A rare piece of automotive history, the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R ‘Stromlinienwagen,’ has set an impressive benchmark in the world of car auctions, fetching €46.5 million at RM Sotheby’s auction in Stuttgart, Germany, this past Saturday.
With auction fees added, the final sale price reached a staggering €51.155 million, making it the second-highest price ever paid for a car. The Mercedes-Benz W 196 R, renowned for its sleek, aerodynamic design and significant racing heritage, has now joined the exclusive ranks of ultra-expensive vehicles.
The sale narrowly missed breaking the record set in 2022, when a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR ‘Uhlenhaut Coupé’ sold for €135 million, the highest price ever achieved at an auction.
What makes the W 196 R particularly extraordinary is its legacy on the racetrack. Driven by Argentine racing legend Juan Manuel Fangio, this car clinched victory at the 1955 Buenos Aires Grand Prix, one of the highlights of the Formula One season.
In the same year, British racing driver Stirling Moss also made history with the vehicle by setting the fastest lap at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
Originally designed for the Formula One World Championship, the W 196 R made waves with its streamlined, futuristic bodywork, which was a significant departure from the conventional race cars of its time.
The car’s design, combined with its technical innovations, gave it a considerable edge on the track, cementing its place in motorsport history.
In 1965, Mercedes-Benz donated the prized vehicle to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, where it remained on display for nearly six decades.
After being part of the museum’s collection for 59 years, the ‘Stromlinienwagen’ was finally offered for sale, attracting a great deal of attention from collectors and enthusiasts around the world.
The sale of such an iconic vehicle is a testament to the growing interest in classic cars as high-value investment assets.
RM Sotheby’s, the auction house that orchestrated the sale, is known for handling some of the most significant car auctions in the world, and the successful sale of the W 196 R further solidifies their standing in the industry.
The buyer, whose identity has not been disclosed, now takes ownership of not only a spectacular racing machine but also a piece of automotive history.
The W 196 R is a reminder of the golden age of motorsport and the enduring appeal of Mercedes-Benz’s racing legacy.
As the automobile world continues to witness extraordinary sales like this one, the value of vintage racing cars remains on the rise, driven by both their historical significance and their unparalleled craftsmanship.
The sale of the W 196 R reinforces the growing trend of collectors seeking rare and unique vehicles that symbolize both luxury and the thrill of motorsport.
