1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen
1 février 2025

This 1954 Mercedes W 196 R doesn’t surpass the €50 million mark… here’s why

1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen

This 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienrennwagen, one of the most iconic Grand Prix cars in history, was auctioned by RM Sotheby’s in partnership with Mercedes-Benz Heritage. This legendary single-seater was driven by Juan Manuel Fangio and Sir Stirling Moss, two of the greatest names in motorsport. Chassis 00009/54 is one of only four surviving complete examples with a streamlined body. Legendary, victorious, and steeped in history, this Silver Arrow was auctioned on Saturday, February 1, 2025.

1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen

Estimated at more than €50,000,000, but hammered at €46,500,000 ($49,011,000) at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, a 10% buyer’s premium pushed the car’s final price to €51,155,000.

The bidding started at €20 million, quickly climbing to €40 million, before continuing in increments of €1 million, with a final bid increase of €500,000, ultimately reaching €46,500,000.

1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen
1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen

Owning a Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienrennwagen means acquiring a piece of history— a true masterpiece of mechanical art driven by the greatest legends of motorsport.

A one-of-a-kind modelmodel in an ultra-exclusive world

Of the 14 W 196 chassis produced, only 10 have survived, with just 4 in the Streamliner configuration. What makes chassis 00009/54 unique is that it is the only Streamliner not part of Mercedes-Benz’s private collection. This sale, therefore, represents a historic opportunity for collectors—’a one-life opportunity,’ as RM Sotheby’s would say.

However, Simon Kidston, a renowned classic car expert, points out that this model falls short of the Uhlenhaut Coupé in terms of absolute prestige. The Uhlenhaut set a record for the most expensive car ever auctioned, reaching €135 million for one of his clients in 2022.

“The W196 is absolutely stunning. But in our highly exclusive world, other examples have been sold before, and more could be again in the future.”

1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen
1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen

A collector's jewel,jewel, but unusable on the road

Since its arrival at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in 1965, the car has never been driven. While it remains mechanically complete, restoring it to race-ready condition could cost up to $2 million and take two years.

Jason Vansickle, Vice President of the IMS Museum, explains:
“Even with the help of Mercedes experts, we didn’t feel comfortable attempting to start it up just for the sake of the auction.”

Mercedes-AMG F1 boss Toto Wolff was seen driving a W196 in promotional videos for the sale. However, this was not the auctioned model—the car used belonged to Mercedes-Benz. If the new owner wishes, they can entrust the vehicle to Mercedes engineers for a full restoration.

1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen

The Mercedes-Benz WW 196 R

Introduced in 1954, the Mercedes-Benz W 196 R was designed to dominate Grand Prix racing under the FIA’s 2.5-liter regulations. Developed under the leadership of Rudolf Uhlenhaut, this single-seater propelled Juan Manuel Fangio to the World Championship titles in 1954 and 1955, securing 9 victories in 12 official races. This streamlined model, known as the ‘Stromlinienrennwagen’, was specifically engineered for high-speed circuits like Reims and Monza, optimizing aerodynamics for increased top speed.

1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen
1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen

Bodywork: A revolutionaryrevolutionary design

The W 196 R Stromlinienrennwagen features an ultra-lightweight magnesium alloy body, designed to minimize drag and maximize straight-line speed. Its sleek and futuristic design, rare in Formula 1, allowed it to dominate the high-speed circuits of its era. Painted in the traditional silver ‘Silberpfeil’ color, it embodies the very essence of Mercedes-Benz’s Silver Arrows.

Interior: The essence of a racing cockpit

The interior of the W 196 R is a spartan cockpit dedicated to pure performance. A minimalist bucket seat, a three-spoke wooden steering wheel, and precision analog gauges—everything is designed to maximize the driver’s efficiency. Every detail echoes the legacy of motorsport’s golden era.

1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen
1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen
1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen

Powertrain: Mercedes-Benz's technologicaltechnological masterpiece

Under the hood, the W 196 R is equipped with a 2,494 cm³ inline-eight engine, featuring direct fuel injection derived from aerospace engineering. This sophisticated engine delivers 290 hp, enabling the car to achieve spectacular performance on Formula 1 circuits.

1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen
1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen

Performance: A speedspeed machine

Thanks to its optimized aerodynamics and powerful engine, the W 196 R delivered impressive performance for its time:

  • Top speed: 300 km/h

  • 0-100 km/h acceleration: Approximately 4.5 seconds

1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen
1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen

How many Mercedes-BenzMercedes-Benz W 196 R were produced?

