A rare 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R Stromlinienwagen has made history, fetching a staggering €51 million (approximately ₹458 crore) at auction, making it the most expensive Formula 1 car ever sold. The auction, conducted by RM Sotheby’s on February 1, 2025, took place at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. Details regarding the buyer remain undisclosed.
This remarkable sale places the W196 R as the second most valuable car in the world, surpassed only by the 1955 Mercedes 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, which sold for a record ₹1,266 crore in 2022.
A Historic Racing Machine
The W196 R, bearing chassis number ‘00009/54’, boasts a rich motorsport legacy. Racing legend Juan Manuel Fangio piloted this very car to victory at the 1955 Buenos Aires Grand Prix. It was also driven by Sir Stirling Moss during the 1955 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where it set the fastest lap of the race.
Powered by a 2.5-litre straight-eight engine with direct fuel injection, the car delivered an impressive 290hp. Its aerodynamically optimized bodywork was designed for high-speed circuits like Monza, solidifying its status as one of the most technologically advanced F1 cars of its time.
A Legacy Preserved
Following its retirement from competitive racing, Mercedes-Benz donated the W196 R to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in 1965, where it remained for nearly six decades. Throughout its time there, the car was meticulously preserved and showcased at prestigious automotive events, including the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, a world-renowned classic car show.
The W196 R played a pivotal role in Mercedes-Benz’s dominant return to Formula 1 during the 1950s, and its record-breaking auction underscores its significance as one of the most legendary race cars ever built.
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