The 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Streamliner, once raced by legends like Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss, fetched a staggering $54 million.
A Record-Breaking Sale
A rare 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Streamliner sold for $54 million at a special RM Sotheby’s auction held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. This price makes it the second most expensive car ever auctioned, trailing only the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, which sold for a record-setting $143 million in 2022. The Streamliner’s final price included a 10% buyer’s premium, bringing its total sale to €51.2 million. The auction was part of a fundraising effort by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, which had owned the car since 1965.
Racing Pedigree and Technological Innovation
The W 196 R Streamliner was developed for the 1954 Formula 1 season to comply with new regulations that limited engine displacement to 2.5 liters. Unlike its open-wheel counterpart, this version featured a fully enclosed body designed to maximize aerodynamic efficiency on high-speed circuits. The car was powered by a 2.5-liter straight-eight engine producing around 290 horsepower, a competitive figure for the era. This model was instrumental in Mercedes’ dominance of mid-1950s Grand Prix racing.
Driven by Legends
The car’s history is intertwined with two of the greatest names in motorsport: Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss. Fangio, a five-time Formula 1 world champion, drove this W 196 R in competition, securing three victories in 1954. Moss, another legendary driver, also took the wheel during the car’s racing career. Given their combined 40 Grand Prix wins, their association with the car undoubtedly contributed to its high auction value. Fangio even piloted this specific chassis to victory in an exhibition race in Buenos Aires in 1955, further cementing its place in racing history.
From Museum Exhibit to Auction Block
After its competitive career, Daimler-Benz donated the car to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in 1965. For decades, it remained part of the museum’s extensive collection, which includes over 150 vehicles and 55,000 racing artifacts. However, in an effort to secure funding for future acquisitions and restorations, the museum decided to auction the car. “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,” said Joe Hale, the museum’s president.
The Changing Landscape of High-Value Classics
For years, Ferrari dominated the market for high-value collectible cars, with models like the 250 GTO setting record-breaking prices. However, the recent trend suggests that historically significant Mercedes-Benz race cars are now commanding the highest auction figures. In 2023, a Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO sold for $51.7 million, making it the third most expensive car ever auctioned. With classic racing cars continuing to appreciate in value, it remains to be seen whether models from brands like McLaren or Aston Martin will challenge these records in the future.
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