A 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Streamliner has been sold for an astonishing €51.155 million ($53.92 million) in a standalone auction by RM Sotheby’s at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.
This makes it the second most valuable car ever sold at auction, surpassed only by the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupé”, which fetched €135 million in 2022.
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Originally donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in 1965, the legendary Silver Arrow attracted intense global interest, with fierce bidding both over the phone and in person before the hammer fell. The sale establishes the W 196 R as the most valuable Grand Prix racing car ever sold.
The W 196 R played a pivotal role in Mercedes-Benz’s dominance of Grand Prix racing in the 1950s, competing under the hands of motorsport icons Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss. Developed to meet new 2.5-litre engine regulations in 1954, it remains one of the most advanced and celebrated racing machines in history.
Key Reactions:
- Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH: “This sale confirms our Silver Arrows as some of the most iconic and sought-after vehicles in motorsport history.”
- Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions, RM Sotheby’s: “It’s hard to overstate the significance of this sale. This is one of the most important racing cars ever.”
- Joe Hale, President, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum: “The proceeds will be transformative for our museum’s collection, restoration efforts, and long-term sustainability.”
The auction was held on February 1, 2025, in the same room where the Uhlenhaut Coupé made history in 2022, reinforcing Mercedes-Benz’s dominance in the collector car market.
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