photos: Porsche 

>>Join the conversation about Jan Koum's 993 GT2 right here in the RennList Forum!

Making Friends

Troche also happened to already be friends with legendary rally driver Röhrl. So for Koum's 40th birthday, he arranged for the two to enjoy a nice outing together at the track.

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about Jan Koum's 993 GT2 right here in the RennList Forum!

Polar Opposites

There was just one tiny problem - Koum isn't exactly a natural driver. “Jan and fast driving don’t get on too well,” Röhrl recalls. Koum came away impressed, however, and opened up his entire collection for Röhrl to drive whenever he pleases.

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about Jan Koum's 993 GT2 right here in the RennList Forum!

Attention to Detail

That includes this absolutely gorgeous 993 GT2, which has only 15k miles on it. The immaculate example is the only one of 194 produced that's finished in Arena Red Metallic. "That really is a thing of beauty,” Röhrl said. "The paintwork shows such attention to detail – you’d never find that anywhere else."

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about Jan Koum's 993 GT2 right here in the RennList Forum!

It Takes Three

Of course, the only thing better than looking at this GT2 is driving it. "That thing really does go like the wind," Röhrl exclaimed. "It’s almost hard to believe!" Almost as hard to believe as the bond between this amazing machine and the three men it takes to truly appreciate it!

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about Jan Koum's 993 GT2 right here in the RennList Forum!

For help with keeping your Porsche in racing, trim see the how-to sections of RennList.com.

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