Pope John Paul II’s Ford Escort is up for auction

Papal saloon could be yours for US$150,000

The Ford Escort 1100 was a humble family saloon, an unpretentious workhorse built for the masses with simple electronics and a straightforward 1.1-litre engine.

It makes sense, then, that a modest man of God might favour one of the Blue Oval’s reliable – if rust-prone – sedans.

So it is with this Ford Escort 1100 GL, owned by none other than Pope John Paul II – head of the Catholic church from 1978 until his death in 2005.

And now it could be yours. This sacred saloon is going under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s Auburn Fall auction at the end of August. Here's its story.

Popular following

Launched in 1967, the plucky Escort rapidly became a bestseller for Ford in Europe, shifting two million units in just six years.

Successful second coming

The MkII followed in 1975, sticking to largely the same formula – albeit with a few visual tweaks, including a squarer nose – and proved to be similarly successful in the showroom.

By the power of Ford

Like the first generation, the MkII Escort was offered with a range of engine sizes – from a diminutive 940cc motor in Italy all the way up to a big 2-litre block for all of Europe.

Car of many models

Body styles and trim levels were similarly numerous, with 2-door, 4-door and estate models available, as well as ‘L’, ‘GL’, ‘Ghia’ and ‘Sport’ versions, to name a few.

Run of the mill

The Escort up for auction is a 1976 1.1-litre GL model – a boxy slice of mid-’70s style that’s unlikely to set your heart racing.

Blessed are the air vents

That ‘GL’ label does give the driver some perks, including power brakes and a clock, but the luxury stops there; you don’t get air conditioning, a radio or hubcaps.

Love thy Escort

Judging by the pictures – and given the Escort’s susceptibility to rust – this ’76 sedan could also do with some care and compassion, though it’s certainly not the worst example around.

Inflated valuation

So why is this 4-door Ford – in other circumstances worth around £7000 (US$9000) – expected to fetch anywhere between US$150,000 and US$300,000 when it goes under the hammer?

Karol's classic

Because, of course, it was owned for some 20 years by Karol Józef Wojtyła.

Archbishop's wheels

Not sure who that is? Born in Wadowice, Poland, Karol Józef Wojtyła became Archbishop of Krakow in 1964 – but that’s probably not how you know him.

Papal progression

He’s more famous for his position after 1978: sovereign of the Vatican City, bishop of Rome and de facto head of the Catholic Church. Yes, this Escort’s owner became the pope.

Started off together, now we're here

Whether Pope John Paul II – as he became known – bought the Escort new is unclear, but it’s understood that he owned his Blue Oval before his elevation to the papacy in 1978.

Safely stowed

When he became the pope in 1978, the Escort was placed into storage in the Vatican, where it remained hidden for the best part of 20 years.

Escort resurrected

Then, in 1996, it was decided that the Escort should come out of storage and be auctioned for the benefit of charities supported by the Vatican.

Going Stateside

At this point, the Escort passed into the ownership Jim Rich – for a reported fee of more than US$100,000 – who intended to use it as a display piece in his Chicago restaurant.

Give us this day our daily driver

In the end, Rich began using the ex-papal Escort as his daily driver, running it for some nine years before selling it to renowned collector John M. O’Quinn.

Thou shalt not rust

It’s from this collection that the 42-year-old Ford is being offered at Bonhams, unrestored and in highly original condition.

A story in silver and patina

Finished in a fetching shade of Astral Silver, the Escort – built at Ford’s factory in West Germany – goes to auction with a heavy patina which arguably only adds to this storied motor’s appeal.

All for a cause

In a move fitting for such a blessed set of wheels, profits from the sale will go to the John M. O’Quinn Foundation, which supports education, healthcare, the environment and underprivileged youth in Houston, Texas.

Bid and thou shalt receive

Fancy owning a car once steered by a saint? You might need to pray for some divine intervention: the lower estimate is US$150,000 (£113,000), with the possibility that it could sell for as much as US$300,000 (£227,000).