Mercedes-Benz crashes record for most expensive car sold at $142M

Mercedes-Benz simply bought the world's most costly automobile for $142 million.
Mercedes-Benz AG/AFP by way of Getty I

These wheels of fortune are handing over Mercedes-Benz’s favor.

The German automotive model confirmed that it has bought a luxurious automobile for a mind-boggling $142 million (135 million EUR), shattering the earlier report for the most costly car ever bought.

“We [wanted], with one single act, to reveal the ability of the Mercedes model,” mentioned their chairman, Ola Källenius, in an announcement following the closed invitation public sale on Could 5 on the Mercedes museum in Stuttgart, BNN Bloomberg reported. The occasion was held in collaboration with automobile public sale agency RM Sotheby’s.

The auto in query was an ultra-rare 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, certainly one of solely two ever manufactured. Mercedes hasn’t divulged the client’s identification; nevertheless, the public sale reportedly featured round a dozen bidders with a number of Swiss-Italian, English and US Mercedes-Benz collectors being floated as doable purchasers.

Of the 9 300 SLR automobiles made, there have been solely two SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé prototypes.

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The identification of the client stays a thriller.

Mercedes-Benz AG/AFP by way of Getty I

Uncommon vehicle brokers have mentioned that the haute rod is price each penny of the $142 million.

Mercedes-Benz AG/AFP by way of Getty I

With the sale, the automobile firm topped — almost 3 times over — the earlier public report of $70 million, shelled out in 2018 for a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO. Proceeds from the sale will reportedly go towards establishing the Mercedes-Benz Fund, a world scholarship fund aimed toward serving to cash-strapped college students obtain their profession desires, per a Mercedes press launch.

The worth could seem steep, however auto aficionados declare that the determine is acceptable given the caliber of the automobile, which might journey as much as 186 mph.

“That automobile is 100% price what it bought for,” mentioned uncommon vehicle dealer Stephen Serio. “No one ever thought Mercedes would promote it.”

The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé was named after Mercedes’ famed take a look at division head Rudolf Uhlenhaut.

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The automobile is able to touring as much as 186 mph.

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The public sale went down on Could 5 on the Mercedes museum in Stuttgart.

Mercedes-Benz AG/AFP by way of Getty I

Certainly, the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR’s worth is due, partly, to the truth that the car is exceedingly uncommon. Of the 9 300 SLR automobiles made, there have been solely two SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé prototypes, which derive their title from Mercedes’ famed take a look at division head, Rudolf Uhlenhaut, based on BNN Bloomberg’s report. He used one of many fashions as the corporate automobile, whereas the second haute rod is saved safely away within the firm vault.

“Their racing automobiles from the Thirties and Nineteen Fifties are uncommon, and most are nonetheless owned by the manufacturing unit, so any that come to market are extremely wanted,” Hagerty’s Brian Rabold advised CNN.

Fortuitously, the latest buy doesn’t preclude again seat automobile buffs from ever seeing this automotive holy grail once more. Per the situations of the sale, the Uhlenhaut will keep on show on the Mercedes-Benz Museum, alongside the second SLR coupe, whereas the nameless proprietor will get the chance to often — and really fastidiously — take their classic whip for a spin.