The Papal Ferrari and Lamborghini Collection
The Vatican has some of weirdest vehicles in its papal garage from a Lamborghini Huracan to a Nissan Leaf and even a Ferrari Enzo.
In 2017, Lamborghini gift Pope Francis a brand new Huracan, worth about $200,000, painting in Bianco Monocerus (white) with detailing in Giallo Tiberino (Gold) and diamond finished 20 inch wheels; a designed based on the Vactican’s City State Flag. Pope Francis blessed the Lamborghini Huracan and added his signature on the car’s hood
The Pope auctioned it off through RM Sotheby’s and estimated it would fetch between $300,000-$450,000 and it actually sold for $1.24M in May of 2018. In turn, The Holy Father donated the money and split three ways between the Christian community in Iraq’s Nineveh Plain, the Pope John XXIII Community that helps victims of trafficking and abuse, and lastly a closely-linked series of Italian charities helping women and children in Africa.
On the opposite end of Motorsport Valley Italy in Maranello, in 2005 Ferrari gifted Pope John Paul II a Ferrari Enzo, valued at $650,000. However, what makes this particular example interesting is that it wasn’t part of the original production run. According to RM, Sotheby’s Ferrari planned to build just 349 examples of this hypercar. Given the intense demand, the factory decided to produce 399 examples. Yet, this Enzo Ferrari was the 400th and last Enzo ever produced. It was auctioned off at RM Sotheby’s for $1M to raise money for Tsunami relief in the Indian Ocean. Later, in 2015, the same Enzo Ferrari came up for sale again, and RM Sotheby's hosted the auction. Enzo's 660-horsepower naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V12 engine was fully serviced before auction as it had only 111 miles on the ten-year-old car. $2M million dollars was the opening bid for this ultra-rare Ferrari Enzo. By the time the gavel was dropped, the car had sold for over $6 million, making it the most expensive Enzo ever sold.
Papal related items are always hot and increase in value! In 2014, the Pope had a Harley-Davidson auctioned off for charity. The motorcycle sold for $284,000, more than 10 times its normal sales price. A Harley motorcycle jacket signed by Francis sold for nearly $68,000. Even an iPad that Pope Francis once owned sold for $30,500.
So get your rosary beads, practice your “our father’s”, fear not of Sunday mass or the confession box as one day, you may be blessed with the ability to get your hands on some Papal Collectibles.
For factory tours, racetrack adventures, museum tours, stops at the most sumptuous restaurants, and a breathlessly complete, luxurious experience of the Italian countryside — all through the lens of fellow car enthusiasts — Motorsport Labs is your go-to guide to take in not only this work of art but also works of art made by Pagani, Lamborghini, Ducati, and more. Our next travel tour to Italy September 1-8, 2022 for our Cradle of Supercars Adventure, which was promoted and featured in Sports Illustrated by the Italian Tourism Board. On our tour, you'll drive a Ferrari or Lamborghini, visit super car factories and museums like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, Ducati and, Imola racetrack, tour historic towns, and participate in Italian cooking and culinary experiences. We also have a day to Florence, Italy included, if you need to take a break from all the speed, brake dust and screeching tires! Save $800 when you travel with a friend!