There are people who love to say that all cars have stories, and to some extent, that’s true. Most stories, however, are pretty boring. Every now and again there is a significant story behind the car in question, and it’s hard to top the background on this 1972 Rolls-Royce Corniche Coupe, which was owned by none other than a modern-day cult leader. Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, also known as Osho, was infamous for many reasons, which included trucking in over 9 Rolls-Royce models to his bizarre compound in Oregon. This coupe is supposedly one of those vehicles and it’s listed here on eBay with bids to $7,425 and the reserve unmet.
There’s a great line from the modern sitcom The Office where office weirdo Creed Bratton states, “I’ve been in many cults, both as a leader and a follower. You have more fun as a follower, but you make more money as a leader.” This is likely quite accurate, despite being used a bit of comedy in the show, and Osho clearly enjoyed the spoils of running an adult campground for all sorts of followers who were predominantly from upper crust backgrounds. He encouraged free love, among other policies, and clearly didn’t believe in going without. The Rolls-Royces were trucked into a remote compound known as the Big Muddy Ranch in Oregon’s Jefferson and Wasco counties.
Of course, when it all came crumbling down – as most cults do – the cars had to be removed, which was almost as exciting as when they were trucked in. A car dealer in Texas bought the whole collection for $7 million once the assets of the commune were liquidated, and the dealer eventually began selling the cars off one-by-one due to high demand. While the group managed to sell 43 cars before the proprietor’s death, the rest were sold via auction. Rumor has it Osho even bought back a few cars due to their personalized touches like custom paint jobs, which apparently made his “drive-by blessings” all the more spiritual (according to his accountant.)
This Corniche coupe is an attractive car, and appears to be a European-market model with its right-hand drive steering configuration. The seats show plenty of wear – I doubt Osho ever turned down passengers – but the wood trim appears to be in good order. The steering wheel shows surprisingly little wear, and the selling dealer notes that it is believed to be one of “…1,108 hand built over a ten year production run ending in ’81.” The Rolls has been repainted so it’s far from original, but the story behind this car is undoubtedly its most significant selling point. Would you ever own a car that previously belonged to a cult leader?
I used to read articles about the Rajneesh cult in the
Sunday Oregonian (back when it was a BIG newspaper).
Ironicly,they found a rattlesnake den under his living quarters.
It always amazes me that people go along with these wackos.
In 1979, I was living in Santa Barbara, CA and needed a $400.00 truck (that’s all the money that I had at the time). Looking in the classifieds (remember those?), I saw a $400.00 truck and went to look at it. It was owned by a lemon orchard in the hills above Santa Barbara, and it was a mess. The hood was in the bed, every body panel was dented, no tailgate, etc, but it ran and drove fine. After agreeing to purchase it, the guy that I was dealing with came back with the title. It was made out to something like “His Exalted Supreme High Holiness Suavanada Tikka Masala”, with an elaborate yet unreadable signature. I asked, “Is this for real?” He explained that the entire agricultural operation was owned by his High Holiness, plus I really needed the truck, so I drove off in it. Several days later, after handing the clerk at the DMV the signed title, she looked up at me and asked, “Is this for real?” I believe that I replied, “That’s what I said.” Her response was, “Whatever”, and she handed me my new title and registration.
So the previous owner of the truck was chicken Curry? ;-)
I believe that he mentioned that his High Holiness was a vegetarian- eating meat would be a naan-starter for him.
In the mid 1980s I drove through Eastern Oregon – a few small ranching towns and smaller logging towns in the mountains. Needed gas so I stopped in Antelope OR. Dude in a long white robe wandered out. He seemed really spaced-out but I had to let him pump gas (self-serve not allowed in OR until recently). He was taking forever… I think 5 minutes for the first couple gallons. I’d worked at a gas station in Seattle so I told him change the fuel filter in the pump and he’d save himself and customers several hours per day. He looked stunned like this was the most incredible revelation in the history of the planet… every gas station pump has a big spin-on filter. Later I found out Antelope had been renamed Rajneeshpuram.
Yes…I delivered parts out to them… before it got too dangerous. Whoever wanted to do whatever job just did it.. regardless of any experience. They had quite a boneyard of wrecked trucks and equipment. Money was no object….. for a while.
Nice photo Kendra!
Okay I’ll walk through that door. You’re the first to say out loud what others have probably thought.
He was one interesting dude and a friend of mine was a pilot for him at Air Rajneesh. The bhagwan insisted the flight crews flew naked! He had a lot of stories about those times before it got bad. A LOT of “free love”…
I remember the disposal of the RR, they have been through a lot of hands. I was going to doubt the name would brings any extra coin, but since this one sold for a solid $14,200.00, I guess I was wrong!
And miss out on all the fun?
Strangely, after viewing this post I find that; I…MUST…BUY…THIS…ROLLS!
Do tell
Perhaps he is referring to that group of people who, in their impassioned enthusiasm for the marque, may have inadvertently added an extra (irrelevant) letter to the model designation for the MGA. Just a guess, however…
Interesting. Is this the marque that has that fan club that numbers over 71 million?
PT Barnum said it best.
Moderator??
I believe that you may be thinking of the x J6 Club.
Ended 2 DAYS ago! Great tip to late; Luther.
It is an English market car, not a European market car.
That’s one big coupe.
Fixed rear quarter windows and not-really-structural B pillar, just like a Duster. Functionally it’s a 2 door sedan.
What a difference an “e” makes…
Amen Brother!
I bought 84 RR stretch Limousine I was hoping it was his out of Oregon there was a story stating it this touched the property
Whi cares which dipsh.t owned it?
Whi cares which dipsh.t owned it?
Good news! It is!
Lots of comments about the story and not many about the car! While I never had the desire to own one, an uncle of mine with a big ego decided to buy a used one and he liked to show everyone his jar of Grey Poupon mustard in the glove compartment! He eventually sold it and later commented that he liked to drive his Ford station wagon better! The coupe is a nice change from the 4 door models and I could never understand why a car that was so expensive new had such a plain spartan, black steering wheel! It looks like it belongs in a Triumph Herald!!
I see the editors took care of the big brouhaha that was starting. Heh!
Apologies if it upset you.
Wouldn’t be an issue if we could all laugh together. Trouble is some are just too brittle and crack at the least amount of pressure. Too bad, that is. I don’t mind a laugh at my expense as long as we can reciprocate.
I missed it, what happened? Did you make another snide comment generalizing the drivers of Toyota Prius’?