Mercedes W196 R of Fangio and Moss sold at auction for over 50 million euros. The Mercedes W196 R car, dating back to 1954, is now the most expensive Formula 1 car ever sold .

In 2022, the Mercedes 300SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé made history by becoming the most expensive classic car ever sold at auction. Produced in only two units in 1955, the car was purchased for a record 150 million euros at the Mercedes museum in Stuttgart, which was also the site of another recent record, this time in the world of Formula 1 and motorsport.

The 1954 Mercedes W196 R Stromlinienwagen was sold to a private individual on behalf of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (which had received the car as a gift from Daimler-Benz AG in the 1960s) for the sum of 51,155,000 euros. After making its debut at the 1954 French Grand Prix with five-time World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio behind the wheel, the car also saw success with Stirling Moss at the 1955 British Grand Prix. During the 1954-1955 period, Moss secured the aforementioned victory, while Fangio claimed eight wins and the World Championship title in both seasons.

“What an exciting auction,” said Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH, after the sale organized by RM Sotheby’s. “This W 196 R with its streamlined body has now changed hands, and I congratulate the fortunate buyer. Very few Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows are privately owned. Today, the hammer came down at 51,155,000 euros. This makes it the most valuable Grand Prix racing car in the world and brings it close to the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR ‘Uhlenhaut-Coupé,’ the all-time champion in the general ranking of the most valuable cars. Without a doubt, our Silver Arrows are among the most iconic and sought-after vehicles ever built. They are the true shining stars in the galaxy of motorsport and automotive history.”