Ever wondered what’s the most expensive car ever? The answer is a ‘Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR”.
While Mercedes is losing to Ferrari in Formula 1 for the first time in years, there’s one field where the three-pointed star has just triumphed over the prancing horse. A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé was just sold at auction to a private collector for an eye-watering 135 million euros, topping the previous record of 70 million USD (roughly 65 million euros) for a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO. This record was set just last year.
The current record holder, the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé is one of just two in existence. It was named after its creator and chief engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut. The proceeds from the sale have been channeled to a global scholarship programme under the “Mercedes-Benz Fund” for education and actions towards a more sustainable future.
The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé is one of the most iconic automobiles in history. Read more about it here.
Here’s the press release with more.
PRESS RELEASE
History and auction of 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé
The sale of the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé took place on May 5th at an auction held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in cooperation with renowned auctioneer RM Sotheby’s. The invitees were among selected Mercedes-Benz customers and international collectors of cars and art, who share the corporate values of Mercedes-Benz. The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé sold at auction was part of the non-public vehicle collection belonging to Mercedes-Benz Classic, comprising more than 1100 automobiles from the invention of the automobile in 1886 until today.
The special circumstances behind its creation, its unique design and its innovative technology have endowed the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé with a remarkable level of mystique that endures to this day. The design of the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé set benchmarks that put it among the world’s most significant automotive icons – not least on account of its distinctive “gullwing” doors. Added to this is the outstanding performance delivered by its thoroughbred racing technology. Together, both have secured the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé its acclaimed position in sports car mythology and a very special place in the hearts of Mercedes fans around the world.
