With over 7 days left to go, bidding reached $136,500 for the car previously belonging to Josef Ratzinger, now known to the world as Pope Benedict XVI. Online casino GoldenPalace.com had bought the car on eBay in May 2005 for eur 188,938. The car was listed with a starting bid of 0.99 pounds sterling.
Because bidding has reached over 100 pounds, the bidders' identities are masked. The new "Safeguarding Members ID" (SMI) policy went into effect late last year in an attempt to reduce phishing emails sent to eBay bidders (http://www2.ebay.com/aw/uk/200611211103382.html).
The auction can be viewed on eBay by searching for item number 280099096259. Proceeds from the auction will benefit Habitat for Humanity Great Britain.
