A Ford Escort driven by Princess Diana for nearly three years sold at auction in England for 650,000 pounds (about $764,000) on Saturday, just days before the 25th anniversary of her death. From 1985 through 1988, Diana was the car’s driver.
Silverstone Auctions announced this week that the historic black Ford Escort RS Turbo in “superb concours standard condition” would be sold at auction.
The Classic Car Specialist at Silverstone Auctions, Arwel Richards, said in a statement, “We have sold a lot of automobiles with a Royal pedigree, but this one ticks every box in terms of history, rarity, condition, and mileage.” The market is obsessed with early Ford RS vehicles.
At the Silverstone Race Circuit near Towcester, Northamptonshire, England, auctioneer Jonathan Humbert accepts bids for the 1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo once owned by Diana, Princess of Wales, which was sold for £650,000. Aug. 27, 2022. Joe Giddens/PA Image/Getty Images
With only 24,965 kilometers on the odometer, the auction company described the vehicle as being in “excellent condition.”
According to the Associated Press, the buyer additionally had to pay a 12.5% buyer’s premium on top of the steep selling price. The buyer is from the United Kingdom, but their name was not published, according to the AP.
There were bidders from all around the world competing for the car, which was the final Ford Escort owned by the late princess.
“We notice with interest that while Diana’s subsequent choice of luxury automobiles may have been more expensive when new, the Ford Escort RS Turbo significantly outperforms them at auction, selling in some cases for three times the price of comparable models,” Silverstone Auctions stated.
Prior to its auction, the 1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo once owned by Diana, Princess of Wales, is on exhibit at the Silverstone Race Circuit near Towcester, Northamptonshire, England. August 27, 2022. Joe Giddens/PA Images Getty Pictures
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Tre’Vaughn Howard is a journalist and producer for CBS News who focuses on foreign and cultural news.