RM Sotheby's Sells the World's Most Valuable Car for USD 142 Million: The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR UHLENHAUT COUPE

A record price for an iconic car

A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé sold at auction for whopping record price of 135 million EUR ($142 million) on May 5, 2022 to a private collector. The automobile is one of just two prototypes created and is named for its designer and main engineer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut. Automotive professionals and aficionados believe it to be one of the finest examples of automotive engineering and design.

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé was auctioned off at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in conjunction with the famous auction house RM Sotheby's. The guests included elite Mercedes-Benz customers and worldwide automotive and art aficionados. The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé sold at auction was part of Mercedes-Benz Classic's private car collection, which contains more than 1100 vehicles from the development of the automobile in 1886 to the present day.

The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé auction earnings provide as seed cash for the worldwide endeavour. Mercedes-Benz intends to increase its investment in the next years. The "Mercedes Benz Fund" will be split into two sub-categories: University Scholarships to educate and inspire students to realize/conduct research on environmental scientific projects, and School Scholarships to assist students in implementing local environmental initiatives within their communities. Individuals who lack the financial resources to pursue their interests and careers will be granted programme grants. 

Mercedes-Benz Heritage's Head Marcus Breitschwerdt said, "We are happy to be able to contribute with our historical collection to this endeavour linking the past with the future of engineering and decarbonisation technology." "The private buyer has agreed that the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé will remain available for public exhibition on exceptional occasions, while the second original 300 SLR Coupé will continue to be shown at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart."

Peter Wallman, Chairman, UK & EMEA, on behalf of RM Sotheby's, said, "Words cannot adequately convey the magnitude and significance of this transaction. Mercedes-request Benz's to RM Sotheby's to oversee the auction was a tremendous honour, since no one could have ever thought that this automobile would ever be offered for sale.

Oliver Barker, Chairman of Sotheby's Europe, said, "What an utter delight it was to put the hammer down on this design and engineering masterpiece, which now ranks with the greatest pieces of art ever auctioned. Few could have imagined that this magnificent treasure of motorsport history would ever be offered for sale, and how appropriate that it should occur precisely as we begin a new and exciting chapter with our colleagues at RM Sotheby's.

Mercedes Benz Fund

In addition to providing financial assistance to the youth, the initiative will incorporate extracurricular components such as Mercedes-Benz mentorships that provide new job opportunities. The 'Mercedes Benz Fund' will be designed and administered in collaboration with an experienced partner who is presently being examined. Later in 2022, the comprehensive setup and rollout plans, as well as the partner organisation, will be disclosed.