RS TURBO SERIES USED BY PRINCESS DIANA ON AUCTION, 25 YEARS AFTER HER DEATH

RS Turbo Series, a one-of-a-kind black Ford Escort used by the late Princess Diana in the 1980s will be put up for auction at Silverstone in Britain. The RS Turbo Series 1 Escort, one of 130 lots being auctioned off, belonged to Diana between 1985 and 1988.

According to Silverstone Auctions, who anticipate it to sell for more than 100,000 pounds ($118,000), it is believed to be the only example of the model ever produced in black.

It is said that the royal family police guard requested that Diana’s RS Turbo Series 1 be painted black “for discretion,” according to the auctioneers, even though the car was typically built in white. It was “a really brave choice” for the princess to operate the car, which has just under 25,000 miles (about 40,000 km) on it, according to Arwel Richards, Classic Car Specialist at Silverstone Auctions, who spoke to Reuters.

She was driving a car that you would see on a housing estate, not outside the palace, while the other members of the royal family were travelling around London in the rear of official vehicles.

Even after 25 years, her charm doesn’t seem to be waning. Books, many newspaper pieces, TV shows, recriminations over a contentious interview she gave to the BBC in 1995, and even “Diana, The Musical,” a critically acclaimed but short-lived Broadway production, have all been written about her.

A Rolls-Royce convertible once owned by Bee Gee Maurice Gibb is among the other items up for auction, which is taking place in conjunction with the Classic, a three-day motor racing festival at the Northamptonshire circuit.

The black 1973 Corniche was purchased by the artist in 1979; he passed away in 2003. The car, which had interiors made of red leather, was kept by the family until 2012. A recommended price of 100,000 to 115,000 pounds is given on the listing.

A 1973 Rover P5 with a target price of 35,000–45,000 pounds that was used to transport former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to visit Queen Elizabeth is also being auctioned off.

The late British physicist Stephen Hawking was transported in a 1988 Volkswagen T25 Caravelle GL 112. The minibus is being auctioned without a reserve price.