1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R Sells for $53.9 Million, Becoming Second Most Expensive Auction Car

The historic Formula 1 car, driven by legends Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss, was sold at a special auction in Stuttgart.

The 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R Stromlinienwagen sold for $53.9 million at an RM Sotheby’s auction held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
This sale makes the W196 R the second most expensive car ever auctioned, behind the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, which sold for $143 million in 2022.
The car was raced by iconic drivers Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss, with Fangio achieving a notable victory in Buenos Aires in 1955.
The W196 R, known for its streamlined design and advanced engineering, was one of only four surviving examples with its unique configuration.
The auction proceeds will support the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum’s efforts to refresh its collection and fund new acquisitions.