Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé – The most valuable car in the world.

In the Mercedes-Benz scene there was hardly any topic during the last 6 weeks, than the rumor about the possible sale of one of the two legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupés.

Yesterday RM Sothebys confirmed the sale of the second and last Uhlenhaut Coupé with chassis number 196.110-00008/55 for a record price of 135 million EUR on May 05, 2022 to a private collector.

Exactly two racing prototypes of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Coupé exist, which differ apart from the color of their interior above all also by technical details such as a differently led tank filler neck which is led with the sold, “the red one” called under the trunk lid, with the “blue one” however by the rear window.

The Man behind the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé

The car was named after the creator and head of the passenger car and racing department of Mercedes-Benz, Rudolf Uhlenhaut, who, after Juan-Manuel Fangio won the Formula 1 season in 1954 with the legendary Silver Arrows and one also dominated the sports car world championship in 1955 with the open 300 SLR (super light racing) based on the formula cars and with Stirling Moss also races such as the Mille Miglia, wanted to create a vehicle with even less air resistance and less stress for the drivers in endurance races.

However, since the Carrera Panamericana was cancelled by the Mexican government in 1955 and Mercedes-Benz withdrew from racing again shortly afterwards, the two Uhlenhaut coupés were never tested in real racing action.

A true hypercar of its time, the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe boasts a top speed of just under 300 km/h, with a kerb weight of 998 kilograms and around 302 hp output.

According to legend, Uhlenhaut used the vehicle as a company car, which allowed him to cover the distance Stuttgart – Munich in just one hour.

It is to be hoped that “the red one” will be preserved for future generations at events worldwide as a driving piece of history and symbol for German engineering, zeal and the striving for success. The proceeds from the sale will also be used to establish a worldwide “Mercedes-Benz Funds”, which will provide educational and research scholarships in the fields of environmental science and decarbonization.

Learn more at Mercedes-Benz Classic.

Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Renata Jungo Brüngger, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG for Integrity and Legal Affairs in front of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé.

Fotos Mercedes-Benz AG

Author: Christian Plagemann

Christian Plagemann is one of two founders and Managing Directors of Classic Trader. Dream ride: Lamborghini Miura Current Ride: Mercedes-Benz 180 D Ponton View all posts by Christian Plagemann →