1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR sold for a record US$142 million

At US$142 million, the 300 SLR is valued at nearly double that of a Ferrari 250 GTO, which sold for US$70 million at a private sale in 2018.

The record for the world’s most expensive car is believed to have been smashed. According to unconfirmed media reports, Mercedes-Benz has sold one of its ultra-luxurious Silver Arrows racecars for a whopping 135 million euros (US$142 million).

It is said that the seller, on behalf of Mercedes-Benz, had invited 10 (or fewer) carefully selected car collectors for the secret auction. He made sure they were not only wealthy enough to pay but also satisfied with the strict criteria laid down by the German car brand. Reports suggest that Mercedes-Benz wanted to ensure the custodian of the Silver Arrow lavish the car with the same attention as the company, while also sharing the car at events.

All potential buyers were invited to the Mercedes-Benz museum in Stuttgart, with the key collectors being flown in on a private jet. Mercedes-Benz, though, is yet to confirm the rumours of the world-record sale.

If confirmed, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR will become the most expensive car in the world. At US$142 million, the 300 SLR is valued at nearly double that of a Ferrari 250 GTO, which sold for US$70 million at a private sale in 2018.

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR had dominated the racing scene, winning 9 of the 12 races it entered and helping F1 legend Juan Manuel Fangio win the driver’s world championship in 1954 and 1955. The “Silver Arrow” also dominated the world sportscar championship in 1955 with Sir Stirling Moss behind the wheel.

Mercedes-Benz built two road-legal 300 SLRs with hardtops, called Uhlenhaut Coupe. One of them was driven by Rudolf Uhlenhaut, head of the test department, who drove it as a company car. The second model is the one that is said to have been sold at the auction.

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