By Jennifer Calgas
A rare 1955 Mercedes-Benz DMLRY -1.31%▼ vehicle known for its speed, design and engineering is now the most expensive car ever sold at auction.
RM Sotheby’s sold a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe for a record 135 million euros, or $142 million, the auction house specializing in cars said Thursday. The exclusive auction took place earlier this month at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
Mercedes-Benz Group AG, which has owned the rare car since it was built decades ago, said it would use the money to launch a fund for scholarships in environmental science.
A private collector, whose identity wasn’t disclosed by RM Sotheby’s, came out on top at the May 5 auction, where bidders in attendance were vetted by Mercedes-Benz and the record-setting car was the only lot up for grabs.
The winning bid was nearly three times as large as the previous record for a car sold at auction. A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO by Scaglietti sold for more than $48.4 million, setting the previous record at an RM Sotheby’s auction in 2018.
PHOTO: MERCEDES-BENZ AG
A 1955 Mercedes-Benz Just Became the World’s Most Expensive Car Sold at Auction
Rare vehicle sells for $142 million, nearly three times larger than previous record
A rare 1955 Mercedes-Benz DMLRY -1.31%▼ vehicle known for its speed, design and engineering is now the most expensive car ever sold at auction.
RM Sotheby’s sold a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe for a record 135 million euros, or $142 million, the auction house specializing in cars said Thursday. The exclusive auction took place earlier this month at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
Mercedes-Benz Group AG, which has owned the rare car since it was built decades ago, said it would use the money to launch a fund for scholarships in environmental science.
A private collector, whose identity wasn’t disclosed by RM Sotheby’s, came out on top at the May 5 auction, where bidders in attendance were vetted by Mercedes-Benz and the record-setting car was the only lot up for grab
The winning bid was nearly three times as large as the previous record for a car sold at auction. A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO by Scaglietti sold for more than $48.4 million, setting the previous record at a RM Sotheby’s auction in 2018.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, now in private hands, is one of two prototypes named after Rudolf Uhlenhaut, the car’s chief engineer and creator who was the head of passenger car development. The company touted the car’s engineering, speed and design, with features including gull-wing doors.
“I don’t think anyone ever did really expect that Mercedes would sell one of these,” said Peter Haynes, marketing and communications director for RM Sotheby’s EMEA, in an interview.
“This is the kind of Mona Lisa of the car world,” Mr. Haynes said. “It’s very hard for anyone to imagine any other car that would have a value that would exceed this, just like it’s hard to think of a painting that would be more valuable than the Mona Lisa.”
Mercedes-Benz said few people have driven the vehicle, which could reach around 180 miles an hour, according to the company. It never competed in a race. Mr. Uhlenhaut used it as his company car.
Marcus Breitschwerdt, head of Mercedes-Benz’s brand and corporate heritage division, said in a statement that the private collector who bought the car said they would make it available for public viewing on special occasions. The company’s second prototype of the vehicle will also be available to view at the Mercedes-Benz Museum.
PHOTO: MERCEDES-BENZ AG
Write to Jennifer Calfas at jennifer.calfas@wsj.com
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