The most expensive F1 car EVER sells for $53million

sotheby's, 1954, mercedes, stromlinienwagen — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 Cars

The most expensive F1 car EVER sells for $53million

The classic Mercedes delivered an incredible result at auction in Germany.

Graham Shaw Consultant Editor

Digital sports specialist running global brands for 30 years

Wednesday 5 February 2025 02:00

There are expensive cars, and then there are expensive cars. And then there is the most expensive F1 car EVER at a cool $53million.

A new record price tag is now in the books after a beautiful title-winning 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen smashed the previous mark at auction in Germany.

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The slick silver masterpiece went under the hammer in Stuttgart, with experts expecting it to beat all previous records. And they were not disappointed.

Record price smashed by 1954 Mercedes

The 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen has broken the record for the most expensive F1 car in history

What is the most expensive car ever?

F1 might be basking after that incredible price tag became history, but there is still some way to go to top the price for the most expensive car ever, period.

That is held by another Mercedes - a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé which fetched staggering $135m in 2022.

That beauty was also sold at auction in Stuttgart, Germany - clearly a pretty good place to sell used cars!

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