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This Article is From Nov 01, 2012

Rolls-Royce used by Princess Diana to fetch 1.2 million pounds

Rolls-Royce used by Princess Diana to fetch 1.2 million pounds
The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow was bought new in 1979 by the British embassy
London: A bulletproof Rolls-Royce used byPrincess Diana on her first trip to the US is expected tofetch more than 1.2 million pounds at an auction.

The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow was bought new in 1979 bythe British embassy. But it didn't come into service until1982 after engineers spent three years and USD 200,000armouring the luxury car to repel bullets, grenades and evensmall bombs, the Daily Mail reported.

The silver limousine was used by the UK embassy inWashington and was the car which transported Princess Dianaand Prince Charles on their state trip in November 1985.During the trip, the Royals were frequently seen in theRolls-Royce as they visited US President Ronald Regan and hiswife Nancy.

The Royal engagement also saw Princess Diana, then 24,dance with John Travolta at a gala at the White House.During the trip there were a number of anti-British IrishRepublican Army (IRA) supporters protesting against the couple- with security as important as ever.

They were well protected by the Rolls-Royce which wasfitted with a 272 kg windscreen and equally hefty rear window.The side windows, which are also bulletproof, were sealedagainst possible toxic gas exposure, and the exterior trim wasfitted with intercoms.

The car is going to be auctioned off on eBay by the VoloAuto Museum near Chicago on November 9 - exactly 27 yearsafter Diana's visit."We just thought it was an armour-plated Rolls Royce thathad been embassy-owned. But after digging through thedocuments and doing some research, we figured out what the carreally was," Brian Grams, Volo Auto Museum director, said.

Documents show that USD 200,000 was spent armouring theRolls-Royce, known as a Silver Wraith II in the US, withexperts valuing it at 1.25 million pounds (USD 2 million).

Under the bonnet is a 6.8-litre V8 engine which powertransferred through a smooth three-speed automatic gearbox.The museum has added that a portion of the sale of the carwill be donated to Children with Cancer, the British charitywhich late Princess inaugurated in 1988.

Other cars featured in the auction include Americanmusician Jon Bon Jovi's personal BMW and the last car everowned by American comedian, film and television star GrouchoMarx.

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