Kate Middleton's Old Volkswagen Draws $78,000 Bidder

July 28, 2011— -- It's not an official state car but, west of London, a 10-year-old Volkswagen Golf has gotten attention fit for a royal.

Sonny Brazil, 21, received the used Golf in 2009 from his father, but had no clue about the history behind his new wheels. It turned out, he later found, that it was once owned by a Miss Catherine Middleton.

"I was a bit surprised at the time," Brazil said. "And even more surprised when I found out they were getting married."

The Golf was registered in November 2001 and its documents show that the first owner was the Duchess of Cambridge. Part-exchanged between Brazil's father and Kate's brother, James, in 2009, Brazil took the wheel and noticed Middleton's name on its bills and log books.

He put the Golf up for auction on eBay a few weeks ago, and it has garnered some unexpected international interest. "I get so many emails from Canada, U.S., Germany, Norway," Brazil told ABCnews.com.

Despite getting a highest bid this weekend of about $78,000, he has closed the online auction and says he is in no hurry to sell.

"It was more of a test to see what the car would make and how many people would be interested," he said. "Someone actually emailed me from America saying I'd be ... [crazy] to sell the car because it'll only increase in value."

Also found in the back seat was a pair of silver cufflinks. Brazil is not sure whose they are, but is working on getting them returned to the Middletons.

Another car with a regal past will be put up on the auction block in the United States this weekend. The 1939 Lincoln convertible that was used for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth's first Canadian tour is expected to go for more than $350,000 at an auction in Plymouth, Mich.

As for Brazil's price tag, he's not revealing what exactly he'd be willing to take to part with the Golf. Although he has since upgraded and now drives a BMW convertible, Brazil says, he doesn't mind holding on to a little piece of royal history for a bit longer.

"It's a one in a million chance, like a lottery ticket," he said. "I'm just a very lucky young man."