A rare black Ford Escort RS Turbo driven by Princess Diana has been sold for a staggering £730,000.
The winning bidder paid £650,000 for the motor – and another £80,000 in buyer’s premium.
There was worldwide interest in the Ford.
The last two bidders were from Cheshire and Dubai – with the UK person winning.
Princess Diana – who died 25 years ago on August 31st – drove the car for three years.
Auctioneer Jonathan Humbert said the Princess loved to drive herself.
A Royal protection officer sat in the passenger seat.
Mr Humbert commented as the bidding climbed – “£500,000 for a Ford Escort? I’ve never said that before.”
The car, registration C462FHK, was sold by Silverstone Auctions.
Arwel Richards, of Silverstone Auctions said, including the buyer’s premium, the total sale cost was £730,000.
Everyone was “surprised” at the price the car finally went for.
However, he said car’s rarity and the public’s “emotional link” to it which made the Ford special.
Mr Richards said pre-sale: “The lucky bidder is going to have one the finest preserved examples of this model anywhere, and also the slice of social history that comes with the car.
“This car was known as the ‘people’s sports car’ and the fact it was driven by the People’s Princess just nails it.”
In June 2021, another Ford Escort driven by Princess Diana sold at auction for £52,000.
