MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A pre-owned Harley-Davidson motorcycle hits the auction block, selling for almost 20 times its estimated value, due to its previous owner, Pope Francis! The bike went for $327,000!
Harley-Davidson, in a statement to FOX News says the company is thrilled Pope Francis did this, and that the motorcycle was able to raise this kind of money for the poor people the Vatican is serving.
The "Pope Mobile" is Pope Francis' usual ride, but a gifr from Milwaukee has become a very hot ticket!
The Dyna Super Glide, custom built for Pope Francis was delivered to the Vatican last June by Willie Davidson, the grandson of the company's co-founder, marking the brand's 110th anniversary.
Signed by Pope Francis, the "holy" bike went up for bids in Paris on Thursday, February 6th -- as part of a vintage car and motorcycle auction.
The auction house says bidders were so "hog wild" -- they ran out of phone lines to take the offers!
After a six minute bidding war, the Harley sold for $327,000 -- almost 20 times its estimated value.
The money is going to the renovation of a hostel and soup kitchen based at Rome's railway station.
The auction house, which thought it would get $16,000 for the bike, says Pope Francis' "blessing" put the price through the roof!
The bike was sold to an anonymous bidder. The Vatican hasn't said whether the Pontiff ever rode it.