‘Second Most Valuable Car Ever’ : 1954 Mercedes W 196 R F1 Race Car Fetches $53.9M At Auction

Legendary 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R F1 race car fetches $53.9 million at RM Sotheby’s auction on 1 February 2025.

With a final sale price of $53.9m, the 1964 Monza W196 Streamliner secured its place as the second most expensive car in the world. 

Chassis number 00009/54 was donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum by Mercedes-Benz in 1965.

It holds the distinction of being driven by two of motor racing’s best drivers, Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss.

A 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R “Stromlinienrennwagen” has become the most valuable Grand Prix car ever sold after fetching €46,500,000 (commission-free) during an exclusive standalone auction at the Mercedes-Benz Museum on February 1st 2025.

With a final sale price of €51,155,000 EUR ($53,917,370 USD) during the RM Sotheby’s auction, the 1964 Monza W196 Streamliner secured its place as the second most valuable (expensive) car in the world.

“A piece of motorsport history has just changed hands,” Mercedes-Benz Museum and RM Sotheby’s wrote in a joint posts.

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“The first-ever W 196 R offered to the public, this legendary Silver Arrow is now the most valuable Grand Prix car ever sold and the second most valuable car ever sold. A truly once-in-a-lifetime sale.”

W 196 was Donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum by Mercedes-Benz in 1965. The car holds the unique distinction of being driven by two of motor racing’s best drivers, Juan Manuel Fangio and Sir Stirling Moss.

Chassis number 00009/54 is one of only four known complete examples of W 196 R mounted with the exquisite factory-built enclosed-fender “Stromlinien” coachwork at the conclusion of the 1955 season.

The price tag still trails the amount paid by a private collector for the 1955 Mercedes 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe. This legendary car fetched US$142 million during RM Sotheby auction in May 5th 2022 to become the world’s most valuable car.

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