Does Bill Gates have any car collection

I looked in my records today and there were already 31 different Porsche 959s approved for 'Show or Display' by late 2002. That law was only enacted in December 1999 so it didn't take long to bring that many in and I am sure there are quite a few more here now.

It would take another FOIA request to get an update to that list which is something I'm contemplating doing.

>8^)
ER

 

Jon Shirley's collection is astounding!! One of his neighbors in the "garage" complex is Greg Whitten (former chief software architect) who also has a very nice, although slightly smaller, collection. Pretty amazing to see two 250 GTO's in the same 'hood!! Not to mention a bunch of other very cool and rare cars not limited to just Ferraris!!

 

There's a 959 in Vegas, because I spotted this one at Pensky-Wynn
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Seems like there are 'heaping exceptions.' I found this statement in the Wiki about the 959 that might explain all the 'exceptions' posted in pictures and statements. Remember borderline/exceptional cases only show that there are borderline cases though it certainly seems there are plenty of 959's in the US that are not celebrity cars.

"The 959 was not street legal in the United States prior to 1999 when the "Show and Display" law was passed, although an unknown number were imported via the "grey market" during the late 1980s as show pieces. During the model's development Porsche refused to provide the United States Department of Transportation with the four 959s they required for crash testing, and the car was never certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for street use in the U.S. With the passage of "Show and Display" the crash test requirements were removed and importation of the 959 was allowed, assuming the car could meet the emissions standards applicable in 1987. The 959 can be fitted with a catalytic converter and a rechipped computer which allows it to meet those emissions requirements."

From the general reading the 959 was a group B rally homologation effort. Group B would have been highly competitive. When group B went away the 959's, in whatever number or whatever import stats, died the death and ran a route very similar to the 288 GTO.

 

There is a guy named Bruce Canepa, who is a expert restorer, modifier, race car driver, collector, etc. in Santa Cruz, CA. Canepa is the one who was involved in passing the "show and display" law. He is a 959 expert who legalized Gates car. I visited his shop several years ago and he told the whole story on the 959. Apparently Gates and Otis Chandler (owner of L.A. Times) were the original ones trying to get the 959 in. He actually had 10 959s in his shop at the time. He now legalizes them and modifies them to 600hp. Cool stuff.

 

There are usually one or two 959s for sale at Canepa's. A friend had one for a while. The maintenance costs can be massive. I think it was something like $12K to replace a tire pressure sensor. That was quite some time ago, so costs may have changed with more numerous cars coming into the country.

 

Gates' biz partner Paul Allen has a very nice collection of

Exotics
Warbirds ( has his own museum & they all fly)
yachts
mansions

 

There is already a thread on this somewhere concerning the 959, I believe the 20 year law is in effect now and they can be brought in at will if you can find one. Not an expert by any means, but this has been discussed ad nauseam. do a quick search and some owners chimed in if I recall. I have seen some of Shirley's stuff at the track in Palm Beach. He has some crazy cool stuff and a nice guy to talk to as well. really down to earth.

 

In the USA it is 21 years to be exempt from EPA standards and 25 years to be exempt from DOT/NHTSA standards. Porsche built 106 959s in 1987 that will be eligible for a no-strings importation beginning next year. The 16 prototypes built in 1985 would already be eligible but I have no clue how many of those still exist, if any have made it into private hands and if any of them are "complete" enough to warrant owning.

In fact here are some present day photos of one of the prototypes - clearly an incomplete car:

http://www.959registry.org/Prototype/ulthm.htm

>8^)
ER

 

Erik, yea thats right 21 and 25. that was the subject of the old thread. I had my numbers confused. thanks

 

There's also one at a flea market in southern florida near Miami, I think. Along with an Enzo, F50 (Yellow w/ 348/355 Challenge wheels!), FXX, F40, Chopped 512 BB, Testarossa, 599 GTO, Veyron, MC-12, on and on. I believe it's called "Swap Shop". Whoever owns that collection is insane in the best way.

Bill Gates had a 348? Clearly a man of impeccable taste

 

aside from the 959 discussion, can't seem to find much solid info on his personal collection

here's one clip

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming/2005/10/17/bill_gates_project_gotham/1

 

also a focus and a 'vette limo?!
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He has a really hideous boat in front of his house on Mercer Island to land a helicopter on top of.

 

http://www.slideshare.net/iamdaryllmc/paul-allens-octopus

 

Does Bill really own that limo? I find that hard to believe... unless he bought it as a joke or something.

 

Jesus Christ he doesn't mess around, does he?! That's serious!!!!

 

Nor does Larry Ellison!

http://gadgets.fosfor.se/rising-sun-larry-ellisons-yacht/

 

the Focus was from a joke segment on his last day at Microsoft:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr5w3X4R8b4[/ame]

 

I remember that; it's hilarious. Just shows Billy has a good sense of humour!

 

That isn't the boat in front of his house. Does he still have his yacht Meduse or is Octopus it's replacement?

 

Paul has two large yachts, I believe.

Bill has historically had a big Lexus as a daily driver, for a long time.

 

That's hilarious!

Correct, it was sitting in the downstairs service area in May during the last Fchat meet.
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That car has dutch plates!
Probably just arrived there.

 

They were also just unloading this XJ220 with Hawaii plates.
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