The 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R Stromlinienwagen achieved the record for the most expensive Formula 1 car at auction, with its sale price reaching 51 million euros, equating to approximately Rs 458 crore. The streamliner is one of four known complete factory-built vehicles. RM Sotheby’s conducted the bidding at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart (Germany) on February 1, 2025. Initial information regarding the purchaser remained undisclosed.
Mercedes W196 R: A Piece of Racing History
Chassis number’ number 00009/54 of the W196 R created a notable record in motorsport competitions. Fangio achieved victory at the 1955 Buenos Aires Grand Prix while driving this Mercedes W196 R. During the 1955 Italian Grand Prix at Monza in Italy; Sir Stirling Moss drove the same Mercedes F1 classic, which achieved the fastest lap of the race.
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Decades in a Museum
The W196 R received from Mercedes found its home at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum when its competitive days were over in 1965. This car received care from the museum during its six decades of existence, during which major exhibitions included premier automotive events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Engineering Marvel of Its Time
As Mercedes-Benz re-entered the Formula 1 competition during the 1950s, the W196 R served as their vital component of success. The W196 R operated with a 2.5-liter straight-eight motor that integrated direct fuel injection alongside valve actuation for engine power production of up to 290hp. The sleek body design of this F1 car focused on speed on high-speed circuits such as Monza, giving it top status among early 1950s Formula One cars.
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