(London) A buyer shelled out £737,000 or the equivalent of C$1.1million for a former Diana personal car in the UK on Saturday, as the 25e anniversary of the death of the Princess of Wales.
Posted at 6:35 p.m.
At the end of a fierce bidding battle from Dubai and the United States, this 1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo should remain in its country of origin since it is a resident-for the time being anonymous-of the Manchester region which won it.
The car had been priced at 100,000 pounds (C$153,500); the final bid reached 650,000 pounds (C$998,000), to which must be added fees and taxes.
SILVERSTONE AUCTIONS PHOTO BY REUTERS
The car was the highlight of a sale organized by Silverstone Auctions, on the Silverstone circuit 120 km north-west of London.
With its 130 horsepower, this Ford is a sporty version, typical of the popular vitamin cars popular in the 1980s.
Copies of this model with a less illustrious history can be found in the classifieds at around 10,000 pounds (C$15,350).
Diana, according to Silverstone Auctions, drove this car herself to get around London, although a security officer accompanied her on the move.
PHOTO ALBERTO PEZZALI, ASSOCIATED PRESS
In excellent condition and with only 40,000 km on the clock, the automobile, which had been loaned by Ford, was used by the princess from 1985 to 1988.
Among other things, the car transported Prince William, number two in the line of succession to the throne after his father Charles.
Unique in its black color – the other Escort RS Turbos of this generation were white – it then changed hands several times before being completely renovated for sale.
In June 2021, another Ford Escort used by Diana, a 1981 1.6 Ghia sedan given to her for her engagement, sold for 52,000 pounds (C$79,800) to a South American bidder.
Saturday’s sale took place four days before the 25e anniversary of the death of the princess at the age of 36, in a car accident in Paris.