A Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe from 1955 has been bought at public sale for a report worth of €135,000,000 ($142.5m) to a non-public collector, public sale home RM Sotheby’s has introduced.
The automotive, which is certainly one of two created in 1955, has at all times been thought to be one of many nice jewels of motoring historical past, however few ever imagined that it could be provided on the market. Considered one of simply two prototypes constructed by the Mercedes-Benz racing division, the automotive is known as after its creator and chief engineer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut, and is taken into account to be one of many most interesting examples of automotive engineering and design, usually cited as being “essentially the most stunning automotive on this planet” by automotive specialists and fanatics worldwide.
The exceptional 300 SLR was based mostly on the massively profitable W 196 R Grand Prix automotive which gained two world championships within the fingers of Juan Manuel Fangio, however with its engine enlarged to three.0 liters for sports activities automotive racing. The automotive was able to 180mph, making it one of many quickest street authorized vehicles to have ever been created on the time.
The sale of the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe occurred on Might 5 at an public sale held on the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, with RM Sotheby’s working in shut cooperation with Mercedes-Benz all through all the course of. Among the many invitees had been chosen Mercedes prospects and “worldwide collectors of vehicles and artwork who share the company values of Mercedes-Benz,” the public sale firm said.
The successful bid on the automotive makes it essentially the most worthwhile automotive ever bought and a worth which exceeds the prevailing report by greater than $95 million. The bidding opened at a worth increased than the promoting worth of the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO bought by RM Sotheby’s in 2018, the automotive which beforehand ranked as essentially the most worthwhile ever bought at public sale.
The 300 SLR now sits within the high 10 most dear gadgets ever bought at public sale. The proceeds will probably be used to determine a worldwide “Mercedes-Benz Fund” that can present instructional and analysis scholarships within the areas of environmental science and decarbonization for younger folks.
“We’re proud that we are able to contribute with our historic assortment to this initiative connecting the previous with the way forward for engineering and decarbonization know-how,” stated Marcus Breitschwerdt, Head of Mercedes-Benz Heritage. “The non-public purchaser has agreed that the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe will stay accessible for public show on particular events, whereas the second unique 300 SLR Coupe stays in firm possession and can proceed to be displayed on the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.”
Talking on behalf of RM Sotheby’s, Peter Wallman, Chairman, UK & EMEA, stated, “Phrases can’t actually do justice to the significance and significance of this sale. It’s cheap to say that no person ever imagined that this automotive would ever be provided on the market, so for Mercedes-Benz to ask RM Sotheby’s to conduct the public sale was an absolute honor.”
Oliver Barker, Chairman of Sotheby’s Europe, stated, “What an absolute thrill to convey the hammer down on this masterpiece of design and engineering, which now stands shoulder to shoulder with the best artistic endeavors ever bought. Few ever dreamt that this nice jewel of motoring historical past would ever come on the market, and the way becoming that it ought to occur now, simply as we embark on a brand new and thrilling chapter with our companions at RM Sotheby’s.”
