Bill Gates’ Iconic Porsche 959 to Headline 2025 Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance
A historically significant 1988 Porsche 959 once owned by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates will be showcased at the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance on September 14, 2025.
One of the rarest and most storied supercars ever built — a 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort formerly owned by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates — will be among the featured vehicles at this year’s Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance on September 14, 2025.
Known among enthusiasts as “The Bill Gates 959,” this car is one of only 292 examples produced by Porsche AG. Beyond its technological innovations, it played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. automotive import laws.
In 1988, Gates purchased the 959 and imported it into the United States without prior approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The car was seized by U.S. Customs and held for 13 years.
Gates, alongside other notable collectors and working with Bruce Canepa, successfully lobbied for the landmark 1999 “Show or Display” legislation. This law allowed historically or technologically significant vehicles to be legally imported and driven under special exemptions, making the Gates 959 a catalyst for change in American automotive history.
Key highlights of the vehicle include:
Owned by Bill Gates from 1988 to 2018
Refurbished by Porsche in 1999 and re-imported under “Show or Display” exemptions
Upgraded by Canepa Motorsports with sport-style suspension, advanced engine management, and larger turbochargers
Comes with full documentation, original parts, and Porsche Production Certificate
Maintained in excellent cosmetic and mechanical condition
“This car isn’t just a marvel of engineering — it helped change U.S. automotive legislation,” said Rob McLeese, founder and chair of the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance. “To welcome the Bill Gates 959 to Cobble Beach this year is an absolute honour. It perfectly embodies our mission of celebrating vehicles that have profoundly shaped automotive history.”
The 11th annual Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival runs September 12–14, 2025. Events include the Tour d’Elegance through Grey Bruce County, Cars & Coffee, and the Concours d’Lemons in Owen Sound, culminating with the showcase of world-class vehicles on the 18th fairway overlooking Georgian Bay.
Tickets and event details are available at CobbleBeachConcours.com.
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