Some cars appreciate in value instead of depreciating. This is especially with classic and vintage cars that have made a name for themselves because of their rarity and legendary feats. But this 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé essentially dominates them all in terms of value, after a collector bought it at an auction for a staggering $146.6 million.
Breaking The Auction Record By $95 Million
The sale took place on May 5, 2022, at a private auction at the Mercedes-Benz Museum, in cooperation with RM Sotheby’s. Among those invited to participate in the auction were a few selected Mercedes-Benz customers and international collectors. The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé was part of the non-public vehicle collection of Mercedes-Benz Classic. To date, Mercedes-Benz Classic has more than 1,100 automobiles in its collection.
The winning bid on the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé was €135 million ($146.6 million) which makes it its most valuable car ever sold. It beats the current sale record by more than $95 million. In fact, according to RM Sotheby’s, the opening bid was higher than the selling price of the previous record-holder -- the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO. The price catapults the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé into the top ten most valuable items ever sold at auction.
The Fastest Race Car To Never Compete In A Race
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé -- named after its creator and chief engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut – was a car that exceeded the technical possibilities of its time. With an unladen weight of just 2,200 lbs, the 300 SLR could deliver 298 hp to the wheels via a manual five-speed transmission.
Mercedes only built two racing prototypes of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Coupé, named “The Red” and “The Blue” after their interior colors. The 300 SLR sold at the recent auction was The Red, which features a fuel filler neck located under the trunk lid. Together, these two 300 SLR prototypes became known as the fastest race cars to never compete in a race.
As to why Mercedes built only two prototypes, the answer lies in the fact that Mexico canceled the 1955 Carrera Panamericana. This prompted Mercedes to withdraw from motorsports at the end of the season, and instead focus on the development of passenger cars.
Auction Proceeds To Serve As Mercedes-Benz Fund
Mercedes plans to use the proceeds as seed capital for the global “Mercedes-Benz Fund” initiative. This initiative aims to provide educational and research scholarships in the areas of environmental science and decarbonization. The program will include extracurricular elements like Mercedes-Benz mentorships.
Source: RM Sotheby’s, Mercedes-Benz