A truly unique lot will cross the block at the January auction in Scottsdale, Arizona—a 1996 Hummer H1 once owned by hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur.
A remarkable piece of automotive and music history is set to appear at the January auction in Scottsdale, Arizona: a 1996 Hummer H1 that belonged to Tupac Shakur. The SUV has survived in near-factory condition, preserved almost exactly as the rapper left it just weeks before his tragic death in September 1996. In nearly three decades, it has covered just over 10,000 miles.
This H1 is more than an off-road vehicle—it’s a symbol of an era. In the mid-1990s, hip-hop culture embraced excess and bold statements, and the hulking, military-bred Hummer became a rolling expression of that attitude. Having made the jump from military service to celebrity garages, the H1 fit perfectly into that world. Tupac bought it new, but never had much time to enjoy driving it.
From the outside, the Hummer looks purpose-built and almost spartan, with roof-mounted spotlights and a winch integrated into the front bumper. Step inside, however, and the story changes completely. The cabin is trimmed in cream-colored leather and glossy wood, evoking the feel of a luxury sedan—closer to a Jaguar XJ than a military truck. That contrast between rugged hardware and upscale comfort was very much a signature of the period.
Power comes from a 6.5-liter turbo-diesel V8, not the high-revving gasoline engines favored by many modern celebrities. By today’s standards, its 208 horsepower sounds modest, but it delivers a hefty about 440 lb-ft of torque, available low in the rev range. Performance was never the point: 0–60 mph took roughly 15 to 18 seconds, underscoring the H1’s utilitarian roots.
This isn’t the first time Tupac’s Hummer has been linked to an auction. In 2016, it reportedly sold for $340,000, though the buyer ultimately failed to complete the transaction. Now the SUV is back on the market. Auction house Bonhams has not released a pre-sale estimate, leaving it up to bidders to decide the value of this tangible piece of music history.
The sale is scheduled for January 23, offering collectors a rare opportunity to acquire not just a well-preserved Hummer H1, but a physical artifact tied directly to the life and style of one of the most influential rappers of all time.