The World’s Most Expensive Car: Not a Ferrari or a Lamborghini, Who Is the New Owner?
New Record in the Automotive World: A Car Costing 135 Million Euros (142.9 Million USD)
In May 2022, the automotive world witnessed a new historical milestone when the original 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé was sold for a record price of 142.9 million USD (about 135 million Euros). This is the highest price ever paid for a car, nearly three times higher than the previous record price of a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, which sold for $48.4 million in 2018.
“Mona Lisa” of the Automotive World
The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé is known as the “Mona Lisa of cars” not only for its perfect appearance and impressive power, but also for its rarity. Manufactured in 1955, there are only two originals left in the world, one owned by Mercedes-Benz and the other by engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut.
The car was sold in a secret auction organized by RM Sotheby’s and Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart, Germany. The proceeds from the sale of the car will be used to establish a scholarship fund for environmental science and decarbonization research. After the auction, Mercedes-Benz announced that the car will be displayed publicly on special occasions.
The Unexpected and Mysterious Auction
The news of the auction surprised many car collectors and car enthusiasts, as Mercedes-Benz had previously refused to sell the legendary car. The car’s chassis was designed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut to compete in the Carrera Panamericana race. However, after the 1955 Le Mans disaster, in which driver Pierre Levegh and 83 spectators died, Mercedes-Benz stopped racing and only returned to racing in 1988.
The Mysterious Identity of the Owner
When the world’s most expensive car was sold, information about its owner became a subject of great curiosity. The identity of the buyer remains a mystery. Some speculate that Hans Kleissl, a renowned car collector and 300SL expert, may be the owner of this car. He is the owner of HK Engineering, a company that specializes in restoring classic supercars. Hans Kleissl has posted many pictures of the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé on his social media pages. However, some believe that Hans Kleissl may have just been the representative of another customer who bought the car.
Why is the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé So Expensive?
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé is not only expensive because of its historical value and rarity, but also because of its outstanding technical achievements. Designed by engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut in 1955, the car was a technical marvel with a 3-litre eight-cylinder engine and a top speed of 290 km/h – an impressive figure at the time.
The car featured “Gullwing” doors and a sophisticated aerodynamic design, making it one of the most iconic sports cars in the world. The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé is also considered part of the Mercedes-Benz private collection, with the second prototype currently on display at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.
The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé is not only a symbol of luxury and rarity in the automotive world, but also a testament to the irresistible appeal of legendary supercars.
