A Mercedes-Benz W196 R Stromlinienwagen, famously driven by Formula One icons Stirling Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio in 1955, has shattered auction records. The streamlined silver arrow, a relic from motorsport’s golden era, was sold for an astounding €51.15 million (£42.7 million) at a prestigious RM Sotheby’s auction held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. This sale marks a significant moment in automotive history, highlighting the enduring allure of classic racing cars and the legendary drivers who piloted them.
Representing the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), the car was offered with an estimated value exceeding €50 million. Bidding swiftly escalated, reaching €40 million in impressive €5 million increments before gradually narrowing down to a final hammer price of €46.5 million. The ultimate sale price, including buyer’s premium, reached the remarkable €51.15 million figure. While the identity of the buyer remains undisclosed, the acquisition of such a historically significant vehicle speaks volumes about its unparalleled value to collectors and motorsport enthusiasts alike.
This particular W196 R Stromlinienwagen is one of only four complete models remaining, adding to its rarity and desirability. While it falls short of the overall record for the most expensive car ever auctioned – a 1955 Mercedes 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé sold for €135 million in May 2022 – it claims the title of the most expensive grand prix car ever sold at auction, surpassing the previous record held by another ex-Fangio Mercedes W196 from 1954, which fetched $29.6 million in 2013.
This auction marked the very first time a W196 R with the streamlined body became available for private ownership. Its historical significance is deeply rooted in its racing pedigree. While driven to victory by the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio at the 1955 non-championship Buenos Aires Grand Prix, it was configured with a more conventional open-wheel body. However, it is perhaps most famously associated with Stirling Moss.
Moss piloted this very car, with its distinctive streamlined bodywork extending over the wheels, at the season-ending Italian Grand Prix at Monza in 1955. Despite setting the fastest lap with an average speed of 134mph, Moss was unfortunately forced to retire from the race. This Monza Grand Prix holds a poignant place in Mercedes-Benz motorsport history. It was the final race for the Silver Arrows team before the company withdrew from factory-sponsored motorsport in 1955, a consequence of the devastating Le Mans 24 Hours disaster. Mercedes-Benz would later return to Formula One as an engine supplier in 1994 and with its own works team in 2010, building on the legacy established by cars like this W196R and drivers like Stirling Moss.
The auctioned car, chassis number 00009/54, boasts a unique history beyond its racing exploits. It was generously donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway by Mercedes-Benz in 1965. For nearly six decades, it served as a prized exhibit within the IMS Museum. The decision to auction this automotive icon was made to bolster the museum’s restoration projects and acquisitions, with a focus on expanding its collection of US-centric motorsport history.
According to curator Jason Vansickle, while acknowledging the car’s beauty and historical importance, its relevance to the IMS’s core collection was slightly outside their current scope. The proceeds from this landmark auction will empower the museum to enhance its offerings and better serve its mission in preserving and celebrating American motorsport heritage. The sale of this Mercedes-Benz W196 R, forever linked to the names of Fangio and particularly Stirling Moss, not only represents a record-breaking transaction but also ensures the legacy of this remarkable machine will continue to inspire future generations of motorsport enthusiasts.
