If you thought classic Ferrari auctions were insane, Mercedes-Benz just said, “Hold mein bier.” A 1954 W196 R Stromlinienwagen just sold for $53.9 million. That makes it the most expensive Grand Prix car ever auctioned with a price tag second only to the Mercedes 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé.
To put that price in perspective, for the same price you could buy seven brand-new Gulfstream G500 jets or 20 Bugatti Chirons—if you could even get an allocation. But this wasn’t just any race car. It was the technological spearhead of its time, driven by legends, and now, it’s a collector’s ultimate trophy.
A racing machine with a price to match
This W196 R is the first Streamliner-bodied W 196 R ever offered for private ownership. It spent 59 years in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum before hitting the auction block. Built for speed, its sleek body was mounted with the exquisite factory-built enclosed-fender Stromlinienwagen coachwork. Only four of these streamlined versions exist today.
This car wasn’t just fast—it was dominant. It helped Juan Manuel Fangio win the 1955 Formula One World Championship. In its open-wheel form, it took nine wins in 12 races. Sotheby’s called it one of the fastest Grand Prix cars ever constructed. The streamlined versions remain the only closed-wheel cars to win a Grand Prix. Ever.
The W196 R’s 257-horsepower inline-eight engine could hit 186 mph. Its magnesium Elektron body was so light it weighed just 88 pounds. This same material contributed to the infamous 1955 Le Mans disaster, leading Mercedes to withdraw from racing for decades.
Driven by racing royalty
This car’s pedigree is unmatched. Driven by future five-time Drivers’ Champion Juan Manuel Fangio to victory at the 1955 Buenos Aires Grand Prix. Later that year, Stirling Moss took it to Monza, where he set the fastest lap of the 1955 Italian Grand Prix.
At Monza, Moss fought for the lead but suffered a failing piston in cylinder five after completing 27 laps. Despite that, he still set the fastest lap at 2:46.900. That kind of performance, even in failure, adds to its legendary status.
Worth every penny?
$53.9 million is life-changing money. But for a collector, this is about legacy. It’s one of only 10 complete W196 Rs in existence. It’s a machine that shaped racing history. The car’s remarkable pedigree, advanced engineering, and singular coachwork make it one of the most desirable vintage racers ever.
So was it worth the price? For most people, absolutely not. But to the right buyer, owning a piece of racing immortality is priceless. See this model driven on a track in the video embedded below:
