Who Knew a '75 Ford Escort Could Be This Valuable?

The 1970's were not good years for American automakers. A lot of crap with American names was produced during that decade, and as much as anything, paved the way for the Japanese car invasion.

However, in 1975 a lowly Ford Escort was built which has gone on to fame and fortune:

A light-blue 1975 Ford Escort GL once owned by Pope John Paul II sold at auction here Saturday for $690,000 to a Houston multimillionaire who said he plans to put it in a museum he wants to build in his hometown.
[...]
Built 30 years ago at a Ford plant in Cologne, Germany, the car sold Saturday in what auctioneer Dean Kruse said was original papal condition — no hubcaps, no air conditioning, no radio, but with several nicks and dents.

"The car will never be driven," said O'Quinn, who said that at least temporarily it will be warehoused with his other cars. "But hopefully, in my life, I'll be able to go back and touch this car and feel the pope's spirit."

The buyer, Mr. O'Quinn, made his fortune as a personal injury lawyer who got rich off the tobacco settlement. I'm not sure even owning the Pope's car can get a personal injury lawyer out of purgatory.