Iconic 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Sold for $54 Million, Becoming the Most Expensive Grand Prix Car in the World.

Iconic 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Sold for $54 Million, Becoming the Most Expensive Grand Prix Car in the World.

      For the last year, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) Museum has been streamlining its collection of unique and iconic motorsports artifacts. Most recently, a vehicle renowned for both its design and its drivers has come under the hammer: the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Monza Streamliner. This auction marked the first occasion a W196R Streamliner was made available to the public, with the final bid reaching nearly $54 million.

      The auction list from the IMS Museum through RM Sotheby's is a showcase of prestigious auto racing history. The chassis #00009/54 Mercedes-Benz W196R possesses a dual identity; for the 1955 Formula 1 season, it was configured for open-wheel racing. Racing legend Juan Manuel Fangio was behind the wheel, kicking off the season with a victory at the Argentine Grand Prix while teammate Stirling Moss finished just off the podium in fourth place.

      The 1955 season consisted of only seven races, as four were canceled. The last race was the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where the circuit had been updated with high-speed banking, resulting in slower speeds for the open-wheeled Benz. To enhance performance, an enclosed fender body was created, which led to improved lap times. Consequently, for the F1 finale, the W196R was transformed into the Monza Streamliner.

      Interestingly, while Fangio piloted a different Mercedes-built Streamliner, chassis #00009/54 was now driven by Moss. Moss recorded the fastest lap, but it was Fangio who secured victory in the final race, earning his second of five F1 championship titles, with Moss finishing the season behind him. His race car was one of four known to feature that streamlined design by the end of the F1 season.

      A decade later, Mercedes-Benz donated the very car that Fangio and Moss raced in 1955 to the IMS Museum for display. According to RM Sotheby’s, this connection arose from the German automaker's past victories at the Indianapolis 500. However, the primary motivation for the gift seems to stem from an appreciation for the new owner of the racetrack and his goals of reviving racing at Indy.

      Chassis #00009/54 remained at the IMS Museum before being transferred to Stuttgart, Germany, for a dedicated auction at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. Initially, it was estimated to be worth between $50 million and $70 million. The vehicle ultimately sold for €51,155,000 (approximately $53,917,000 USD at the time of the auction), along with an additional 10% in auction fees and a 19% value-added tax (VAT). RM Sotheby’s notes that before additional costs, the Monza Streamliner is the most valuable Grand Prix car ever sold.

      As highlighted in earlier discussions about the IMS Museum’s auctions, the proceeds will contribute to the museum's endowment as it undergoes renovations and works to refocus its collection and exhibits to better represent both IMS and the Indianapolis 500.

Iconic 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Sold for $54 Million, Becoming the Most Expensive Grand Prix Car in the World. Iconic 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Sold for $54 Million, Becoming the Most Expensive Grand Prix Car in the World. Iconic 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Sold for $54 Million, Becoming the Most Expensive Grand Prix Car in the World. Iconic 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Sold for $54 Million, Becoming the Most Expensive Grand Prix Car in the World. Iconic 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Sold for $54 Million, Becoming the Most Expensive Grand Prix Car in the World. Iconic 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Sold for $54 Million, Becoming the Most Expensive Grand Prix Car in the World. Iconic 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Sold for $54 Million, Becoming the Most Expensive Grand Prix Car in the World. Iconic 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Sold for $54 Million, Becoming the Most Expensive Grand Prix Car in the World.

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Iconic 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Sold for $54 Million, Becoming the Most Expensive Grand Prix Car in the World.

The most valuable Grand Prix car ever sold was driven by two legends of motorsports: Juan Manuel Fangio and Sir Stirling Moss.