A 1963 Chevy Impala once owned by the late Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant is expected to fetch for a large amount when it hits the auction block this weekend. Per a TMZ Sports report, the retro vehicle is a hot commodity in the market and is expected to be sold for as high as $250,000.
The auction is currently live with a starting bid of $100,000.
Aside from having the Lakers icon as its previous owner, the particular Impala was also featured in MTV's hit series “Pimp My Ride.” Kobe's widow, Vanessa Bryant, herself, brought the car to the West Coast Customs (WCC) back in 2006 to get it customized before giving it to her husband as a Christmas gift. The guys from WCC did a terrific job with the Impala, as they rebuilt the engine, installed hydraulics, improved the sound system and gave it a custom paint job.
“The interior was beautifully re-worked, with all new white leather upholstery studded with genuine Swarovsky crystals and offset by royal blue piping and carpets,” as described by the Barrett-Jackson auction house (per TMZ).
Kobe Bryant owned the car until 2013 before handing it over to Barrett-Jackson Auction house. The pre-loved vehicle is now changing hands for the third time and is currently being kept in Indiana.
Meanwhile, the anniversary of the tragic helicopter crash that claimed Kobe Bryant's life is fast approaching. To this day, his loyal Lakers fans continue to mourn his untimely passing.