WORLD / EUROPE
Princess Diana’s Ford Escort sells for 737,000 pounds at auction
Published: Aug 28, 2022 09:02 PM
A sporty Ford Escort that was once Princess Diana's runabout sold at auction for 737,000 pounds ($866,000) on Saturday, a few days before the 25th anniversary of her death.

The modest car, with just 24,961 miles (40,000 kilometers) on the clock, went under the hammer at Silverstone Auctions in Warwickshire in central England.

Bidders from Dubai, the US and Britain held a heated bidding war for the one-of-a-kind model, resulting in a sale to a buyer from Alderley Edge, an upmarket village in northern England that is home to many Premier League footballers.

The car was sold without a reserve price, with bids starting at 100,000 pounds. It sold for 650,000 pounds plus buyer's premium.

The black Ford Escort RS Turbo S1 with a blue stripe was driven by ­Diana between 1985 and 1988, as she preferred to have her own car instead of the royal family's stately ­Rolls-Royces and Daimlers, according to the lot description.

The auctioneers said the unique Ford Escort remains the "most daring choice" of car by any member of the Royal Family.

The Escort was no luxury vehicle but one of UK's best-selling cars of the era, totalling more than 4.1 million sales, according to Auto Express website.

Similar cars with a less illustrious provenance can be found in classified ads in the UK for around 10,000 pounds.

This car, however, was made by Ford according to Diana's specifications and it is believed to be the only black-painted version of this model, according to the auctioneers.

Diana was frequently photographed at the wheel visiting shops and restaurants in London. Prince William was also photographed sitting in the back.

The princess drove the car with a royal detective in the passenger seat and it was adapted with features such as a second rear view mirror and a radio in the glove box.

The vehicle was previously owned by a collector of Ford cars.