Rare Mercedes W196R set for record-breaking auction

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A legendary piece of motorsport history, the Mercedes-Benz W196 R Stromlinienwagen, is set to go under the hammer on February 1, 2025, in Stuttgart.

Valued at €50 million ($52.6 million) by RM Sotheby’s, the rare Formula 1 car is poised to become the most valuable Grand Prix machine ever sold, potentially surpassing the current record-holder – another W196R, but an open-wheel version, which was sold at Goodwood in 2013 for a cool $29.65 million.

For good measure, Mercedes also holds the record for the most valuable automobile ever auctioned – a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé that fetched $143 million in 2022!

A Rare and Iconic Silver Arrow

The W196 R Stromlinienwagen, one of just four built in this aerodynamic "Streamliner" specification, was driven by motorsport legends Juan Manuel Fangio and Sir Stirling Moss during Mercedes-Benz’s dominant return to Formula 1 in 1954.

Chassis 00009/54, the car being auctioned, boasts an illustrious pedigree.

©Mercedes

Fangio drove it to victory at the 1955 Buenos Aires Grand Prix, en route to claiming the third of his five world titles, while Moss set the fastest lap in it during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza later that season.

The car is presented in its Monza livery, reflecting its final competitive outing in 1955 before Mercedes retired it.

Following its retirement, the vehicle resided the company’s in-house collection before being donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in 1965, where it has remained for nearly six decades.

A Unique Opportunity for Collectors

The upcoming auction marks a significant moment in automotive history, as this is the first time a Streamliner-bodied W196 R has been made available for private ownership.

With its exceptional provenance, iconic design, and storied racing history, the car is already a standout.

©Mercedes

Unlike its siblings, which featured exposed wheels, the Streamliner design of this W196 R was engineered for specific races requiring high-speed aerodynamics, giving it a sleek and unmistakable silhouette.

Adding to its rarity, this is only the second W196 model ever offered for private ownership, making it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for collectors.

The significance of this car, coupled with its association with two of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history, makes it a prime candidate to rewrite auction records.

The Uhlenhaut Coupé’s sale in 2022 proved that collectors are willing to pay astronomical sums for the rarest and most iconic Mercedes models, and the W196 R Streamliner certainly fits that bill.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.