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M2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 15 MARCH 2020 MOTORING PRINCESS Diana's iconic green con- vertible Audi is going under the ham- mer for the third time after failing to sell twice - and it's expected to reach just half its original asking price. The motor, being touted as 'the most photographed car of the summer of 1994', was used by the late royal to ferry around her sons Prince William and Prince Harry. It was gifted to her by Dovercourt Audi of St. John's Wood in north Lon- don and used from March until July, before she returned it with 4,000 miles on the clock. It caused significant controversy at the time as many felt the German- built cabriolet was not appropriate for a royal, believing a British car would have been more suitable. The car has had four owners includ- ing political commentator Iain Camp- bell Dale, and is going up for auction at The Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show 2020, held at the NEC, Birmingham on the weekend of 27-29 of March. On May 19, 2018 - ironically the same day Princess Diana's son Prince Harry married Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle - the car went under the hammer with auctioneers Histo- rics of Buckinghamshire. The expected price was £62,000, but it didn't find a buyer at the Brooklands Motor Museum in Weybridge, Surrey and was returned to the vendor. It also failed to sell at auction in 2017, after it was estimated at £60,000 to £80,000. The car, painted in a dark green called Gomera Pearl, has a five cylin- der engine, an automatic gearbox and a cream leather interior. It has covered just 22,000 miles and remains in pristine condition. It is be- ing sold alongside a history file which contains a number of relevant hand- books and manuals. Simon Langsdale, a specialist at Classic Car Auctions, said: 'This is a stunning car, one that is remembered by many of us of a certain age at the height of the Princess' popularity.' A spokesperson for the auction house added: 'For Audi, this was a huge public relations opportunity, the most photographed Princess driving one of their cars, they couldn't have wished for more. 'Audi later reported that sales had doubled once Diana was seen driving the car.' Princess Diana's 'scandalous' Audi goes up for auction The Audi 80 Cabriolet's purchase was considered outrageous in 1994, when royals were expected to drive another type of car