Fiat used by Pope Francis in Philadelphia sold for $82K at auction
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD - SEPTEMBER 22: Pope Francis waves from the back of his Fiat after arriving from Cuba September 22, 2015 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Francis will be visiting Washington, New York City and Philadelphia during his first trip to the United States as pope. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (2015 Getty Images)
One of the two black Fiat 500Ls used by Pope Francis on his September trip to Philadelphia has been successfully auctioned off, fetching $82,000.
The winners were Michael and Kate Chapman, owners of the Chapman Auto Group, who secured the winning bid on Friday at the Black Tie Tailgate at the Philadelphia Auto Show, beating out 19 bidders.
The Chapmans own seven showrooms in southeastern Pennsylvania.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Described as the “Pope Francis Philly Fiat,” the opening bid was $35,000; in less than a minute it rose to $55,000, then $70,000 and finally $82,000 in a mere 11 minutes.
The Fiat was one of six used during the Argentina-born pontiff's visit to Washington, D.C., New York and Philadelphia. He also used a white Jeep with open sides – often referred to as the "Popemobile" – that allowed the pope to greet children as he rides past.
Michael Chapman told Philly.com he will put the car on display at his dealership in Horsham.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The second Fiat that Francis used in Philadelphia will remain on display at the auto show until Feb. 7.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia said all auction proceeds will benefit charities and the archdiocese’s special education schools.
Max Spann Real Estate and Auction conducted the sale.
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