Princess Diana’s beloved 1985 Ford Escort sold for more than $850,000 at a UK auction on Saturday.
The car, owned by the People’s Princess from 1985 to 1988, sold after a “fierce bidding war”, Silverstone Auctions said. Bidding reached 650,000 pounds, or $764,000; the additional 12.5% buyer’s premium catapulted the final price to $851,070.
Silverstone said days before making a bid that the car was expected to sell for more than $118,000, or £100,000.
The Ford Escort was owned by Diana from 1985 to 1988. Tim Graham Photo Library via Get Princess Diana’s 1985 Ford Escort sold for more than $850,000 at a UK auction on Saturday. AP auctioneer Jonathan Humbert bids on Diana’s 1985 Ford Escort on Saturday. PA images via Getty Images
The vehicle was normally done in white, but was customized for her, painted black at the request of the Royal Family Police Guard “for discretion”.
The late princess was seen driving the car around Chelsea and Kensington before returning it to Ford with around 6,800 miles on it.
“Every other member of the royal family would be driving around London in the back… of an official car… and she drives in a car… that you would see on an estate not outside the palace.” Silverstone Auctions classic car specialist Arwel Richards told Reuters a few days ago.
A video posted by Richards on Twitter on Saturday showed a crowd of people cheering after the final offer was accepted at Silverstone race circuit.
The unique ride had several owners after Princess Diana and has about 25,000 miles.
The car’s new owner was not identified by Silverstone.
Last year, another Ford Escort used by the late Princess of Wales sold for $61,100 or £52,000.
The auction comes a week before the 25th anniversary of the tragic death of Princess Diana, when a limousine in which the 36-year-old was a passenger crashed into a Paris tunnel to avoid paparazzi chasing her on motorbikes.
With post cables.