A Mercedes-Benz W196 R, famously raced by Formula One legends Stirling Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio in the 1955 season, has shattered auction records. The streamlined silver arrow, a true testament to Mercedes’ racing heritage and intrinsically linked to the name Moss Mercedes, sold for an astounding €51.15 million (£42.7 million). This sale sets a new benchmark for grand prix cars sold at auction, highlighting the enduring appeal and historical significance of this particular Moss Mercedes vehicle.
RM Sotheby’s conducted the auction at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. The W196 R Stromlinienwagen, one of only four complete models remaining, was offered on behalf of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). Anticipation was high, with pre-auction estimates exceeding €50 million. Bidding rapidly ascended to €40 million in substantial €5 million increments before gradually reaching the final hammer price of €46.5 million. With buyer’s premium included, the ultimate price reached the record-breaking €51.15 million figure. The identity of the buyer has not yet been disclosed to the public.
This significant sale positions the Moss Mercedes W196 R as one of the most valuable cars ever auctioned. While it doesn’t surpass the record held by the 1955 Mercedes 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, which sold for an unprecedented €135 million in May 2022, it firmly establishes the W196 R’s place in automotive history and the collector car market. Previously, another ex-Fangio Mercedes W196 held the grand prix car auction record, fetching $29.6 million at Goodwood in 2013. This latest sale substantially exceeds that figure, demonstrating the escalating value of these historically significant racing machines and the particular draw of a Moss Mercedes.
This particular W196 R, chassis number 00009/54, is especially noteworthy as it was the first of its kind with the streamlined body to become available for private ownership. Juan Manuel Fangio drove this very car to victory at the non-championship Buenos Aires Grand Prix in 1955, although in that race it sported a more conventional, open-wheel cigar-shaped body on the same chassis. Later in the 1955 season, Stirling Moss piloted this streamlined version, the iconic Moss Mercedes, at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. During this race, Moss achieved the fastest lap, averaging an impressive speed of 134mph, before unfortunately retiring.
The 1955 season and the Monza Grand Prix marked a turning point for Mercedes’ Silver Arrows. Following the tragic Le Mans disaster of 1955, Mercedes withdrew from factory-sponsored motorsport. However, the legacy of the Silver Arrows and drivers like Stirling Moss continued to resonate. Mercedes eventually returned to Formula One as an engine supplier in 1994 and with its own factory team in 2010, building on the foundation laid by cars like this Moss Mercedes W196 R.
Mercedes-Benz had generously donated this W196 R to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1965. After nearly six decades as a prized exhibit, the IMS made the decision to auction the car to generate funds for museum restoration projects and future acquisitions with a stronger focus on American motorsport history. According to curator Jason Vansickle, while recognizing the car’s beauty and historical importance, its European focus was slightly outside the museum’s evolving scope. The proceeds from this landmark auction of the Moss Mercedes will significantly enhance the IMS Museum’s ability to preserve and showcase American racing heritage for future generations.
