London, United Kingdom (UK)- Silverstone Auctions has revealed that a 1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo belonging to the late Princess Diana who died in a tragic high-speed car crash in Paris, France on August 31, 1997, has been auctioned for US$1.1 million.
The car is believed to be unique, as the first and only black RS Turbo Series 1, as agreed by S014 and the Ford PR department for reasons of discretion, instead of the white manufactured model.
Silverstone Auctions said there was fierce bidding for the black Ford Escort RS Turbo before the sale closed.
“The car exceeded all expectations. The selling price of £650 000 (US$1.1 million) plus 12.5 percent buyer’s premium shows that a unique Ford can sell for supercar money,” said Arwel Richards, classic car specialist at Silverstone Auctions.
Princess Diana drove the Escort from 1985 to 1988. She was photographed with it outside boutique shops in Chelsea and restaurants in Kensington. She preferred to drive her own car, with a member of her security team in the passenger seat.
Meanwhile, in the United States (US), a 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card has been auctioned for US$12.6 million.
Mantle spent 17 years playing for the New York Yankees and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. The record-breaking card is from his rookie season and was produced by trading card giant Topps.
According to Heritage Auctions, the auction makes the card the most valuable sports collectible in the world.
The previous owner, Anthony Giordano bought the Mantle card for what was a record-breaking price in 1991 for US$50 000. He kept it hidden away for three decades before bringing it to Heritage Auctions
“We always knew this card would shatter records and expectations. It’s an extraordinary accomplishment for our wonderful team of sports experts at Heritage Auctions, and, of course, we could not have done it without our consignor, Anthony Giordano, who put his trust in Heritage to bring this amazing card to market.
It bears the finest qualities any 1952 Topps can possess, perfect centring, registration and four sharp corners, that this Mantle rookie card remained in this condition for 70 years is a true miracle,” said Chris Ivy, Heritage’s director of sports auctions.
The price almost doubled the previous record for a baseball card set when a rare Honus Wagner sold for US$6.6 million last year.
