Harley with connection to two Popes to be auctioned for Charity
A very special 2013 Harley-Davidson FLSTC 103 Heritage Softail Classic is headed for the auction block as part of Bonhams Les Grandes Marques du Monde sale at the Grand Palais auction in Paris on February 5, 2015.
It is to be offered with no reserve and has an estimated value of €15,000-25,000 (£11,700-19,600, $18,728-$31,214).
The bike’s auction proceeds will be donated to 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. To learn more, click here.
The bike has provenance as unusual as it circumstances. It starts as part of a special countdown to Harley-Davidson’s 110th anniversary celebrations, when two commemorative motorcycle petrol tanks were presented to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
These were signed, and returned to the motorcycle legends US headquarters where they were mounted to their respective motorcycles. Of these, one remains in the Harley-Davidson museum in Milwaukee, USA.
The remaining motorcycle – the FLSTC 103 Heritage Softail Classic destined for Bonhams 2015 sale – lay waiting for a special ceremony where it would be presented to the Pope at the 2013 110th anniversary celebration.
However, in January 2013, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI abdicated. Subsequently this saw the Softail Classic presented to the newly inaugurated Pope Francis.
“In February 2014, Bonhams sold 1,585cc Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide signed by His Holiness Pope Francis. Now we’re delighted to offer a motorcycle received by both Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI; it was present during a pivotal period in the papacy of the Catholic Church, and we expect a lot of interest in it.” said Ben Walker, International Director for Bonhams Motorcycle Department.
“It’s an honor to have been selected to sell this fantastic machine. We expect a lot of interest, and hope to raise some spirited bidding for the very worthy charity selected,” he added.
With some incredible vehicles already confirmed, Bonhams is still accepting select consignments for the Grand Palais Sale.
Sellers interested in consigning rare and important motorcycles to this internationally attended auction can contact Bonhams motorcycle representatives click here.
