Want to buy a used Land Rover that you know has been truly blessed? If so, look no further, as this Series IIA was previously owned by none other than the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. Yes, you did read that correctly, you can buy the Dalai Lama’s Land Rover…
The History
This car started its life back in February 1966, when it rolled off the production line before being shipped to Nepal. The Dalai Lama’s brother then picked it up and drove it to India, where Tenzin Gyatso has been living since the Tibetan uprising in 1959. This was then the official vehicle of His Holiness for over ten years.
Working Hard
Of course, living in the mountainous Dharamsala region of India means that this Land Rover has probably been put through its paces over the years. Once the Dalai Lama no longer needed it, his brother decided to keep the car maintained until 2005, when it was shipped to the Dalai Lama Foundation in California… And now you can buy it!
Going To Auction
The Land Rover is going up for sale at the RM Sotheby’s Auburn Fall auction very soon, in the hopes of raising money for Tibetan refugees. It underwent a full restoration back in 2006, so it’s in pretty good condition, especially as they used original parts costing more than $49,000. There is a guide price of between $100,000 and $150,000 which seems a lot for an old Series IIA, but then it did belong to His Holiness!
You’re unlikely to be able to get your hands on a vehicle more blessed than this, so it’s time to start repenting your previous car auction sins and get bidding on this!