World’s most expensive car: $203m Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR

Mercedes-Benz has officially toppled Ferrari in the blue-chip classic car stakes after a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe sold at auction for €135 million ($A203m), which makes it the world’s most valuable and expensive car of all time.

One of just two Uhlenhaut Coupes ever built – the other still in the hands of Mercedes-Benz – the super-rare sports car was sold to a mystery bidder during an auction at Mercedes’ museum and archive in Stuttgart, Germany, this month.

The sale demolishes the previous public record of $A66 million paid in 2018 for a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.

“The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupes are milestones in sports car development and key historical elements that have shaped our brand,” said Mercedes-Benz chairman Ola Källenius.

“The decision to sell one of these two unique sports cars was taken with very sound reasoning – to benefit a good cause. The proceeds from the auction will fund a global scholarship program.”

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe draws lineage from the original Silver Arrow cars that dominated motorsport in the 1930s.

Named after their creator Rudolf Uhlenhaut, who was Mercedes’ test department chief, the two Uhlenhaut Coupes were joined by another seven 300 SLRs closely based on the eight-cylinder Mercedes-Benz W196 Formula 1 car driven by Juan Manuel Fangio to world championships in 1954 and 1955.

SLR versions featured a larger 3.0-litre engine than the Formula 1 version and translated from the German term ‘Sport Leicht Rennen’ to Sport Light Racing.

Furthermore, the design of the Uhlenhaut Coupe set new benchmarks, including its unmistakeable gullwing doors.

Mercedes-Benz believes the sale not only makes a statement about the power of the three-pointed star as a brand, but also ensures the German car-maker can extend Uhlenhaut’s legacy.

“With the Mercedes-Benz Fund we would like to encourage a new generation to follow in Rudolf Uhlenhaut’s innovative footsteps and develop amazing new technologies, particularly those that support the critical goal of decarbonisation and resource preservation,” said Källenius.

“At the same time, achieving the highest price ever paid for a vehicle is extraordinary and humbling. A Mercedes-Benz is by far the most valuable car in the world.”

Benz says the global scholarship program will support aspiring designers and engineers in their “studies commitment and actions towards a more sustainable future”.

“The Mercedes-Benz Fund will be divided into two sub-categories: university scholarships in order to connect, educate and encourage students to realise/conduct research on environmental science projects; and school scholarships focusing on pupils to realise local environmental projects in their communities,” the car-maker said in a statement.

“The program funds will be directed to individuals who otherwise do not have the financial means for their projects and career paths. The program will go beyond financially supporting the young people and include extracurricular elements like Mercedes-Benz mentorships, opening up new career prospects.

“The Mercedes-Benz Fund will be jointly developed with and managed by an experienced partner which is currently being evaluated. The detailed set-up and rollout planning as well as the partner organisation will be announced later this year.”

Mercedes says the new owner of the Uhlenhaut Coupe has agreed for it to remain accessible for public display on special occasions.

The second original 300 SLR Coupe remains in company ownership and will continue to be displayed at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.

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