- Bill Gates once asked Mercedes-Benz for a bulletproof station wagon, but the company refused.
- The unusual request was made in the late ’80s or early ’90s for discreet family use.
- Gates ended up purchasing a bulletproof Volvo 240 DL instead.
In the late ’80s, long before Tesla came calling, a young Bill Gates had some very particular tastes in cars - and an even more particular sense of security.
While shopping for a station wagon to ferry his kids around Bellevue, Washington in the US, Gates had one non-negotiable condition: the car had to be bulletproof.
The request was made via a representative to the local Mercedes-Benz dealership, where former Sales Manager Terry Haigh recalled the encounter.
The vehicle was to be discreet, driven by the family nanny and able to withstand potential threats. The dealership, intrigued but cautious, ran it up the corporate chain.
Mercedes-Benz’s response? A hard pass.
The company refused to retrofit a station wagon to such specifications, citing liability concerns. Despite the client's stature, the automaker was unwilling to assume the risk.
So Gates bought a Volvo. Obviously.
Undeterred, Gates crossed the street and purchased a Volvo 240 DL instead - already fitted with bulletproofing. It may not have been as swanky as a Merc, but it ticked the right boxes for safety and subtlety.
According to Haigh, the Volvo had sat unsold for ages due to a persisting issue: the driver’s window motor routinely failed under the weight of the reinforced glass. It was replaced multiple times before Gates finally drove it away.
Porsche dreams and eco realities
Gates' relationship with cars has evolved, but never lost its eccentric streak. Back in 1989, he walked into another Bellevue dealership looking for a black Porsche 911 convertible - already knowing the exact spec he wanted.
He handed over a business card, asked for updates to go through his assistant and walked out with barely a word.
These days, the billionaire is known for greener choices. He reportedly drives a Porsche Taycan and a Tesla Model X, though his garage history includes a rare Porsche 959, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Toyota Prius, and even a few Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Rolls-Royces and Bentleys.
Bulletproof station wagons might not be on his wishlist anymore - but when Gates wants something, he still tends to get it.
Just not always from Mercedes.