One of only two existing versions of the 1955 Mercedes-Benz, it was auctioned earlier this month and fetched an incredible €135 million ($143 million). Thus becoming, as announced by auctioneer RM Sotheby's, the most expensive car in the world. The auction took place at the MercedesBenz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany and was open to invitations only.
“A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe has been sold at auction for a record €135 million to a private collector,” the classic car auction company said. The vehicle sold for nearly triple the value of the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO that had a record set in 2018 that grossed over $48 million.
According to RM Sotheby's, the car is one of two prototypes built by the Mercedes-Benz racing department and is named after its creator and chief engineer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut.
“The private buyer has agreed that the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe will remain accessible for public viewing on special occasions, while the second original 300 SLR Coupe remains on company property and will continue to be displayed at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart,” the statement said. auction company.
Mercedes-Benz Group AG CEO Ola Källenius and Renata Jungo Brüngger, Member of the Management Board of Mercedes-Benz Group AG for Integrity and Legal Affairs, landed next to the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, the most expensive car in the world. According to Mercedes-Benz, the proceeds from the sale of the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé will finance the “Mercedes-Benz Fund”, a global scholarship program.
