Just In
- 23 min ago 2025 Nissan GT-R Launched In Japan – Available In 8 Variants, Prices Start At Rs 79.66 Lakh
- 3 hrs ago Modified Cars In India: Skoda Rapid With Lamborghini-Style Scissor Doors
- 5 hrs ago Ampere Nexus Electric Scooter Completes K2K Run – Pre-Bookings Open
- 6 hrs ago Honda Nissan Partnership: Driving Towards Safer, Greener Mobility
Don't Miss!
- News Khushbu Mentions EPS Instead Of OPS: Netizens Troll BJP Leader Over Slip Of Tongue At Salem Rally
- Sports IPL 2024: Suryakumar Yadav Leaves Fans Confused With 'Heartbreaking' Post, Mumbai Indians Sweat Over His Fitness
- Movies Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin Stars Neil Bhatt & Aishwarya Sharma Expecting First Child? Actress Reveals TRUTH
- Finance Yellow Metal Prices Rise Slightly Ahead Of US Federal Reserve Meet; 10 Gram 22-Carat Gold At $660
- Lifestyle Virat Kohli's Mullet Hairdo And Brow Slit Is Trendy, Tips To Achieve The Edgy Look
- Technology Quordle 785 Answer for Today, March 19: Check Clues, Solutions
- Education SBI PO 2023 Final exam result declared; Know how to check
- Travel Celebrate Lathmar Holi in Nandgaon on March 19: A Colorful Tradition of UP
Dalai Lama’s Old Land Rover Series IIA Up For Auction; Expected To Fetch Upto Rs 1 Crore
The Land Rover Series IIA used by the Dalai Lama will soon be up for sale. The SUV in question was used by the 14th Dalai Lama for a decade as his personal vehicle. It is expected to fetch between $100,000 and $150,000 (Rs 68.5 lakh and Rs 1.02 crore).
The Dalai Lama is one of the dearest and most loved spiritual leaders across the world. This particular Land Rover Series IIA was used by the Dalai Lama as his personal vehicle between 1966 and 1976 in Dharamshala.
Dharamshala was the Indian mountain city that the Dalai Lama made his home after escaping from Tibet when the Chinese invaded the country. The Series IIA was used as his personal vehicle to take him around the mountainous regions.
Though he did not drive the vehicle himself, he spent a lot of time on the co-driver's seat. Back then, the mountainous regions around Dharamshala were nowhere close to being developed. The broken and non-existent roads combined with the treacherous terrain made sure that only a 4WD vehicle like the Land Rover Defender could be used.
The Dalai Lama used this particular Series IIA to drive all the way to Nepal and back, several times. The Land Rover Series I, II and III are legendary vehicles and command lots of respect in the off-road and vintage circles. The original Land Rover Series I was created as an all-terrain light utility vehicle for the British armed forces way back in 1947.
It was loved for its durability and sturdiness. It was a car that was able to stay off the road its entire life and would never complain about it. The reliability of the Land Rover Series I, II & III was so brilliant that, Land Rover boldly claimed in 1992 that more than 70 percent of the Land Rovers built were still functioning well.
This claim was made 31 years after production of the Series IIA had started. The Land Rover Series II was discontinued in 1961 and was replaced by the Series IIA. The Series IIA remained in production until 1971 when it was replaced by the Series III.
Dalai Lama took delivery of his Series IIA in 1966 when he visited the Land Rover factory in England. It came with a 2,286cc, four-cylinder petrol engine with a maximum power output of 67bhp and a peak torque output of 157Nm. It came with a proper 4x4 drivetrain, with a low ratio transfer case that made it easy to drive on non-existent roads.
Many consider the Series IIA with this particular engine to be one of the most rugged and hardy Land Rover series models ever built. That in itself made the vehicle special. Adding to it is the fact that the Dalai Lama used it for a decade. West Coast British restored the vehicle in 2005. It was restored to its original condition and still uses the same engine, gearbox, transfer case, differential and chassis. The car was put up for auction at RMSothebys.
Thoughts On Dalai Lama's Old Land Rover Series IIA Being Put Up For Auction
There is a good market value for Land Rover Series IIA models thanks to their hardy nature. With this Series IIA though, the value shot up by a large margin because it once belonged to the 14th Dalai Lama.