Mercedes-Benz produced 14 W 196 R chassis, of which only 10 complete examples survived after the 1955 season. Among them, 4 were fitted with the streamlined ‘Stromlinienwagen’ body, making this version extremely rare and highly sought after by collectors.

1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen

Complete Technical SpecificationsSpecifications for 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienrennwagen

Engine:

  • Type: Inline 8-cylinder, Bosch direct injection
  • Displacement: 2,494 cm³
  • Max Power: 290 hp (213 kW)
  • Max Torque: 271 Nm
  • Position: Front longitudinal
  • Compression Ratio: 11:1
  • Valve Train: Desmodromic valves (springless)
  • Fuel System: Mechanical direct injection developed for aviation
  • Cooling: Liquid
  • Lubrication: Dry sump

Transmission:

  • Type: Manual
  • Number of Gears: 5
  • Layout: Rear-mounted transaxle for optimal weight distribution
  • Differential: Limited-slip

Performance:

  • Top Speed: 300 km/h
  • 0-100 km/h Acceleration: Approximately 4.5 seconds
  • 0-200 km/h Acceleration: Approximately 12 seconds
  • Power-to-Weight Ratio: 2.2 kg/hp

Fuel Consumption and Efficiency:

  • Average Consumption: ≈ 35 L/100 km (estimated in race conditions)
  • Energy Efficiency Class (EU): Not applicable (racing vehicle)
  • Fuel Tank Capacity: Between 107 and 199 liters, depending on the circuit

Dimensions:

  • Length: 4,350 mm
  • Width: 1,730 mm
  • Height: 1,220 mm
  • Wheelbase: 2,350 mm (long versions)
  • Front Track: 1,443 mm
  • Rear Track: 1,337 mm

Weight:

  • Curb Weight: 880 kg
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: Not applicable

Chassis and Suspension:

  • Chassis: Ultra-light steel tubular frame
  • Front Suspension: Double wishbone with torsion bars
  • Rear Suspension: Low-pivot swing axle with torsion bars
  • Shock Absorbers: High-performance hydraulic telescopic

Brakes:

  • Type: Light alloy drums with internal cooling
  • Braking System: Inboard placement to reduce unsprung masses

Interior:

  • Materials: Bare aluminum cockpit, leather on key areas
  • Seat: Single aluminum bucket seat with minimal padding
  • Dashboard: Functional simplicity, analog gauges
  • Steering Wheel: 3-spoke wood and aluminum
  • Audio System: None (competition vehicle)
  • Communication Systems: Optional period-correct radio headset

Exterior:

  • Color: Silver Metallic (DB 180 Silver Metallic)
  • Wheels: 16-inch magnesium center-lock wheels
  • Tires: Racing Continental, adapted to circuit conditions
  • Bodywork: Ultra-light Elektron magnesium alloy
  • Drag Coefficient: 0.26 (streamlined version)

Technology and Safety:

  • Driver Aids: None (competition vehicle)
  • Roll Bar: Not originally installed
  • Restraint System: 4-point racing harness
  • Fire Protection: Factory-mounted extinguisher
1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen
1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen

Options for thethe Mercedes-Benz W 196 R

  • “Stromlinienwagen” version with streamlined bodywork, optimized for high-speed circuits

  • Legendary racing history: Driven by Juan Manuel Fangio and Sir Stirling Moss

  • Documented by Mercedes-Benz Classic with an official expert report

  • One of only four remaining W196 R models with enclosed bodywork

  • Historic Monza 1955 livery

  • Preserved for nearly 60 years by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

  • Light restoration performed by Canepa Motorsports in 2015

  • Eligible for the world’s most prestigious exhibitions and concours d’élégance (Pebble Beach, Villa d’Este, Goodwood Festival of Speed)

1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen
1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen

Car price andand comparison with other sales

The final price of €51,155,000 (including a 10% buyer’s premium) makes this Mercedes-Benz W196 R Streamliner one of the most expensive cars ever sold at auction.

Let’s compare this amount with other historic transactions:

  • Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé (1955) – $142 million (2022, Mercedes and RM Sotheby’s)

  • Ferrari 250 GTO (1962) – $48.4 million (2023, RM Sotheby’s)

  • Mercedes-Benz W196 R Open-Wheel (Chassis 00006/54) – $30 million (2013, Bonhams)

1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen
1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen
1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen
1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen
1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen

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Photo credits: RM Sotheby’s©