![“8 billion yen!?” 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R sold for the second most expensive price in history [Video]](https://wheelfeed.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2387-1761197923074.jpg)
Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen
The auction saw a fierce bidding war
This time, RM Sotheby’s held a single-vehicle auction at the Mercedes-Benz Museum for the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R.
On February 2, 2025, one of the most historically important racing cars, the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromleiningwagen (chassis number 00009/54), was put up for auction by RM Sotheby’s at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.
The car was donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum by Daimler-Benz AG in 1965. It was decided to sell it to support the restoration of the museum’s collection. RM Sotheby’s then held a single-car auction for the W 196 R, leading to a fierce bidding war between enthusiastic collectors from around the world, both by phone and in person, before the auctioneer brought the hammer down.
As a result, it was sold for 51,155,000 euros (approximately 8 billion yen), the second highest price ever paid at auction, following the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupe,” which sold for 135 million euros (approximately 21.1 billion yen) in 2022. The successful bidder for the W 196 R has not been made public, but it has been revealed that it has moved from museum ownership to private ownership.
to the Indianapolis Museum Operating Fund
The winning bid will be added to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum operating fund, which has previously owned the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R, and will be used for restoring the collection.
Markus Breitschwerdt, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH, commented on the auction:
“What a thrilling auction! This original, sleek W 196 R is now in someone’s hands. Congratulations to the lucky buyer, as very few Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows are in private hands.”
“The car sold for 51,155,000 euros, a record price that puts it close to the Mercedes-Benz 300SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupe”, the world’s most valuable Grand Prix racing car and the most valuable automobile. This proves once again that the Silver Arrows are a true shining star in the history of motorsport and automobiles.”
Following the auction, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum President Joe Hale added:
“The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum has been honored to care for and share this precious W 196 R. The proceeds from this successful bid will be added to our museum’s operating fund and used for the long-term sustainability, restoration and expansion of our collection.”
