BERLIN - Interest in Pope Benedict XVI's old Volkswagen, currently on offer on eBay Germany, has smashed all records for the Internet auction site with nearly four million hits, the company said Monday.
"It was viewed more often than any other item we have ever had on eBay Germany," the Berlin headquarters said.
The bidding for the metallic gray 1999 Golf IV in mint condition started at 9,999 euros (about 12,800 dollars), and by Monday, with more than 136 registered offers, had reached 62,595 euros.
Because the auction is not due to end until Thursday -- Ascension Day -- eBay expects the price to continue to rise.
The Golf is being offered by Benjamin Halbe, 21, who bought it in January from a used car dealer having no idea that its previous owner, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, would become pope.
"It's a heavenly ride," Halbe said.
Ratzinger's private secretary bought it for him in 1999 in southern Germany. It was then taken to Ratzinger in Rome.
The company said that it had taken measures to guard against fraudulent offers by requiring bidders to provide their eBay user name, a phone number and a copy of their German identification card.
Coincidentally Volkswagen, Europe's leading automaker, said last month it is interested in building a new "Pope-mobile", a car especially designed and built for the pope.
05/02/2005 15:46 GMT