The black Ford Escort RS Turbo, which Diana drove from August 1985 to May 1988, was sold to a UK buyer on Saturday. He was photographed in the RS Turbo Series 1 outside Chelsea boutiques and Kensington restaurants. Image: Diana, pictured with Prince Harry in 1985, drove the car from 1985 to 1988 Diana preferred to drive her own car and had a member of the Royal Guard (SO14) in the passenger seat. The car is believed to be unique as the first and only black RS Turbo Series 1, as agreed by S014 and Ford’s PR department for discretion, rather than the only white model built. Image: The car was sold to a UK buyer at Silverstone Auctions Ford’s factory special vehicle engineering department was commissioned to supply the car and fitted a standard five-bar front grille to aid in ‘stealth capture’. There was also a secondary rear view mirror for the security officer with a radio in the glove box, with the wire still visible. Image: The interior of the 1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo The car has just 24,961 miles on the clock. Another Ford Escort used by Diana sold at auction for £52,000 in June 2021. Arwel Richards, classic car specialist at Silverstone Auctions, which conducted the sale, said it was “an incredible result” with “fierce bidding” and a packed room. “The car exceeded all expectations,” he said, adding that it was a “top ten world record for its type.” Mr Richards said: “The sale price of £650,000 plus 12.5% buyer’s premium shows that a unique Ford can sell for supercar money.” With the buyer’s premium included, the buyer paid a total of £730,000.
