The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe has turn out to be the world’s most costly automobile promoting for an astonishing €135 million or almost US$142.9 million, smashing the previous report set by a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO that’s believed to have offered for $48.4 million in 2018 by a whopping by $94.5 million.

Considered one of two ultra-rare authentic 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupes from the Mercedes-Benz Basic Assortment, the particular mannequin was offered by Mercedes itself in cooperation with RM Sotherby’s to an unnamed non-public collector who was represented by British professional Simon Kidston.

What Makes The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR ‘Uhlenhaut Coupe’ Particular

Based mostly on the W 196 R Grand Prix automobile, which gained a number of world championships by the hands of Juan Manuel Fangio, the 300 SLR was designed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut and carries his identify. Energy is supplied by a 3.0-liter straight-eight engine producing 302 horsepower, which was ok to rocket the machine from 0-60mph in simply 6.9sec, onto a prime pace of 176.47mph, as examined by Autocar in 1956.

Seven SLR examples had been constructed however solely two featured enclosed cockpits for endurance racing use, nevertheless, the car was by no means truly raced however was as a substitute used for follow and as Uhlenhaut’s private transportation to occasions.

The 2 examples had been nicknamed Pink and Blue for his or her inside shade. This one is “Pink”, and options simply 6,045km on the odometer. Mercedes-Benz has saved each automobiles in its assortment since new, with this sale marking the primary time one was obtainable to buy.

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Solely a choose few people had been invited to participate within the public sale, which happened on the Mercedes Benz museum the place the car has lived for the final 67 years.

The bidding began at an unimaginable 50 million euros, greater than the ultimate value of the earlier most costly automobile offered at public sale: a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO. Because the hammer got here down, the quantity on the Mercedes-Benz was €135 million (equal to $142.9 million at present trade charges), making it the most costly car on the planet, in addition to some of the costly issues ever auctioned.

Simon Kidston positioned the successful bid on behalf of an unnamed consumer, after lobbying Mercedes-Benz’s board of administrators to promote the race automobile for some 18-months. He has beforehand described the Uhlenhaut Coupe as his “favourite automobile”, and was one of many only a few to check drive it. Kidston himself confirmed up on the public sale on Might fifth, 2022, within the 300SL Gullwing that his father had bought new in 1955.

The car gained’t be locked away in some collector’s non-public storage and can stay accessible for particular events. The second automobile, “Blue”, will stay on show at Mercedes-Benz’s museum in Stuttgart. It’s not clear whether or not or not Gert Straub, the 300 SLR’s private mechanic, will accompany the car to its new proprietor.

“We’re proud that we are able to contribute with our historic assortment to this initiative connecting the previous with the way forward for engineering and decarbonisation know-how”, says Marcus Breitschwerdt, Head of Mercedes Benz Heritage. “The non-public purchaser has agreed that the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé will stay accessible for public show on particular events, whereas the second authentic 300 SLR Coupé stays in firm possession and can proceed to be displayed on the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.“

Mercedes stated that the cash from the sale will go towards a charity fund set as much as present instructional and analysis scholarships within the areas of environmental science and decarbonization for younger folks.

Photos Mercedes-Benz, RM Sotherby’s, Simon Kidston