At the end of January, a 1996 Hummer H1 will be auctioned off by Bonhams in Scottsdale, Arizona. This SUV has a special history - it once belonged to Tupac Shakur.
Like many representatives of the hip-hop scene, Tupac had a special passion for cars. However, this Hummer H1 eventually became one of the most recognizable and iconic vehicles associated with the artist's name. In recent years, the SUV has appeared more than once on the market for collectible cars. Its previous attempt to find a new owner took place in 2022, but then the auction failed to reach the set reserve price, and the car remained with its previous owner.
Earlier, in 2016, timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Tupac's death, this same Hummer was sold for $337,000. Taking into account current inflation, this amount is equivalent to approximately $461,000 at today's rates. It is not yet known exactly how much the current owner expects to receive at the upcoming auction.
The condition of the SUV is in many ways unique. The car has been preserved almost in its factory condition - exactly as it was at the time when Tupac died shortly after buying the car. The Hummer H1 has a mileage of about 16,000 kilometers, and outwardly the car practically does not betray its age, despite the fact that it is already about thirty years old.
The SUV is made in a hardtop body and is completely painted in black. The exterior is complemented by Eliminator and Hummer logos. The car was ordered in a special configuration, including Dick Cepek off-road lights, a light bar, as well as winches installed both at the front and at the rear. The look is complemented by a protective radiator grille, reinforced bumpers with diamond-shaped inserts and a GC package, which includes larger wheels and tires. Under the hood is a 6.5-liter V8 turbodiesel engine.
The interior of the Hummer is trimmed with cream leather and wood. The cabin features a sliding rear window and armored windows around the perimeter. For the mid-1990s, the car was considered technologically advanced: it is equipped with a Clarion multimedia system with a 12-disc CD changer, a cassette deck, AM/FM radio, as well as Sony GPS navigation.
During the previous sale attempt, which took place four years ago, copies of iconic music albums - Michael Jackson's Thriller and Tupac's All Eyez on Me - were offered to the buyer along with the car. It is currently unknown whether these items will be included in the lot at the upcoming auction.