10-04-2005, 10:30 PM
THE 1975 powder-blue Ford Escort once owned and driven by Pope John Paul II will go up for auction later this month in Las Vegas after a father-son ownership spat was resolved.
The "humble" four-door sedan purchased a decade ago from the pontiff by Illinois restauranteur Jim Rich for $US102,000 ($134,000) could fetch between $US2 million ($2.6 million) and $US5 million ($6.5 million), auction house Kruse International said.
Jim Rich, who is in bankruptcy, began a court fight four months ago with his father, Jerome Rich, over a $US1.7 million ($2.2 million) debt the father said the son owed, delaying the car's auction.
A federal judge ordered the car given to Jerome for safekeeping.
But Kruse spokeswoman Michelle Kuhlhorst said the father and son had since settled their differences.
Proceeds from the auction will be distributed by Jim Rich's bankruptcy trustee.
Before the auction, the Escort will be on view at the American Heritage Museum in Auburn, Indiana, which also houses one of the Batmobiles from the Batman television show and a General Lee (1969 Dodge Charger) from the Dukes of Hazzard. The car, which was driven by John Paul himself while he was pope, will be sold as part of a two-day auction on October 28 and 29.
![[Image: pope_car_file_09-28-2005_OK4KN64.jpg]](http://www.fortwayne.com/images/fortwayne/journalgazette/news/pope_car_file_09-28-2005_OK4KN64.jpg)
![[Image: a_13.jpg]](http://bookofjoe.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/a_13.jpg)
:blink:
And we think Fords don't hold value.
The "humble" four-door sedan purchased a decade ago from the pontiff by Illinois restauranteur Jim Rich for $US102,000 ($134,000) could fetch between $US2 million ($2.6 million) and $US5 million ($6.5 million), auction house Kruse International said.
Jim Rich, who is in bankruptcy, began a court fight four months ago with his father, Jerome Rich, over a $US1.7 million ($2.2 million) debt the father said the son owed, delaying the car's auction.
A federal judge ordered the car given to Jerome for safekeeping.
But Kruse spokeswoman Michelle Kuhlhorst said the father and son had since settled their differences.
Proceeds from the auction will be distributed by Jim Rich's bankruptcy trustee.
Before the auction, the Escort will be on view at the American Heritage Museum in Auburn, Indiana, which also houses one of the Batmobiles from the Batman television show and a General Lee (1969 Dodge Charger) from the Dukes of Hazzard. The car, which was driven by John Paul himself while he was pope, will be sold as part of a two-day auction on October 28 and 29.
:blink: And we think Fords don't hold value.