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PAPAL LIMOUSINE RETURNS TO NORTH AMERICA TO BE OFFERED AT RM AUCTION IN MONTEREY
Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction |
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| 1964 Lincoln Continental Stretch Limousine Customized For Pope Paul VI’s Historic 1965 Visit to America to be Offered at RM Auction’s Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction, August 18 & 19, 2006
BLENHEIM, Ontario, Canada (June 27, 2006) – The whereabouts of a long forgotten papal automobile have been unknown for the past 15 years until now. RM Auctions was chosen by the car’s current owner to offer the 1964 Lincoln Continental Papal Limousine at its auction in Monterey, California on Saturday, August 19, 2006. The Papal limousine is one of the many historically significant automobiles that will be presented at the auction and is estimated to sell between $300,000 - $500,000. The customized Papal Limousine made its debut in 1965 for Pope Paul VI’s tour of New York City - the first time a Supreme Pontiff had visited the western hemisphere. The honor and anxiety of designing and constructing a car fit for the Pope was given to custom coach builders Lehmann-Peterson. The original plan, using a Ford LTD Limousine, was quickly changed when Henry Ford II insisted the Pope have a more appropriate luxury automobile such as a Lincoln-Mercury. Lehmann-Peterson workers had a mere ten days after plans were set to construct the car. In a time span of just over a week a list of specifications were completed including running boards and grab handles for security personnel, a public address system, interior flourscent lighting, installing the throne-like chair, a separate power supply, flag holders mounted on the front of the Lincoln, and finally for viewing protection, a windscreen and clear bubble top. The special Lincoln was delivered to New York City on October 3, 1965 in preparation for a public mass at Yankee Stadium. It is estimated that 4 million people congregated in downtown New York during his visit. The Lincoln was returned to Lehmann – Peterson in Chicago after its New York City appearance, with the Papal features removed. The limousine was then used for parades and official functions throughout the city and carried the Apollo 8 and 13 astronauts during ticker tape parades. In 1968 the Lincoln was once again back in service and refitted with the Papal options for his visit to Bogota, Colombia. The car then ended up in private hands in the early 1970’s and eventually made its way to a French museum where has resided relatively unknown for the last 15 years. The car remains in exceptional original condition and is truly the most significant American vehicle in the history of Papal transportation. The Lincoln is now ready to change owners and start a new story upon leaving RM Auctions Inc.’s August 19th auction in Monterey, California. A full history and documentation of its international history will be available in the Monterey Sports & Classic Car catalog. RM Auctions will offer approximately 200 of the world’s finest vintage motor cars at the 2006 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction. The auction will be held at the elegant Portola Plaza Hotel at Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, California. Activities are held August 17, 18 & 19, with auction previews daily on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The auction sale times are 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m on Friday, August 18 and Saturday, August 19. Admission to the Monterey Sport and Classic Car Auction sale is $30 per person, with children 12 and under admitted free of charge. An auction catalog is available for an additional $80 U.S., including shipping and handling within North America, by calling 800-211-4371 or the website below. Celebrating more than 26 years in the collector car industry, RM Auctions Inc. and its sister companies are responsible for acquiring, restoring and selling of the world’s rarest and most expensive vintage automobiles including Best of Show winning cars at the prestigious Meadow Brook and Pebble Beach Concours. For additional information on RM Auctions Inc., and this event please contact Terrance D. Lobzun at: (800) 211-4371 tlobzun@rmauctions.com or visit the corporate web site at www.rmauctions.com. |
