Another record-breaking auction and once again it is a Mercedes-Benz. After the Uhlenhaut Coupé was the most expensive car that was ever sold in 2022 for 135 million euros, RM Sotheby’s has now been set a new benchmark. The Mercedes W6 R Streamliner from 1954 has officially become the most expensive racing car in history and achieved astonishing 51 million euros at an exclusive auction.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum asked to modernize its facilities and restore its collection of 180 iconic vehicles. As part of these efforts, they separated from one of their most valuable exhibits: The Mercedes W 196 R from 1954, a legendary car that once won the Argentine Grand Prix. RM Sotheby’s decided not to auction this historic racing car with prestigious events such as Paris, Pebble Beach or Dubai. Instead, a unique auction took place in an exclusive environment in which the car, which was once driven by Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss, achieved 51,155,000 euros and set up a new world record for a racing car.
“This car with chassis number 00009/54 is absolutely unique, and a conventional auction event would not have been the right venue,” said Peter Haynes from RM Sotheby’s in London. “Although the Indianapoli Motor Speedway Museum sold it, its story is inextricably linked to Mercedes-Benz, which makes this museum a perfect setting for a single car auction.”
At least one bidder was physically present in the Mercedes-Benz Museum, while others placed their offers from a distance through the representatives of RM Sotheby, often after weeks of negotiations. In the spotlight, the Silver Mercedes W 196 R Streamliner, which was decorated with racing number 16, was Sat Center Stage. Shholto Gilbertson, who brought the hammer down after 14 minutes and which was sold for 46.5 million euros. With the bonus and taxes of the buyer, the final price rose to astonishing € 51,155,000.
In contrast to typical auctions with several articles, this exclusive sale turned around a single car. Potential buyers had to prescribe and received a unique bidding number to place their offers. The number of winners belonged to number 6128, but the buyer’s identity remains strictly confidential. The tendering procedure followed a structured path and rose in steps from € 20 million to € 46.5 million and no doubt that the record of Uhlenhaut Coupé 2022 would remain unchallenged.
“This result is not surprising because a Grand Prix car for Formula 1 is far more special than a street model that appeals to a wider market,” said Peter Haynes.
While comprehensive preparation was necessary for the sale, the role of the auctioneer Shholto Gilbertson was relatively easy. Only a hand -picked group of elite collectors had been carefully checked in advance, with most of them to take part by phone.
“There is only a very selected group of people worldwide who are able to acquire such an extraordinary racing machine,” said Peter Haynes. “Our experts spent months to identify and tackle potential buyers to ensure that only serious competitors were involved.”
Even Mercedes-Benz and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum are not aware of the identity of the buyer, since confidentiality is of the utmost importance with such high transactions. While some expected the car to collect 60 million euros or more, the last 51.15 million euros still marked an unprecedented achievement.
After 14 tense minutes, the relief spread over the room. Marcus Breitschwert, head of the Mercedes-Benz Classic, and the team of the RM Sotheby’s team was pleased that months of preparation had led to such a historical sale.
The new owner now has a real unicorn of the automobile. The W 196 R is the only example of its kind in private hands. Before the auction, the monoposto was subjected to a comprehensive assessment to ensure that his new custodian bank would not be exposed to unexpected surprises.
In contrast to the Uhlenhaut Coupé, which was sold by Mercedes-Benz, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum had been owners of this priceless racing car since 1965 when it was given by Mercedes-Benz. In the past six decades it has remained one of the museum’s crown jewels and showed only a stone’s throw from the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Now it will disappear in the private collection of an unknown buyer – wherever the world may be.
