1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe is the most expensive car in the world

One of two 300 SLR Uhlenhauts has been sold from Merc’s own collection for £114,000,000

The most expensive car in the world is now officially a Mercedes-Benz, with news one of its cherished 300 SLR Uhlenhauts has been sold to an unnamed collector for an astonishing £114million (€135million). This transaction makes it significantly more expensive than the previous record holder, a Ferrari 250 GTO LM that was previously sold for $70million (USD), a car which in this world is dreadfully common by comparison.

The 300 SLR ‘Uhlenhaut’, as it’s colloquially known, was created by Merc’s then racing engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut as one of two prototypes based on Juan Manual Fangio’s championship-winning W 196 R racer. 

At the time, it was the fastest car in the world, capable of reaching 180mph due to its larger 2982cc in-line eight-cylinder engine that produced around 310bhp. This engine was the key differentiating factor between it and the classic 300SL Gullwing, which used a smaller six-cylinder engine and four-speed manual transmission. 

Two Uhlenhaut prototypes were built, and both were also road legal, with this specific example eventually used by Uhlenhaut as his company car, famously getting him between Stuttgart and Munich in under two hours at a distance of 167 miles when he was running late for a meeting. 

The Uhlenhaut is revered for many other reasons, and aside from its incredible capabilities in period is also celebrated as one of the most beautiful cars ever built, capitalising on the 300SL’s underlying design with a sleeker front end and its iconic offset bonnet bulge. 

The proceeds of the sale are due to go into a charitable fund being set up by Mercedes-Benz that will provide educational and research scholarships in the fields of environmental science and decarbonisation. 

Recommended

The Mercedes-AMG CLE53 is a 443bhp straight-six coupe
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53
News

The Mercedes-AMG CLE53 is a 443bhp straight-six coupe

The all-new CLE coupe has received the AMG treatment, but the range-topper is still to come… 
5 Dec 2023
Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo II to return as a HWA-built restomod
HWA EVO Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo II restomod
News

Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo II to return as a HWA-built restomod

The firm responsible for AMG and numerous motorsport icons has announced a limited-run restomod of the legendary 190E 2.5-16 Evo II
17 Nov 2023
Tom Walkinshaw Racing is reviving the Jaguar XJS with a bespoke restomod
TWR Jaguar XJS
News

Tom Walkinshaw Racing is reviving the Jaguar XJS with a bespoke restomod

The firm behind the Renault Clio V6 and Jaguar XJ220 is making a return, starting with a reimagined Jaguar XJS
13 Nov 2023
2024 Mercedes-AMG CLE63 S E Performance spied – 671bhp hybrid spotted in drop-top form
Mercedes-AMG CLE63 cabriolet
Spy shots

2024 Mercedes-AMG CLE63 S E Performance spied – 671bhp hybrid spotted in drop-top form

AMG's new four-seat coupe and cabriolet ranges will be topped by a 671bhp AMG flagship, spied testing in Germany
9 Nov 2023

Most Popular

Volkswagen W12 Syncro – dead on arrival
Volkswagen W12 Syncro
Features

Volkswagen W12 Syncro – dead on arrival

A genuine supercar from the maker of people’s cars seemed tantalisingly possible – until logic prevailed
8 Dec 2023
AC has built an all-new Cobra that costs £240,000
AC Cobra GT Roadster
News

AC has built an all-new Cobra that costs £240,000

The Cobra GT Roadster is a bespoke recreation of the iconic ‘60s sports car, packing a heavyweight 654bhp punch
7 Dec 2023
Car prices are plummeting: fancy a £36,000 discount on a brand new M car?
BMW M8 Competition
News

Car prices are plummeting: fancy a £36,000 discount on a brand new M car?

Dealers are slashing prices on new and pre-registered cars on the run up to Christmas, offering enormous savings on some evo favourites
8 Dec 2023