Eva's Cadillac on auction in Silverstone

A 1951 Cadillac Limousine, estimated at between Rs 2 to 2.6 crores served as the official state limousine for Eva Peron, affectionately remembered as Evita, and her husband, the Argentine President Juan Peron. Eva’s life story was most famously told in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Evita, as well as the 1996 film of the same name starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas.

A great political icon, Eva became a champion of the working class and women in Argentina during the couple’s time in office. She built up swathes of support, leading for calls for her to become Vice-President. Her declining health meant that she could never truly make a challenge for the Vice-Presidency and she sadly died of cancer at the age of 33 in July 1952. More than 3 million people lined the streets of Buenos Aires at her funeral, proving her significance and popularity.

The historic car recently arrived in the UK following a number of years on display at the Museo Evita in Buenos Aires. Accompanying the sale are many images of Juan and Eva with the car including them as passengers en route to a state function. The current owner has decided the time has come to part with this important treasure and the car will be displayed on the concours lawn of Salon Privé before going under the hammer in Silverstone Auctions’ sale. Silverstone Auctions is offering the opportunity to own a unique and very special car, with connections to one of the most famous women of the 20th Century, in its sale at Salon Privé on 4thSeptember.

Commenting on the sale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale, said: “We’re honoured to be able to offer this historically significant car in our new sale at Salon Privé. It’s rare that a car with connections to some of the most important figures in history is offered on the market and so it’s a privilege to offer it for sale. This is truly an opportunity to own a unique motorcar from a very poignant period in South American history and therefore we expect huge international interest in this Cadillac.””

On its arrival in the UK, a glorious jewel, presumed to be from one of Eva's dresses, was discovered in the car, and is also included in the sale. The staff of the Museo Evita are now trying to establish which item of clothing this jewel has come from.