The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé.
Photo: Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz AG
This $142 Million Mercedes-Benz Is Now the Most Expensive Car Ever Sold
Considered a crowned jewel in the motor industry, the sleek vehicle sold at a record-breaking price at auction with Sotheby’s
In a remarkable auction from RM Sotheby’s, a one-of-a-kind Mercedes-Benz has officially been christened the most expensive car ever sold. The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, built in 1955, sold to a private collector for an extraordinary €135 million—equivalent $142 million. As one of just two prototypes ever made, this sale marks the first time since its creation that the vehicle will be owned outside of Mercedes-Benz.
Built and named after the company’s chief engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut, the inspiration for this luxury vehicle came from the W 196 R Grand Prix race car, which secured two World Championship titles. While the 300 SLR never made it to the race track, it’s been renowned by motor enthusiasts and experts alike as the most beautiful car ever created and considered a crown jewel among the industry. Now with this sale, having beaten the price of the 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO which sold for roughly $70 million in 2018, the 300 SLR has added yet another superlative to its roster.
The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé Photo: Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz AG
All proceeds from the auction will go towards establishing the “Mercedes-Benz Fund,” which plans to provide scholarships for young individuals in areas of environmental science and decarbonization. The other prototype of the car will remain on display in Mercedes’ museum.
The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé Photo: Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz AG
The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé Photo: Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz AG
“What an absolute thrill to bring the hammer down on this masterpiece of design and engineering, which now stands shoulder to shoulder with the greatest works of art ever sold,” says Oliver Barker, Chairman of Sotheby’s Europe. “Few ever dreamt that this great jewel of motoring history would ever come for sale, and how fitting that it should happen now, just as we embark on a new and exciting chapter with our partners at RM Sotheby’s.”
Cover: The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé.
Photo: Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz AG
