Diana’s Ford Escort sells for £650,000 ahead of anniversary

A CAR once used by Diana, Princess of Wales sold for £650,000 at auction this weekend ahead of the 24th anniversary of her death.

The black Ford Escort RS Turbo, driven by Diana from August 23, 1985 to May 1, 1988, sold to a UK buyer at Silverstone Auctions yesterday in a sale that piqued interest due to the royal connection.

Diana was previously pictured with the RS Turbo Series 1 outside the boutique shops of Chelsea and the restaurants of Kensington.

She preferred to drive her own car and had a member of the Royalty Protection Command (SO14) in the passenger seat alongside her.

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 only-white manufactured model. The Ford factory’s special vehicle engineering department was asked to supply the car and it fitted a regular five-slat front grille to assist in the “stealth makeover”.

There was also a secondary rear-view mirror for the protection officer with a radio in the glove box, with the cable still visible.

The car has just 24,961 miles on the clock.

In June 2021, another Ford Escort used by Diana sold at auction for £52,000.

Arwel Richards, a classic car specialist at Silverstone Auctions, said: “The RS Turbo is a driver’s car and the late Diana, Princess of Wales was clearly a fan.” Mr Richards added: “It was a fascinating choice for the daughter of an earl, mother of the future king, and the daughter-in-law of the Queen to choose.”