A 1955 Mercedes became the world's most expensive car with $143 million
A Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé from 1955 has just become the most expensive car in the world.
At an auction, it was sold for a record price of $143 million dollars to a private collector. It's easy to see why it fetched such a high price tag: This automotive landmark is a true rarity, as it's one of just two prototypes created at the time.
It's named after its creator and chief engineer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut, and is regarded by automotive professionals and fans worldwide as one of the best examples of automotive engineering and design. The choice to sell the automobile was made to serve a worthy cause, with the auction revenues going toward funding a global scholarship program.
"With the 'Mercedes-Benz Fund', we would like to encourage a new generation to follow in Rudolf Uhlenhaut’s innovative footsteps and develop amazing new technologies, particularly those that support the critical goal of decarbonization and resource preservation,” said Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. “At the same time, achieving the highest price ever paid for a vehicle is extraordinary and humbling: A Mercedes-Benz is by far the most valuable car in the world.”
If you want to see the car in action, make sure you watch the video embedded above, and as always, enjoy.