Sold 135 million euros, a Mercedes would have exploded the record for the most expensive car
Forget the Ferrari 250 GTOs and Bugatti Atlantics of this world, the most expensive new car in the world would now be a Mercedes!
When we think of the most expensive car ever sold, we inevitably think of the Ferrari 250 GTO. This rare and extremely sought-after model had already passed the 65 million euros in a private sale in 2018. But according to Hargerty, a well-informed specialist in collector car insurance, this record has just been greatly exceeded. And not by a Ferrari, or even a Bugatti 57 SC Atlantic, which regularly panics the counters. No, this is a Mercedes, which would have been sold 135 million euros…
The Mercedes 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, a racing car for the road
According to the sources cited by Hagerty Insider, Mercedes-Benz Historical Museum would indeed have decided to separate from one of the two Mercedes 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe. As its name suggests, the 300 SLR has little to do with the already popular 300 SL. This is actually a sport-prototype version of the incredible single-seater W196which decimated Formula 1 in 1954 and 1955 to the buts of Juan-Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss.
Nine of these Mercedes 300 SLRs were built in the 1950s. In the same vein as F1’s W196, the 300 SLR is clearly years ahead of its competitors technologically. She wins the legendary race of Mille Miglia in 1955 at its launch, then signs a double at the Targa Florio. But the brilliant career of the 300 SLR was cut short by the tragedy of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 1955. During the race, Pierre Levegh’s Mercedes took off on another competitor and crashed into the crowd, killing 84 people. Mercedes then officially withdraws from motorsport.
An incredible sum for this Mercedes!
But before the tragedy, Mercedes had decided to transform two 300 SLRs to homologate them for the road. The objective then was to compete in rallies, such as the Carrera Panamericana. Designed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut, these two coupés then took the name of their creator. Everything is clearly inspired by the 300 SL, with a slightly widened chassis and butterfly doors. But under the bodywork hides the racing beast, capable of almost 300 km/h. A monster that will not be beaten for many years.
Mercedes-Benz had carefully preserved these two 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupés until then. But according to Hagerty’s information, one of the two would have been sold, during a private event. The amount mentioned is completely crazy: 135 million euros ! That’s nearly double the previous record. But having a bottomless bank account would not have been enough for you to buy this car. Mercedes would indeed have carefully selected about 10 potential buyers, with car preservation criteria. These happy gentlemen would then meet for lunch at Mercedes headquarters, during which the sale would take place.
Source: Hagerty Insider
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