One other record-breaking public sale, and as soon as once more, it’s a Mercedes-Benz. After the Uhlenhaut Coupé turned the costliest automobile ever offered in 2022 for €135 million, RM Sotheby’s has now set a brand new benchmark. The 1954 Mercedes W 196 R streamliner has formally turn out to be the costliest racing automobile in historical past, fetching an astonishing €51 million at an unique public sale.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum required funds to modernise its amenities and restore its assortment of 180 iconic autos. As a part of this effort, they parted methods with certainly one of their most useful displays: the 1954 Mercedes W 196 R, a legendary automobile that when claimed victory on the Argentine Grand Prix. RM Sotheby’s selected to not public sale this historic race automobile at prestigious occasions comparable to Paris, Pebble Seashore, or Dubai. As a substitute, a one-of-a-kind public sale was held in an unique setting, the place the automobile, as soon as pushed by Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss, fetched €51,155,000, setting a brand new world file for a racing automobile.
“This automobile, with chassis quantity 00009/54, is completely distinctive, and a standard public sale occasion wouldn’t have been the best venue,” defined Peter Haynes of RM Sotheby’s in London. “Although the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum was promoting it, its historical past is inseparably linked to Mercedes-Benz, making this museum the right setting for a single-car public sale.”
No less than one bidder was bodily current on the Mercedes-Benz Museum, whereas others positioned their bids remotely through RM Sotheby’s representatives, usually after weeks of negotiations. Underneath the highlight, the silver Mercedes W 196 R streamliner, adorned with race quantity 16, sat centre stage. Conducting the public sale was Sholto Gilbertson, who introduced down the hammer after 14 minutes, saying: “Bought for €46.5 million.” With purchaser’s premium and tax included, the ultimate worth rose to an astonishing €51,155,000.
In contrast to typical auctions that includes a number of gadgets, this unique sale revolved round a single automobile. Potential patrons needed to pre-register, receiving a novel bidder quantity for putting their provides. The profitable bid belonged to quantity 6128, however the identification of the customer stays strictly confidential. The bidding course of adopted a structured path, rising in increments from €20 million to €46.5 million, leaving little question that the Uhlenhaut Coupé’s 2022 file would stay unchallenged.
“This end result isn’t stunning, as a Components 1 Grand Prix automobile is much extra specialised than a road-going mannequin, which appeals to a broader market,” famous Peter Haynes.
Whereas in depth preparation was required for the sale, auctioneer Sholto Gilbertson’s function was comparatively easy. Solely a handpicked group of elite collectors had been meticulously vetted prematurely, with most taking part through phone bidding.
“There’s solely a really choose group of people worldwide able to buying such an distinctive racing machine,” defined Peter Haynes. “Our consultants spent months figuring out and approaching potential patrons, making certain that solely critical contenders had been concerned.”
Even Mercedes-Benz and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum stay unaware of the customer’s identification, as confidentiality is paramount in such high-stakes transactions. Whereas some anticipated the automobile to fetch €60 million or extra, the ultimate €51.15 million nonetheless marks an unprecedented achievement.
After 14 tense minutes, aid unfold throughout the room. Marcus Breitschwert, head of Mercedes-Benz Traditional, and the RM Sotheby’s workforce had been delighted that months of preparation had resulted in such a historic sale.
The brand new proprietor now possesses a real automotive unicorn. The W 196 R is the one instance of its type in non-public palms. Earlier than the public sale, the monoposto underwent in depth analysis, making certain that its new custodian would face no surprising surprises.
In contrast to the Uhlenhaut Coupé, which was offered by Mercedes-Benz, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum had been the proprietor of this priceless race automobile since 1965, when it was gifted by Mercedes-Benz. For the previous six a long time, it remained one of many museum’s crown jewels, displayed only a stone’s throw from the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Now, it’ll disappear into the non-public assortment of an unknown purchaser—wherever on the earth which may be.
