By ROB HULL
Updated: 07:21 AEDT, 27 November 2024
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A unique 1950s Mercedes race car piloted by two of Formula One's greats is set to become one of the priciest vehicles to ever sell at auction.
The 1954 W 196 R Stromlinienwagen is one of just four produced by the German marque in the 'streamliner' specification and has been driven by two of F1's most celebrated greats: five-time world champion Juan Manuel Fangio and British motorsport legend, Sir Stirling Moss.
It is the first of its kind to be offered for private ownership having been made available by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
It will go under the hammer in February and is estimated to sell for a staggering €50million, which works to around £42million.
Only one other motors have sold at auction for a higher figure, making this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the most affluent car collectors on the planet.
RM Sotheby's, the auction house in charge of finding the next owner for this pre-eminent vehicle, describes it as a 'diamond of extraordinary cut, emitting a brilliance that is almost impossible to fathom'.
Classic Mercedes set to become the second most expensive car ever sold at auction: The 1954 W 196 R Stromlinienwagen - or Streamliner - has been driven by two of the biggest Formula One greats: Fangio and Moss. It will be offered to the highest bidder early next year and is expected to sell for a figure in the region of €50million (£42million)
Stirling Moss (left) bearing the number 16 following Argentinian team mate Juan Manuel Fangio (18, right) in their Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Steamliners on the famous banked curve of Monza during the Italian Grand Prix on 11 September 1955
The single-lot sale will take place on 1 February at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, on 1 February 2025.
The car is said to have been 'fastidiously stored and maintained' for 59 years by the American motor museum, which has owned the racer since 1965 when it Mercedes-Benz donated it for display.
Fangio, who took world titles in 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, and 1957, piloted chassis number 00009/54 to victory at the '55 Buenos Aires Grand Prix.
Moss then drove this Mercedes to second position - and clocked the fastest lap of the race - at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza later in the same season, finishing runner-up to Fangio in another Streamliner.
The car will be presented at the auction as it was after Moss crossed the finish line at the Italian circuit some 70 years earlier.
The 1954 W 196 R Stromlinienwagen is one of just four produced by the German marque in the 'streamliner' specification and has been driven by two of F1's most celebrated greats
Fangio, who took world titles in 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, and 1957, piloted chassis number 00009/54 to victory at the '55 Buenos Aires Grand Prix
Moss then drove this Mercedes to second position - and clocked the fastest lap of the race - at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza later in the same season (pictured here on race day on 11 September 1955). The Briton finishing runner-up to Fangio in another Streamliner
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The car will be presented at the auction as it was after Moss crossed the finish line at the Italian circuit some 70 years earlier. It still bears the '16' numberboards
The single-lot sale will take place on 1 February at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, on 1 February 2025
The €50million guide price - which is $52.3million - would put the W 196 R second in the list of most expensive cars sold at auction.
The top honour is held by another Mercedes from the same period, also sold by RM Sotheby's two years ago.
It was bought by a private collector at a secret, behind-closed-doors, invite-only sale, also hosted at Mercedes' museum in Germany.
Only those with pockets deep enough were deemed eligible for an entry ticket.
RM Sotheby's said the car has 'always been regarded as one of the great jewels of motoring history' and its sale is a monumental moment with few ever imagining that it would be offered to a private buyer by the German manufacturer.
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