It was built and named after the company’s chief engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut, the inspiration for this luxury vehicle came from the W 196 R Grand Prix race car, which secured two World Championship titles. While the 300 SLR never made it to the race track, it’s been renowned by motor enthusiasts and experts alike as the most beautiful car ever created and considered a crown jewel among the industry. Now with this sale, having beaten the price of the 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO which sold for roughly $70 million in 2018, the 300 SLR has added yet another superlative to its roster. 

All proceeds from the auction will go towards establishing the “Mercedes-Benz Fund,” which plans to provide scholarships for young individuals in areas of environmental science and decarbonization. The other prototype of the car will remain on display in Mercedes’ museum. 

“What an absolute thrill to bring the hammer down on this masterpiece of design and engineering, which now stands shoulder to shoulder with the greatest works of art ever sold,” says Oliver Barker, Chairman of Sotheby’s Europe. “Few ever dreamt that this great jewel of motoring history would ever come for sale, and how fitting that it should happen now, just as we embark on a new and exciting chapter with our partners at RM Sotheby’s.”

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