cars news 10: Fiat 500L Popemobile Fetches $82,000 at Auction

How much is a Popemobile worth, you ask? Well, a black Fiat 500L that transported Pope Francis around Philadelphia last year has just sold for $82,000 at auction.

The Fiat 500L Popemobile was auctioned off at a black tie event Friday ahead of the Philadelphia auto show. The event allowed for both remote and in-person bidding. Church officials say more than 19 people from around the U.S. bid on the car, and the auction only lasted 11 minutes.

At the end of those 11 minutes, Michael and Kate Chapman of Chapman Auto Stores walked away with the papal Fiat 500L. All proceeds from the auction will benefit select projects of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Half of the money will go to the Catholic Charities Appeal, which offers resources for the homeless. The remaining funds will go to Mercy Hospice, Casa del Carmen, and The Schools of Special Education of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Currently, the Fiat 500L starts at a base price of $20,325. Even in its most expensive form, the 500L still comes in below the $30,000 mark.

The Fiat was one of six that shuttled around Pope Francis during a historic trip to Washington D.C., New York, and Philadelphia last September. A second papal Fiat 500L will remain on display at the Philadelphia auto show over the next several days, and it could eventually head to auction.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)