In a jaw-dropping auction at Stuttgart’s Mercedes Benz Museum this February, a 1955 Mercedes Benz W196R “Stromlinienwagen” once driven by legends Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss changed hands for a staggering €51.155 million(≈ £43.6 million). It now holds the title of the most expensive Grand Prix car ever sold.
A Racing Fairy Tale
Back in 1955 the silver-streamlined W196R represented the pinnacle of Formula 1 engineering. Its desmodromic valves, in-board brakes and direct fuel injection propelled it to victory in Buenos Aires and earned the fastest lap at Monza. Only four of these “Stromlinienwagen” variants were ever built,and this was the very first to leave factory and museum hands for a private collector.
Bidding War to Remember
When RM Sotheby’s opened the floor bids rocketed past €40 million in furious €5 million leaps. The final hammer price before buyer’s fees settled at €46.5 million,topping out at €51.155 million all-in. The anonymous winning bidder instantly secured their place in motoring folklore.
Why the Obsession
Historical pedigree
This car brought Mercedes’ original Silver Arrows racing chapter to a triumphant close
Bullet-proof provenance
Original factory build sheets,race records and continuous museum display since 1965 leave no room for doubt
Engineering icon
Its aerodynamic silhouette still influences race-car design seven decades on
“Owning this W196R is like having a Stradivarius violin,” says motorsport historian Dr Elena Fischer. “It’s rare, pivotal and simply unmatched.”
Shockwaves Through the Collector World
This sale obliterated the previous F1-car record by almost 80 per cent, a dramatic reset for blue-chip race-car values. Wealthy collectors are increasingly treating landmark automobiles as alternative assets, and auction houses are lining up more ultra-premium motorsport events. Proceeds will bolster restoration projects at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, safeguarding automotive heritage for future generations.
What This Means for You
For serious collectors the message is clear:provenance and rarity command princely sums. Meticulous due diligence, from chassis verification to factory paperwork, is non-negotiable. As traditional investments wobble, blue-chip motorsport icons are roaring ahead as a thrilling diversification play.
At Relic Horizon we live for moments like this. Explore our Collectibles Spotlight to discover more icons, and share your own auction triumphs anywhere in the Collectors Network.
