Pope’s Harley sells for £35,000

A Harley-Davidson FLSTC 103 Heritage Softail Classic signed and blessed by Pope Emeritus Benedict XV1 and later revivced by Pope Francis sold for £34,684 – twice the estimate at the Bonhams Grand Palais auction in Paris yesterday.

All of the proceeds from the sale of the bike are going to Polish charity Stowarzyszenie Przyjazny Świat Dziecka (Friendly World Association), a Polish volunteer, independent, non-profit organization that offers care and support to children and families in need.

The Harley-Davidson previously took part in a special countdown to the marque’s 110th anniversary celebrations, during which the Pope blessed it with a signature. Bidding took the auction price of the Harley more than double the initial estimate and finally sold to a telephone bidder at €46,000 (£34,684) – the winning bidder also purchased the Pope Francis 1,585cc Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide, sold at Bonhams Paris auction in 2014.