A 1955 Mercedes-Benz, sold for $143 million at auction, became the world’s most expensive car. The car is only one of the two Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupes. On May 5, it was auctioned at a private auction held by RM Sotheby’s at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart to a private buyer.
The auction house said that the vehicle’s high price places it in the “top 10 most valuable items ever sold at auction in any collecting category”.
“The private buyer has agreed that the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe will remain accessible for public display on special occasions. While the second original 300 SLR Coupe remains in company ownership and will continue to be displayed at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart,” the auction company added.
Mercedes-Benz Fund
The use of auction revenues will be for a scholarship foundation. It will be to launch the Mercedes-Benz Fund. Moreover, it will support environmental science and decarbonization studies around the world. Additional details on the project will be available soon. With a maximum speed of 180 mph, the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe was the fastest road car at the time. It gets the name after Rudolf Uhlenhaut, the maker and main engineer.
“The 300SLR Uhlenhaut coupes are milestones in sports-car development and key historical elements that have shaped our brand,” Mercedes-Benz Group CEO said in a statement. “The decision to sell one of these two unique sports cars was taken with very sound reasoning to benefit a good cause. With the Mercedes-Benz Fund, we would like to encourage a new generation to follow in Rudolf Uhlenhaut’s innovative footsteps and develop amazing new technologies. Particularly those that support the critical goal of decarbonization and resource preservation. At the same time, achieving the highest price ever paid for a vehicle is extraordinary and humbling.”
The car has a long history. In June 1955, catastrophe hit the Mercedes-Benz team. One of its 300 SLR cars crashed during the 24 Hours of Le Man’s race. It resulted in the death of French driver Pierre Levegh and 83 spectators. However, the corporation had to leave the sport for years after the catastrophe. It was certainly the deadliest in the sport’s history.