An extremely rare 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R Stromlinienwagen has been sold at auction for 51 million euros, or Rs 456 crore, making it the most expensive Formula 1 car ever auctioned. It is one of only four known complete examples fitted with factory-built streamlined bodywork. The bidding took place at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart (in Germany) by RM Sotheby on February 1, 2025.
Additionally, it is the second most valuable car in the world after the 1955 Mercedes 300 SLR Uhlenhaut coupe, which was auctioned for Rs 1,266 crore in 2022.
- Sir Stirling Moss recorded the fastest lap at 1955 Italian Gran Prix with W196 R
- It featured a 2.5-litre straight-eight engine with 290hp
The W196 R, chassis number ‘00009/54’, has a significant racing history. It was driven by five-time Formula 1 World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio to victory at the 1955 Buenos Aires Grand Prix. The same classic Mercedes F1 car was also driven by Sir Stirling Moss at the 1955 Italian Grand Prix in Monza (in Italy), where it recorded the fastest lap of the race.
After its competition career ended, the W196 R was donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in 1965 by Mercedes. For nearly six decades, it was taken care of by the museum, occasionally displayed at major automotive events, including the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, a premier classic car show.
The W196 R was a key part of Mercedes-Benz’s dominant return to Formula 1 in the 1950s. This legendary F1 race car featured a 2.5-litre straight-eight engine with direct fuel injection and valve actuation, generating up to 290hp. Its streamlined bodywork was designed to maximize speed on high-speed circuits like Monza, making it one of the most advanced F1 cars of its time.
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