Perhaps the world's most important Mercedes, the W196 R, is now up for sale. The auction house estimates that the price for the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut, which last year became the world's most expensive car, is approaching.
The Mercedes-Benz W196 R Streamliner, also known as the world's most important Mercedes, is now up for sale by auction house RM Sotheby's. It is expected to command a price approaching record levels for classic cars.
– Such cars almost never come on the market, says Marcus Görig, car specialist at RM Sotheby's .
The car, which has an estimated value of 365 million Danish kroner, is being sold to benefit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
The price of just under DKK 400 million is considered to be a conservative shoe. Many expect the price to approach what was given for one of just two 300 SLR Uhlenhauts last year. The deal brought Mercedes more than one billion kroner. Read more about it here.
– It is perhaps the most important Mercedes in the world, said Mercedes team boss in Formula Toto Wolff, when he got behind the wheel.
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The W196 R Streamliner is known for its inline eight engine and has been shortlisted by motorsport legends such as Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss. Moss fielded the car in the 1955 Formula Libre Buenos Aires Grand Prix, where he won. The car also took part in the Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Monza circuit in 1955.
– The Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Streamliner from 1954 is one of the most important cars in racing history, says Marcus Görig.
In addition to the Mercedes, a Ferrari 250 LM from 1965 is also being sold, with an estimated value of 220 million Danish kroner.
If the cars reach their estimated value, they will surpass the most expensive corvette sold so far this year. On 1 February, eleven cars will be auctioned off, which together are expected to bring in at least 100 million dollars. Just under 710 million Danish kroner.
