How a 1955 Mercedes Model Became the ‘World’s Most Expensive Car’

The Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail currently holds the title of the world’s most expensive car with a $30 million price tag (approximately Rs 252 crore). However, the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, one of only two remaining units, made headlines when one of them was auctioned for a staggering $142 million in May 2022, setting a new world record. This price earned the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe a place in the Guinness World Records as the most expensive car ever auctioned.

Before this, the 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO held the record for the most valuable car, with a bid of $70 million in 2018. The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR was designed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut for Mercedes’ Silver Arrows racing team and is known for its lightweight frame and powerful powertrain, derived from Mercedes’ W196 Formula One car.

Supercar enthusiast “Supercar Blondie” shared a test drive video of the 300 SLR, highlighting its small cabin with red leather interiors. The car, originally designed for racing, has minimal boot space and a removable steering wheel. “You have no space for both your legs. What you have to do is straddle,” she explained in the video.

The fortunate new owner of the 300 SLR is not permitted to resell the car, according to reports. With a 3.0-liter straight-eight engine, the 300 SLR can reach a top speed of 180 miles (290 km) per hour. When it was first launched in the 1950s, it was considered the fastest road car in the world. Engineered as a street-legal variant of the W 196 R Grand Prix car, the 300 SLR remains a rare and cherished collector’s item.