World’s most expensive car: Mercedes sells for record $143 million (2024)
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Historical photo of the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé (Photo courtesy Mercedes-Benz)
STUTTGART, Germany - A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, one of only two on Earth, has sold for a record $143 million, making it the most expensive car in the world.
The car was named after its creator and chief engineer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut, and was sold at auction to a private collector on May 5, according to Mercedes-Benz. Its known for its racing technology and distinctive "gullwing" doors. Before this sale, a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO, the Holy Grail model, sold for $70 million and was thought to be the most expensive car on the planet.
Proceeds from the Mercedes sale will be used to start a global scholarship fund, Mercedes said, "to encourage a new generation to follow in Rudolf Uhlenhaut's innovative footsteps and develop amazing new technologies, particularly those that support the critical goal of decarbonization and resource preservation."
"We are convinced that access to education in these areas will be crucial in encountering the great challenges of our time and contribute to greater stability, prosperity and social cohesion," Renata Jungo Brüngger, a Mercedes management board member, said.
The other 300 SLR Uhlenhau prototype is still owned by Mercedes and can be viewed at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR (W 196 S) is a two-seat sports racing car that took part in the 1955 World Sportscar Championship before a catastrophic crash and fire at Le Mans later that year ended its domination prematurely.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Mercedes-Benz_300_SLR
Uhlenhaut Coupé sold for €135 million (US$143 million) at an auction at RM Sotheby's, making it the most expensive car, and one of the top 10 most valuable collectible items, ever sold in the world.
That title belongs to the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, which was sold to an unnamed private collector in 2022 for the stunning price of €135 million (approx. $203m at the time), which makes it the most expensive car ever sold - from any brand.
The winning bid was made by British car collector, advisor and dealer Simon Kidston on behalf of an unnamed client. Kidston lobbied the Mercedes-Benz board for 18 months to consider selling the car.
On 5 May 2022, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé was auctioned by Sotheby's in Stuttgart, Germany, and sold for $142 million (£115 million; €135 million).
It's worth a whopping Rs 232 Crore and only 3 people in the world own it. Amongst the three owners of the most expensive car in the world is music power couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé…
Mercedes-Benz has sold the world's most expensive car for around $144 million. The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé was sold at an RM Sotheby's auction to British car collector Simon Kidston, who bought the car on behalf of an unnamed collector.
A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé is the most expensive car ever sold, having gone under the hammer for a staggering $135m in 2022 - the equivalent of £114.4m. Previously owned by Mercedes-Benz, the car was sold by RM Sotheby's at the Mercedes-Benz Museum to an anonymous buyer.
On 5 May 2022, in Stuttgart, Germany, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe was sold for $142,769,250 (£115.1 million; €135.1 million), becoming the most expensive car ever sold. But what makes this car so special?
There were only nine of these vehicles ever made; one was destroyed at Le Mans; two were converted into coupés (thus the famous Uhlenhaut coupé, named after the car's design, Rudolf Uhlenhaut); and of the six roadsters that remain, all are owned by Mercedes and housed in company museums in Munich and Stuttgart, at the ...
However, the car was surplus to requirements after Mercedes-Benz pulled out of motor racing following the tragic events at Le Mans that year, and Uhlenhaut ended up commandeering the sale car as his personal transportation.
$143 Million Mercedes-Benz 300SLR Is the Most Expensive Car in the World. Mercedes-Benz sold its 300SLR Uhlenhaut coupe to a private collector and will use the proceeds for a global charitable fund. It's one of only two in existence.
The car, previously owned by Mercedes-Benz, was sold by RM Sotheby's at the Mercedes-Benz Museum on May 5. The buyer has chosen to be anonymous, with the winning bid being placed on his/her behalf by Simon Kidston, head of historic car specialist Kidston SA.
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