Image: Popemobile
Bonhams
The lineup at the upcoming Quail Lodge car auction in California features tons of impressive vehicles, but this might be our favorite: The former Popemobile.
By
updated 8/4/2011 1:25:11 PM ET 2011-08-04T17:25:11

The lineup at the upcoming Quail Lodge car auction in California features tons of impressive vehicles, but this might be our favorite.

This 1964 Lincoln Continental Limousine was specifically adapted, per a request from the Vatican, to carry Pope Paul VI through the streets of New York when he visited the United Nations to speak about World Peace in 1965, according to Bonhams, which is running the auction (via The Guardian).

Special Pope-sanctioned amenities include exterior step plates and handrails for security, additional seating for "aides and prelates," a raised seat for the Pontiff, and a public address system.

The limo also has a transparent rear section and removable roof that allowed the Pope to address the throngs of people who came to see him. Today, the Pope travels in a bulletproof hybrid.

Business Insider: A see-through Pontiac from 1939 about to hit the auction block

But that's not all.

Three years after the limo was used to chauffeur Pope Paul IV, it carried the astronauts from several Apollo missions, including Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong, through the streets of Chicago during ticker tape parades in their honor.

Business Insider: Middle-eastern businessman pays $8 million for gold-plated Rolls

The car is expected to sell for between $250,000 and $350,000.

Copyright 2012 by Business Insider, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission from Business Insider, Inc.

Discuss:

Discussion comments

,

Most active discussions

  1. votes comments
  2. votes comments
  3. votes comments
  4. votes comments

Data: Latest rates in the US

Home equity rates View rates in your area
Home equity type Today +/- Chart
$30K HELOC FICO 4.60%
$30K home equity loan FICO 5.75%
$75K home equity loan FICO 5.42%
Credit card rates View more rates
Card type Today +/- Last Week
Low Interest Cards 10.69%
10.69%
Cash Back Cards 16.36%
16.36%
Rewards Cards 15.46%
15.45%
Source: Bankrate.com
  1. Image: Popemobile
    Bonhams
    Jump to text

    The lineup at the upcoming Quail Lodge car aucti...

  2. Jump to discussion

    Former Popemobile goes on sale for $350,000

  3. Jump to data

    See the latest rates around the country