No rust in peace: Century-old tractor dumped as scrap digs up Rs 1.2 crore fortune in Punjab

JALANDHAR: A rusted tractor that sat for decades as a fixture of a decaying courtyard in Punjab has been sold to a California-based buyer for a staggering Rs 1.25 crore, after a viral social media video revealed the "junk" to be a rare piece of global engineering history.The vehicle, identified as a Lanz Bulldog HL 12, is believed to be roughly a century old. It was removed by crane on Feb 18 from a haveli near Bhagat Singh Chowk, where it had remained untouched for generations. For years, residents of the neighborhood viewed the machine as little more than a colonial-era relic. However, its fortunes changed two months ago when a social media influencer filming at a nearby eatery spotted the tractor and uploaded a clip online. "After he uploaded the video, it started getting traction," said Puneet Vadhera, a local official whose shop sits adjacent to the property. "Almost daily, people started coming just to see it."The Bidding WarThe viral fame sparked an immediate frenzy among collectors. Local reports suggest that the owners — who are settled in the US — were approached initially by a Mumbai-based company with an offer of Rs 2 lakh. The bidding escalated rapidly to Rs 27 lakh at late night on Feb 16 before the final sale offer of Rs 1.25 crore on Feb 17. The deal was finalized after a video inspection by relatives of the owner. Despite a missing fuel pump, the buyer confirmed the purchase, citing the model's extreme rarity.A Piece of Agricultural HistoryThe Lanz Bulldog series was first produced in 1921 by the German manufacturer Heinrich Lanz AG in Mannheim. The HL 12 model is a significant milestone in mechanical history. A machine from the production era of 1921-1960 and known for its "hot bulb" engine, the Bulldog was one of the most popular German tractors, influencing tractor design globally.Surviving early-1920s models in original condition are considered "holy grail" finds for agricultural restorers. "None could think that what appeared to be junk would make such a story of gaining glory," Vadhera said as the machine was loaded onto a truck for its journey to California.