Mercedes has just sold the most expensive car in the world, the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, for $142 million.
Courtesy of Kidston Motor Cars
Mercedes-Benz confirmed on Thursday that it recently sold the most expensive car in the world. A very rare 1955 Mercedes-Benz SLR coupe that had been kept in the German manufacturer’s collection has been sold to a private owner for 135 million euros, the equivalent of $142 million. That price makes it the most expensive car ever sold, according to Hagerty, a company that tracks collector car values.
Money from the sale will be used to create the Mercedes-Benz Fund, a global scholarship fund, Mercedes said in a statement. announcement.
The previous record selling price for a car would have been $70 million paid in 2018 for a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO.
The Mercedes sold was one of only two 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé prototypes. The 67-year-old cars were named after then-Mercedes chief engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut, and are said to have a top speed of 186 mph. It was sold at a closed, invitation-only auction at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart on May 5. The auction was organized in cooperation with car auction company RM Sotheby’s.
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The other Uhlenhaut coupe will remain in the museum’s collection, according to a statement from Mercedes-Benz.
“Their 1930s and 1950s race cars are rare, and most are still factory-owned, so any that come to market are highly sought after,” said Brian Rabold, vice president of automotive intelligence at Hagerty.
Mercedes’ “Gullwing” SLRs – so called because of the doors that stick up like curved wings – are considered one of the most desirable cars in the world. And various rare and racing versions are particularly valuable.
The SLR Uhlenhaut coupé was essentially a hardtop version of Mercedes’ famous open-top SLR race car, powered by a 300 horsepower eight-cylinder engine. The idea was that a closed car would better protect drivers from wind and weather at high speeds, while the closed roof would also improve aerodynamics.
Shortly after the development of these cars, Mercedes stopped their involvement in motorsport, so the cars were never used in competition.
While the identity of the car’s new owners remains unknown, British classic car dealer Simon Kidston claimed in a press release that they placed the winning bid on behalf of a customer.
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Edmunds says: When a compact sedan survives nearly 50 years and continues to redefine its segment, you know it’s special. The Honda Civic is both sporty to drive and comfortable inside, with well-cushioned seats and a smooth ride. There’s also a lot more space than you’d expect from a car in this class. The Civic sedan has a huge trunk and there is plenty of space in the back as well.
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Top Rated Truck: 2021 Ford F-150
The 2021 Ford F-150 is Edmunds’ highest-rated truck award winner. The improvements in this latest generation were substantial enough to knock the Ram 1500 off its peak.
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