The BMW Tupac Was Shot In is Up for Sale

Let’s be real: there’s always been a market for morbid memorabilia, and hip-hop collectibles have exploded in value over the past decade. Items connected to Tupac specifically command premium prices. His handwritten lyrics have sold for six figures, his jewelry routinely hits auction blocks for hundreds of thousands, and even his old love letters have gone for substantial sums.

And now the car that he was fatally shot in. For context, the BMW 750iL was a luxury flagship in 1996, retailing around $70,000 new. Even accounting for its celebrity connection and historical significance, we’re talking about a 2,400% markup over original retail.

The current owner went full restoration mode, returning the black sedan to its pre-shooting condition. That includes patching the bullet holes, with seems like an astronomically bad decision if this car’s value is derived from a grisly drive-by.

Strip away the tragedy for a second and you’ve got a restored 1996 BMW 750iL with 120,000 miles on the clock. The car originally belonged to Death Row Records and was being driven by Suge Knight when Tupac was shot in the passenger seat. After the shooting, it was impounded as evidence, then eventually sold at auction.

The restoration work is reportedly comprehensive, including new paint and complete engine refurbishment. The car runs and drives well, and is fitted with a new set of period-correct wheels. The VIN is WBAGK2324TDH67073, in case you want to look up the car’s service history.

Here’s the thing about pricing: there’s no real comp for this. How do you value the car where one of hip-hop’s most influential artists was murdered? Previous celebrity death vehicles have sold for wildly varying amounts depending on the circumstances and the celebrity involved.

The current owners have been trying to sell this car for over 7 years now. The price has weeble-wobbled a bit as they hunt for a buyer, but the recent restoration has likely killed any actual value the car might’ve had for a collector.

This is peak “money can’t buy taste” territory. Yes, it’s historically significant. Yes, Tupac’s cultural impact is undeniable. Yes, someone will eventually buy this. But $1.75 million for a car where someone was murdered? That’s a lot of money for an admittedly very nice 7 Series from this generation.

Sure you can peel the door panel back and show your friends the weld marks from where the bullets entered, but it’s not as viscerally shocking as the words “the car Tupac was shot in” might imply.

If you needed a reminder that money can’t buy taste, here you are. Make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter if you want to stay updated on the latest flips and opportunities to make a buck on the internet.