1990 Lexus LS

Other

4.0L 8 Cylinder Gasoline Fuel

Automatic

JT8UF11E5L0026600

Clear

Rear Wheel Drive

Gasoline

Power Windows

This is a collector's item. It is the Lexus owned by Bill Gates in the early days of Microsoft. It could make a unique holiday gift for someone with a love of interesting cars and a bit of tech history. Sale would include the title and the donation letter with Bill Gates' signature. According to Todd Bishop, who writes the Microsoft Blog for TechFlash, Seattle's Technology News Source: "... as a piece of Microsoft memorabilia, it's extremely unique -- complete with the original Washington state certificate of title, signed by one Bill Gates. Yes, this was the Microsoft chairman's personal car back between 1990 and 1995, just as the company climbed to the peak of its dominance. One can only imagine the thoughts that were contemplated by Gates as he drove to work in this thing." Source: The car was donated by Mr. Gates to the Pacific Crest Outward Bound School on February 12, 1998 (see letter). The Gates Lexus was sold again in 1999. According to the New York Times on July 18, 1999: "It was also a good week for the stray cats and dogs in Redmond, Ore., who may soon be sleeping more comfortably thanks to the allure of a car Mr. Gates once owned. The burgundy Lexus LS 400 sedan, a 1990 model driven 82,000 miles, was auctioned over the Web site of Carscene.com, with the proceeds to benefit the Humane Society of Redmond, a fast-growing town of 12,000 in central Oregon that is not to be confused with the similarly named Washington State hometown of a certain software enterprise. The car, making its second appearance in a charity auction since Mr. Gates gave it up in 1995, was donated by Philip and Jo Weigand of Powell Butte, Ore." The present owner purchased the Lexus in October, 2001 from a dot com bank that was located in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. At that time, the car had 83119 miles on it and was serviced at Wilkie Lexus on the Main Line. The Lexus was driven daily to and from a local university until September, 2010. The car is due for inspection and does need restoration. There are dings and scratches to the outside, the driver's seat is torn in the expected area, and air bag and air conditioner are in need of repair. The Lexus has a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Inspection Sticker and registration. The auto shop mechanic indicated that the vehicle only needed a new battery and windshield wiper blades to pass inspection. Present mileage on the car is 145612. Two new tires were installed for the 2009 inspection. Power steering pump was replaced in 2005 at 119,096 miles. Wilkie Lexus inspected and serviced the car in 2003. Wilkie installed an alternator and an upper control arm assembly, and performed a four wheel alignment and replaced the lower ball joints. JiffyLube serviced the car the following 1000 mile intervals: 92, 96, 113, 127, 135, 137. Oil was changed by the auto shop during inspections. The rear compartment is in reasonable shape for its age and mileage. As previously stated, the driver's seat in which Bill Gates sat has the typical tear on the left side of driver's side seat. My mileage was mostly highway to and from work each day, a 25 mile round trip. Car is being sold as is and will need some restoration. I found the PA registration card from when I purchased the car. It will be included in the sale along with the items in the pictures THE SOFTWR LICENSE PLATE IS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT WITH THE CAR. THE 696CVV PLATE IS INCLUDED. The PA Title is dated 8/04/00 with a date of issue as 12/13/01. The PA registration is dated April 30, 2002. PA plate DFD9130. Title 55016876201. Registered to "V BANK A SAVINGS BANK" and signed by David J.Meachum, Jr., CFO. This "V Bank" had some connection to mCom LLC ( " ... a premier provider and developer of next-generation banking and finance , travel and other e-commerce applications ... " ). And, perhaps, USA Bancshares, which was acquired by Nova sometime in 2002. The location of my 2002 purchase was 209 W. Chestnut Hill Avenue, Philadelphia 19118-3703. The person with whom I communicated during the transaction was Mr. Thomas J. Maiorino, Esquire, Attorney for VBANK. The description he provided stated: " ... a picture of the Lexus at Bill Gates' house (his house at the time, of course) ... excellent condition and LOADED with features ... 83119 miles ... Lexus tool box ... Nakamichi Sound System ... Power Moonroof ... computer controlled 4-wheel independent double wishbone suspension system ... California Walnut wood trim ... ". This printout will be included in the sale. Sale receipt was dated October 15, 2001. THE ACTUAL GREEN TINTED, STATE OF WASHINGTON "VEHICLE CERTIFICATE OF TITLE' 9012731403 SIGNED BY BILL GATES OF 3509 43RD AVE NE SEATTLE WA 98105-5334 WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE SALE. THIS TITLE INDICATES ACTUAL MILEAGE OF 0000021. ---- Other quotes that go to the provenance of this car: From the "New York Times" July 18, 1999: "This time, a bidder in Pennsylvania made the top offer of $38,000. Mr. Weigand said he would donate the proceeds, minus some expenses, to the humane society, where his wife works in the thrift shop on Mondays. The group, which is facing a potential rent increase to $20,000 a year, from a nominal $1, hopes to relocate its shelter." ----According to Joel Shore, writing in 1990: "For the record, Gates drives a new Lexus and owns a classic Ford Mustang ... " Source: ---- "Bill Gates owned a 1990 LS 400 in burgundy and subsequently donated it to the Pacific Crest Outward Bound School in Portland, Oregon in 1995." Source: http://www.lexus-ls400.info/history/