Sanjay Takale's 57-year-old HDJ100 Land Cruiser gave up in Stage 3 of Dakar Classic, even though the 100-series was leading its H3 class. The mechanical failure is a reminder that vintage iron—no matter how storied—is still vintage iron when you're crossing continents at rally pace.
The HDJ100 is finally getting its due as a collector's piece, but Dakar proves raw capability and sentiment are different things.
Sanjay Takale's HDJ 100—a Land Cruiser 100-series diesel—made history by winning Stage 1 of Dakar 2026, the first four-wheel stage victory for an Indian driver. The engine gave up on Stage 3, a brutal reminder that even purpose-built rally machines are fighting against the desert's attrition. Sometimes talent and preparation aren't enough when you're pushing 30-year-old iron to its limits.
The HDJ 100 is a bulletproof platform, but Dakar doesn't care about your lineage—it breaks everything eventually, and the ones who finish are the ones who get lucky.
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