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A Fiat 500L used by Pope Francis in New York City is going up for auction and could fetch $100,000
- A Fiat 500L used by Pope Francis during his visit to New York City in 2015 is going up for auction by RM Sotheby’s.
- With only 773 miles on the odometer, the car is virtually brand new and features a metallic grey exterior with chrome accents and black flourishes.
- It is estimated to fetch between $50,000 and $100,000.
Few people have fond memories of the Fiat 500L, but this isn’t your typical model. Quite the opposite as it was used by Pope Francis during his visit to New York City in 2015.
According to RM Sotheby’s, the vehicle was provided by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and briefly used by the pope. As you can see in footage from the trip, Pope Francis arrived on Fifth Avenue in the 500L and then transferred into a specially modified Jeep which allowed the public to better see him.
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Following the pope’s visit, the car was used in the 2016 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It was then donated by the Archdiocese of New York to an auction supporting Catholic charities, education, and relief services. It raised $82,000 (£65,202 / €76,112) and the listing says it is “believed to have been the first Papal vehicle sold by the Archdiocese.”
The car is virtually brand new and only has 773 miles (1,244 km) on the odometer. While the listing is light on specifics, the model features a metallic grey exterior with chrome accents and black flourishes.
Photos RM Sotheby’s
Since it’s a 500L Lounge, the car comes nicely equipped with heated leather front seats, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, and a 5- or 6.5-inch Uconnect infotainment system. The model should also have an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a six-speaker audio system for rocking the gospel.
Power comes from a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine developing 160 hp (119 kW / 162 PS) and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque. It’s connected to a six-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to the front wheels.
While the pope didn’t perform any miracles for Fiat 500L sales, this particular model is expected to fetch between $50,000 (£39,755 / €46,441) and $100,000 (£79,510 / €92,883) at auction. The car is being offered without reserve and comes with the old bill of sale as well as a previous title listing the owner as the Archdiocese of New York.
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