How they own Porsche 959 in the U.S?

Question

I read the article below on website.
I wonder how Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld own it.
Please tell me.

-->The 959 does not meet the US street legal specification, and Porsche has refused to modify it to meet some bureaucrat's demands. As a result, we don't get to see any 959s being driven around. Word is that Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld both own one, sitting on a dock somewhere.

Answer 1

Quite a few half truths in the answers so far that cover the basis SLIGHTLY. When the 959 was released, the limited nature of the car (as would be the case with a number of subsequent limited production cars) caused Porsche to decide it was not in their best interest to destory the needed number to satisfy US Safety testing. The car was produced, but was not street legal in the US.

A few cars were shipped to the US for collectors... however, within a year or so, all except for a 961 (which was the racing version of the 959) were forced out of the country, leaving only the occassional rebodied 911 to be seen. Rumors would various wealthy of famous people would circulate from time to time, but none to my knowledge was ever confirmed.

In the early 2000s, changes in law allowed for import of that were previously not legal, if they underwent a federalization process to make them legal. A few shops in the US did this, but most were done by Canepa Designs in Santa Cruz, CA (Andial in Southern CA is rumored to have done some as well). I had visited Bruce Canepa's shop as they were gearing up for this, and the streets around the shop were lined with 959s - made for quite a sight! With the changes, the US version makes quite a bit more HP than the original, but in terms of total performance, it is a chasis that does show it's age when compared to newer supercars.

It is highly likely that Jerry Seinfield owns one (or more) as he is an avid collector of Porsches. Bill Gates is often rumored as well, though I've never heard him mentioned as an owner from any of the likely service sources in the Seattle area.

Answer 2

Bill Gates Porsche 959

Answer 3

That's old news.

There was a piece of legislation passed 2 or 3 years ago, specifically for that car. It creates a new category for import: "Show or Display." The car has to be rare, less than 500 made, and technologically or historically significant. So basically race cars, racing homologations, and some low-volume cars from small companies, and supercars qualify for import now.

The caveat is, you can only drive it (legally) 2500 miles per year.

So now Bill Gates and Paul Allen and whoever can drive their 959s a little bit.


Wow, that's REALLY old news. It was 1999 that the rule was created.

Answer 4

You could still own one in The US. You just cannot drive it. The Nissan Skyline GT-R's were also not street legal here in the U.S. but people buy them anyway and keep them for the race track. Racecars are also illegal to drive on the road. It would be OK to use the Porsche 959 on a race track or your driveway, but illegal on public roads.

Answer 5

The odds of seeing one are rather slim anyway. Less than 300 street legal 959's were ever made to satisfy FIA rules so they could race it. It basically served as a drive train test bed for future 911's and it's variants. The car can be made street legal in America if you have the money, but it's more of an investment. An low production unmolested Porche of that caliber will command a mid 7 digit price in the not so distant future.

Answer 6

Actually, there is a place in So. Cal that has gone around buying up 959's(worldwide), and federalizing them by some sort of legal loophole.

I think they got their cars by now.

Answer 7

Well they may not want to sell them over here with out changing them but that doesnt mean you can't still get one here. Once you do all the little things you have to do to get it over here all you have to do is make it legal to drive here in the states. There are parts that other countrys do not make car companys put on but they do make ou have them here.