A car once used to chauffeur Britain's Princess Diana around raised just a little more than $12,000 at an auction on Thursday. The Jaguar Sovereign, a 1992 model in Westminster blue, went under the hammer along with 30 other vintage cars in the sale at Manchester's Simon Charles Auctioneers.

The vehicle - made to order for Buckingham Palace - sold for a modest $12,065, well under the price expected by the auctioneers.

Mike Andrews, of the Tameside auction house, said: "The car was worth every penny. It went for a decent price, not over the top, but a decent price.

With the royal connection we did expect it might go for a bit higher. "However, on balance everyone involved in the sale was happy."

The new owner, known only as a Lancashire man, was said to be very pleased with his new purchase.

Former owner Alan Verity, who bought the car through a Jaguar enthusiasts' club because of its associations with the royal family, polished the vehicle every week and kept it in storage over the winter to ensure it remained in mint condition.

He said: "It's an absolutely superb drive, as you would expect, but it takes a lot of nursing. I'm really sad to see it go."

The Jaguar was part of the royal fleet for three years, and Diana was even photographed arriving at an engagement in the luxury car.