A rare and one of the most historically significant race cars – the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R “Streamliner” has sold for €51,155,000 (approx £42,560,000) at an exclusive single-car RM Sotheby’s auction held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.
With the sale, the car took the title of the second most expensive vehicle ever sold at public auction and the most valuable Grand Prix car ever sold.
A Racing Legend
The W 196 R, chassis 00009/54, was originally donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum by then Daimler-Benz AG in 1965. The museum has now sold the car to fund its collection and restoration efforts.
The Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows were dominant in Grand Prix racing, and the W 196 R, developed for the 2.5-litre Formula 1 regulations of 1954, was a force to be reckoned with. Driven by racing legends such as Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss, this car was seen as the one to beat in races.
Competitive Bidding
The auction, held on February 1st 2025, saw huge interest among global collectors, with bids being placed over the phone and in person.
The auction actually took place in the same room where RM Sotheby’s set the all-time auction record with the sale of the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé in 2022.
“What a thrilling auction that was! This original, sleek-bodied, W 196 R original has now changed hands – and I congratulate the lucky buyer. Very few Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows are privately owned. Today the hammer fell at €51,155,000/ $53,017,370 US making this racing car the world’s second most valuable car – hot on the heels of the all-time champ, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR ’Uhlenhaut Coupé’. Without a doubt, our Silver Arrows are up there among the most iconic and sought-after vehicles ever built. They are the true shining stars in the firmament of motorsport and automotive history.”
Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH
“It’s hard to describe the significance of this sale. This car is simply one of the most important racing cars in history and it’s an honour for RM Sotheby’s to sell it so successfully to benefit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.”
Gord Duff, RM Sotheby’s, Global Head of auctions
“The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum has been honored to care for and share the W 196 R within our museum, but the sum it has achieved today is a transformative contribution to increase our endowment and long-term sustainability as well as the restoration and expansion of our collection.”
Joe Hale, President, The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
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