---
title: "The Pope’s Fiat 500L Just Sold for $82,000"
description: "A ridiculous price for a mediocre economy hatchback? Or a heavy discount on absolution by osmosis?"
date: "2016-02-01"
modified: "2019-06-28"
authors:
  - name: "Ben Keeshin"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/ben-keeshin"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/article/1973/the-popes-fiat-500l-just-sold-for-82-000"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "compact"
  - "fiat"
---

# The Pope’s Fiat 500L Just Sold for $82,000

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/archive-images/020116-fiat-500l-pope-hero.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

What’s the going rate for an imprint of the papal behind? What about several dozen micrometers of blessed [dandruff](<https://www.forhims.com/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-dandruff>), or a whiff of robe? What’s a good price for absolution of your sins—automotive or otherwise—via one holy Fiat? As of this Friday, we have the answers, because Michael and Kate Chapman of Chapman Auto Stores [paid a staggering $82,000](<https://www.autonews.com/article/20160130/RETAIL03/160139998/fiat-500l-used-by-pope-francis-in-u.s.-fetches-$82000-at-auction>) for the [Fiat 500L used to ferry Pope Francis](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/281/president-obama-and-pope-francis-meet-compare-cars-a-blow-by-blow-account>) through Philadelphia during his recent trip to the United States. That is, $82,000 for a car with a [regular market value of around $15,000](<https://www.kbb.com/fiat/500l/2015/pop-hatchback-4d/?vehicleid=407140&intent=buy-used&mileage=5000&condition=excellent&pricetype=private-party>). All the money, including the $67,000 in pontiff-related mark-up, will go to benefit the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In the meanwhile, Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne will be scheming up a way to get the Divine Tush into seats at the Serbian plant where 500Ls are made, because, holy heck, that’s a fat margin.

There are two ways to look at this latest edition of Celebrity Markup. On one hand, that’s a ridiculous price for a mediocre economy hatchback, no matter who has occupied the rear seat. As indicated by sellers on Craigslist who offer “*CELEBRITY OWNED!!! Tila Tequila’s assistant’s first car!!!*” alongside grainy photos of a Dodge Neon, a frenzy over prior ownership usually resonates more deeply with owners of a car than potential buyers. A Pope-brushed Fiat 500L is, to an agnostic, just a Fiat.

![020116-fiat-500l-pope-art.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/020116-fiat-500l-pope-art.jpg>)
**Drew Angerer/Getty Images**

But the Pope is not Tila Tequila’s assistant. (*Talk about a sitcom idea...—Ed.*) He’s the link between millions of Catholics and God, and to the right person, this Fiat 500L might offer solace and, optimistically, a little bit of residual absolution, gleaming from between the seat cushions. (Unheated.) If that’s the case, and this particular Italian sled still glimmers with a sheen of the Holy See, then $82,000 might just be a great price on a modern-day indulgence. Sinners, repent, and take out a large, low-interest auto loan.

## Author
Ben Keeshin is a former staff writer for Maxim, and before that, contributed writing to the digital sides of Road & Track and Vanity Fair.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/BnKshn>)