Bill Gates has always been known for his passion for cars. Unlike other billionaires, he prefers to be behind the wheel himself, and he has a particular weakness for Porsche models. His favorite car is the Porsche 959, a model that has become a symbol of perseverance and expectation.
A technological marvel with an import ban
In 1988, Bill Gates bought a Porsche 959 Komfort and imported it to the United States. At the time, the model was a real technological breakthrough. Powered by a 2.85-liter boxer engine with twin turbines, it has all-wheel drive and electronically controlled suspension. The Porsche 959 is the fastest production car approved for public roads, and with only 337 examples produced, it is extremely rare.
Despite its exclusivity, the car did not meet the emissions and safety standards then in force in the United States. This led to its detention at the port of Seattle, where it was stored.
A persistent wait for a dream to come true
Despite the ban, Gates did not give up on the car. He began paying $28 a day for its storage, persisting for 13 years. The total amount for storage exceeded $133,000, which is more than half of the car's original price of $225,000.
The expected change came on August 13, 1999, when a federal amendment to exhibitions and demonstrations came into force. It allowed the import of cars of historical or technical value, even if they did not meet the standards. There was only one condition - the cars could be driven up to 4,000 km per year, mainly for exhibitions. In 2001, after a long wait and a lot of fees, Bill Gates finally got the keys to his Porsche 959.
The Value of Passion
Today, the Porsche 959 is a collector's dream, with a market value of up to $1.5 million. Bill Gates' story is not just about an exceptional car, but also about his endless love of technology, his stubbornness, and his willingness to wait when the goal is worth it.