São Paulo, SP (UOL/Folhapress)-In 2013, the year when Harley-Davidson celebrated its 110th birthday, Pope Francis was presented with a Dyna Super Glide model motorcycle, as well as a custom leather jacket. The two pieces were auctioned the following year and raised the equivalent of about R $ 1.8 million, in updated values.
At the time of delivery, the pontiff blessed about 800 motorcycles. In addition, he autographed the “machine” he won at an event held at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican;
Pope decided to auction the motorcycle in 2014 to raise funds for charity. At the time, Francisco’s decision was celebrated by Bonhams, auction house responsible for the sale.
“I am very happy with the result achieved and very pleased with the institution. It is certainly a world record for a 21st century Harley-Davidson and, certainly, for a Harley-Davidson leather jacket. In my entire career, I have never seen as much interest in a motorcycle as this one, and she received orders from all over the world,” Ben Walker, Ben Walker, told BBC.
Motorcycle was awarded in February 2014 for 241 thousand euros. Already the personalized jacket of the brand was auctioned by 57,500 euros. Taking into consideration the euro price at the time and the appreciation of the amount by the IPCA (National Consumer Price Index), the values added would be equivalent to R $ 1,843,453.99 today.
The entire amount collected was donated to the humanitarian organization of the Catholic Church, Caritas Rome. The amounts were passed on to Don Luigi Di Liegro to shelter and to a community kitchen that offers free homeless meals in the Italian capital.
The Dyna Super Glide model was marketed in Brazil for R $ 41,900 in 2013. The motorcycle has a 1,585 cylinder engine, 11.9 kgfm torque at 3,500 rpm, six -speed gearbox, 18.9 liter tank and weighs 310 kg.
