The Dalai Lama once owned this classic Land Rover up for auction
Forget being part of a collection owned by a sports star or musician. This 1966 Series IIA was originally the property of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
It was even used as his official vehicle during the early years of his exile to India, and this special vehicle will soon be available for auction.
Holy roller
There it entered ownership of the Dalai Lama, and became his personal vehicle. Based on the documents shown by RM Sotheby’s, the name of His Holiness, Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso, does appears on Indian registration documents.
Befitting the leader of Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama did not drive the Land Rover himself. Instead, his brother (Tenzin Cheogyal) took responsibility for ferrying him around the rocky roads of the Dharamsala region of India.
Even after His Holiness had stopped using the Series IIA, Tenzin Cheogyal and his family continued to keep it running until 2005.
Then the four-wheel drive vehicle was donated to the Dalai Lama Foundation in Palo Alto, California in December 2005. The aim was to help raise funds for Tibetan refugees living in the United States.
Reborn from the original
Worked on by Land Rover specialists throughout 2006, the final bill for repairs came to an impressive $49,000 (£40,000). This included bringing the classic Bronze Green paint scheme back to life.
Tenzin Cheogyal had preserved the original seats, interior parts, and even the tires from when the vehicle was new, adding to its history.
The Series IIA is set to be sold at the RM Sotheby’s Auburn Fall sale, held at Auburn Auction Park in Auburn, Indiana.
Crossing the block on Saturday August 31st, bidding is expected to be high for the chance to own this unique vehicle.
Source: www.motoringresearch.com