Bill Gates Seen Driving His Porsche 959 in Bellevue
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates was recently spotted arriving at a Bellevue restaurant in his rare Porsche 959, one of just 337 built between 1986 and 1989.
Bill Gates drew attention outside a Bellevue restaurant after arriving in his Porsche 959, one of the most advanced supercars of the 1980s. The Microsoft founder, known for his interest in rare and technically innovative vehicles, was seen with his wife as they dined in the city.
A rare and complex supercar
The Porsche 959 was produced between 1986 and 1989 in extremely limited numbers. Just 337 units left the Stuttgart factory, making it one of the rarest road-going Porsches. The car was a technological showcase for its time, featuring a 2.85-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six engine, electronically controlled four-wheel drive, and advanced aerodynamics. Its performance figures remain impressive even by modern standards: 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 317 km/h.
Gates’s 959 is finished in silver and appears to be in excellent condition, reflecting both the car’s exclusivity and the care required to keep such a complex vehicle on the road. The 959’s advanced systems were ahead of their time, and maintaining one has always required specialist attention. For many years, the model was not road-legal in the United States due to emissions and crash regulations, but Gates was among the enthusiasts who successfully lobbied for the “Show or Display” exemption that allowed importation of such historically significant cars.
Technical highlights of the Porsche 959
| Engine | 2.85-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six |
|---|---|
| Power | 450 PS (444 bhp) |
| Drivetrain | Four-wheel drive |
| 0-100 km/h | 3.7 seconds |
| Top speed | 317 km/h (197 mph) |
| Production run | 1986–1989 |
| Total built | 337 |
The 959’s combination of speed, rarity and technical sophistication has made it a sought-after collector’s item. Gates’s example is one of the best-known, not just for its owner but for its role in changing US import laws for rare vehicles. For more on Porsche’s recent developments, see our coverage of the facelifted Porsche 911 spotted ahead of the Frankfurt show (/spied-porsche-911-facelift).
