William Henry Gates III, ardently known as Bill Gates, is one of the most accomplished American business magnates, software developers, investors, authors, and philanthropists. Bill is primarily known for co-founding the American multinational technology corporation Microsoft and has amassed a gargantuan fortune over the years, making him one of the wealthiest personalities in the world. Bill is known for his lavish lifestyle and expensive tastes, with his hobby of purchasing some of the world’s most opulent automobiles often making him the center of attention.
The famous business tycoon is the proud owner of an ultra-luxurious and immensely exorbitant mansion in Washington DC, with its total asset value standing at a jaw-dropping $147 million. Bill’s attachment to private air travel is undeniably his most exorbitant hobby, with his personal hangar comprising over $200 million worth of customized ‘bizjets’. Gates’ car collection is rather modest but is by no means boring. His garage is home to some of the world’s most desirable and opulent automobiles that scream extravagance.
Bill’s collection of automobiles isn’t as loud and pronounced as some of his other personalized big-money assets. The business magnate’s garage is by no means inexpensive and emanates near unparalleled levels of panache and desirability. Bill’s collection exudes an element of diversity as well, with the likes of opulent luxury cruisers as well as quick-paced supercars exemplifying his extravagant taste.
1979 Porsche 911
Also known as Bill’s favorite car, the 911 was introduced to the masses back in 1964 by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. The nimble rear-engined sports car was an instant hit amongst motoring enthusiasts worldwide, with its overall dynamic package making a significant impact in the world of motor racing.
The 1979 Porsche 911 was the first automobile purchased by Bill Gates and has become one of the most iconic sports car exotics in recent times.
The Porsche 911 has seen a host of aesthetic and mechanical updates through its lifespan, with the basic design concept of the revered sports car remaining unchanged even in the modern era. With Bill’s personal 1979 Porsche 911 selling at a whopping $80,000 at auction, the 911 range of sports cars emanates near unparalleled levels of desirability and superior engineering ingenuity.
Porsche 959 Sports
The 959 was launched in 1986 and was considered one of the most technologically advanced sports cars globally. The 959 was initially introduced as a Group B rally car, with its road-legal avatar designed to satisfy FIA homologation regulations that required a minimum of 200 units of the automobile to be manufactured.
The Porsche 959 became the world’s fastest road-legal production sports car upon its introduction in 1986, with its top speed figure standing at a mind-boggling 197 mph. The impeccably engineered Porsche was one of the first high-performance sports cars to feature an all-wheel-drive set-up, with its brilliant overall package paving the way for future Porsche sports cars.
The exclusivity factor surrounding the innovative Porsche was unparalleled, with only 337 units of the 959 manufactured by the German automaker. This exquisite piece of engineering perfection catered to the niche and wealthy target audience, and Bill Gates was one of the lucky few to have the privilege of owning this legendary sports car.
Ferrari 348
This mid-engined V8-powered two-seater supercar was brought into production by Ferrari in 1989 and was a direct replacement to the Ferrari 328. The Ferrari 348 was a rather unique offering from the Italian automaker as it was the last V8 supercar to be developed under the guidance of Enzo Ferrari.
Bill’s rather unorthodox usage of the Italian supercar was a hot topic of discussion amongst motoring enthusiasts the world over, as the famous business magnate would often drive his 348 in sandy conditions, earning it the nickname ‘Dune Buggy’.
The Ferrari 348 sat atop the exclusivity summit, with only 8000 units of the agile Italian supercar to ever come out of the Ferrari stable. The stylish supercar remains immensely desirable in the modern era as well, with several examples of the limited edition machine valued at a gargantuan $160,000.
Porsche Taycan
The ever-rising popularity of electromobility has resulted in several automakers bringing out their own rendition of an efficient all-electric automobile. Porsche’s attempt at electrification has proven to be immensely successful for the German automaker, with their blisteringly quick Taycan displaying its supercar characteristics with a sprinkling of ecological sustenance.
The Taycan was introduced to the masses at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show and quickly grabbed the attention of motoring journalists worldwide. The innovative Porsche was stunning to behold and displayed tremendous potential when it came to its performance dynamics.
The all-electric Taycan is considered to be a saving grace of sorts for pure petrolheads, with its overall package emanating the thrill of a petrol-powered supercar. Bill’s soft spot for Porsches resulted in the business tycoon purchasing his very own $150,000 Taycan, adding a touch of excitement to his colorful and diverse collection.
Chevrolet Suburban
The Suburban is a popular series of automobiles built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. Also known as the longest continuously used automobile nameplate in production, the imposing SUV is a rather impressive all-rounder that has significantly impacted the full-size SUV segment.
The full-size SUV comes with various engine options ranging from a 5.3-Liter V8 to a more powerful 6.2-Liter V8 powertrain that gives the Suburban a dynamic personality. The monstrous SUV ranks high on the reliability chart and is a popular pick of several renowned Hollywood celebrities as their everyday commuter, owing to its spacious interior and comfortable riding dynamics.
The $60,000 Chevrolet Suburban is one of the more inexpensive automobiles in Bill’s automobile collection but is considered to be one of the most comfortable SUVs in its segment to be chauffeured in.
Ford Focus
The dynamic yet straightforward hatchback from Ford is one of Bill’s daily drivers. The promising little hatchback features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder Ti-VCT direct-injection powermill capable of belting out a decent 130 hp 128.33 lb-ft of torque.
The Focus is renowned for its superior ride and handling characteristics, with its fun-to-drive character making it one of the top picks of the segment. The $15,000 Ford is the least expensive automobile in Bill’s collection, but its well-rounded overall package certainly makes it a worthy purchase for the daily driving needs of the American billionaire.
Bill’s extravagant lifestyle is awe-inspiring, to say the least. The billionaire’s taste in automobiles is unique, with his garage home to some of the most exclusive and highly desirable automobiles that true motoring enthusiasts can only appreciate. Bill’s collection also emanates an element of modesty, with the likes of his Ford Focus hatchback and Chevrolet Suburban SUV standing out from the rest of his exclusive and immensely exorbitant selection of automobiles. A common factor surrounding Bill’s collection is his exquisite taste, with every single one of his automobiles having its identity or calling card in the form of exclusivity, exorbitance, or quality.
Read Next
About The Author
More Stories
Tips for Negotiating the Best Deal When Selling Your Car
5 Women That Shaped the Automobile and the World Around It (and Us)
Automobile retail sales see double-digit growth in February on robust demand