Princess Diana's 1994 Audi Cabriolet is Up for Sale

Here's the ultimate Princess Diana keepsake: a 1994 Audi Cabriolet that's up for auction at Classic Car Auctions this spring.

This most photographed car in 1994 is well-known for transporting Princess Diana in many of her  functions. It's also the the personal car she used to drive her sons around. But what makes it quite significant is that it was the most visible car the princess was seen driving around that summer--not with chauffeur drivers on standby--but only her. It was a bolder, newfound independence that the princess showed to the public. So in many ways, it symbolized her impending breakup with Prince Charles--and the monarchy itself.

The princess owned the car for only a short time: March through July. She gave it back to the dealership she bought if from with only 6,500 km on the odometer. It has been passed down from one buyer to the next, until it became a permanent collection of a Kensington Palace neighbor for 17 years.

Originally, the car was estimated to cost around £60,000 (PHP 3.9 million) by Silverstone Auctions. However, CCA lowered the auction price to £40,000 (PHP 2.6 million), instead. According to Classic Car Auctions, it was Dovercourt Audi of St John's Wood who presented the Cabriolet to Diana.

How long the princess used it doesn't matter. Whatever the case, it's a really beautiful vehicle that's worthy of any prized, valuable collection.

Simon Langsdale, Classic Car Auctions Specialist agrees.

“This is a stunning car, one that is remembered by many of us of a certain age at the height of the Princess’s popularity."

The 1994 Audi Cabriolet is listed for £35,000 to £40,000 (between PHP 2.3 to PHP 2.6 million) in CCA's website. It also includes a number of images of the princess when she used the car. It will be auctioned on March 28-29, 2020, with the viewing on March 27.

The 1994 Audi Cabriolet was the company's first soft-top since the Auto Union 1000 Sp of 1959. It's a four-wheel drive, four-speed automatic, with a 2.6-liter V6 engine that can generate power at 172 hp @ 5500 rpm, and with 184 ft-lbs. @ 3000 rpm.  Initially, the Cabriolet was available only with the 2-valve 2.3-liter inline-five, and a 2.8-litre V6. The 2.6-litre V6 was offered later on.

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