The Most Expensive Car Ever Sold at Auction: The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé
In May 2022, the world of classic cars and automotive history was shaken to its core when a single car sold for a staggering $142 million at auction. That car was the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, a vehicle so rare, so historically important, and so technically advanced for its time that its sale smashed all previous records, becoming not just the most expensive car ever sold, but one of the most valuable objects ever sold at auction—on par with works of art by Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci.
This article takes an in-depth look at the Uhlenhaut Coupé: who bought the car, how many still exist, why it is so extraordinarily valuable, and what makes this Mercedes so special in the pantheon of automotive history.
The Auction that Shook the Automotive World
On May 5, 2022, at a private auction held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, one of only two existing Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupés was sold for a record-breaking €135 million (around $142 million). The sale was organized by the auction house RM Sotheby’s, but unlike most auctions, this was an extremely private affair, attended by only a handful of specially invited collectors and patrons.
The event was extraordinary not just for its result but also for the fact that Mercedes-Benz itself agreed to part with one of its crown jewels. Until that moment, both of the surviving Uhlenhaut Coupés had been in Mercedes-Benz’s collection, considered untouchable treasures of automotive history.
The sale price of $142 million obliterated the previous world record for the most expensive car sold at auction: a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, which fetched $48.4 million in 2018. The Mercedes sold for almost three times as much, setting a new benchmark for the value of automobiles as cultural artifacts.
Who Bought the $142 Million Mercedes?
The identity of the buyer was initially shrouded in secrecy, sparking global speculation. Was it a billionaire sheikh from the Middle East? A tech mogul from Silicon Valley? Or a European aristocrat with a passion for racing heritage?
A few weeks after the sale, reliable sources revealed that the car was purchased by Simon Kidston, a well-known British car dealer and collector, who had reportedly spent 18 months persuading Mercedes-Benz to part with the car. Kidston represented an unnamed client, who ultimately secured the winning bid.
While the true owner’s name has not been made public, Kidston later confirmed that the car was not purchased purely for private enjoyment. Instead, the buyer agreed that the car would remain accessible for public display at selected events, museums, and exhibitions. This approach reassured enthusiasts that the car would not simply disappear into a private vault, never to be seen again.
How Many Mercedes-Benz 300 SLRs Are Left?
To understand why the Uhlenhaut Coupé is so rare, we need to explore the origins of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR.
The 300 SLR Racing Cars: In 1955, Mercedes-Benz built nine 300 SLR (W196S) race cars. These open-top machines dominated sports car racing, most famously when Stirling Moss and co-driver Denis Jenkinson won the 1955 Mille Miglia with a record average speed of 97.96 mph—a record that still stands.
The Uhlenhaut Coupés: Out of these, two were built as experimental closed-roof versions, designed by Mercedes-Benz’s racing chief engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut. These were the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupés. The closed design was meant to provide drivers with protection and comfort for long-distance endurance races. However, after the 1955 Le Mans disaster—where a Mercedes 300 SLR race car crash killed more than 80 spectators—Mercedes-Benz withdrew from motorsport entirely.
As a result, the two Coupés were never raced. Instead, they became legendary prototypes, used occasionally for testing and personal use by Uhlenhaut himself. In fact, he was often seen commuting in one of the Coupés, earning it the nickname “the fastest company car in the world.”
Survivors
Only two Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupés were ever built.
One remains in the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.
The other was the one sold in 2022.
That makes the car not just rare, but virtually unique. Unlike many collectible Ferraris or Bugattis, where a handful of examples exist, the Uhlenhaut Coupé exists only as a pair—both directly tied to Mercedes-Benz itself.
Why Is the Mercedes 300 SLR So Expensive?
The $142 million price tag wasn’t just about rarity, although that plays a massive role. The value of the Uhlenhaut Coupé comes from a combination of factors:
1. Extreme Rarity
With only two in existence, and both previously held by Mercedes-Benz itself, the Uhlenhaut Coupé has always been considered unobtainable. For decades, collectors assumed they would never get a chance to buy one. When Mercedes finally agreed to sell one, the scarcity alone guaranteed astronomical bidding.
2. Historical Importance
The car embodies a pivotal moment in automotive and motorsport history. It represents both the pinnacle of Mercedes-Benz’s post-war racing success and the abrupt end of its dominance after the Le Mans disaster. In that sense, it is a rolling monument to both triumph and tragedy.
3. Engineering Excellence
The 300 SLR was derived from the W196 Formula 1 car, which Juan Manuel Fangio drove to World Championship titles. Its 3.0-liter straight-eight engine, capable of producing nearly 310 horsepower, was revolutionary in the 1950s. With a top speed of around 180 mph, the Uhlenhaut Coupé was faster than any road car of its era.
4. Cultural and Symbolic Value
Mercedes-Benz is not just an automaker; it is a global symbol of engineering prowess, luxury, and prestige. The Uhlenhaut Coupé is arguably the most important car in the company’s history, representing a perfect fusion of race engineering and road usability. Collectors don’t just see it as a car—they see it as a cultural icon.
5. Comparison to Art
Increasingly, the wealthiest collectors view rare cars as works of art, equivalent to masterpieces hanging in museums. By that logic, paying $142 million for a one-of-a-kind Mercedes is no different than paying a similar sum for a Picasso.
What Makes the Mercedes 300 SLR So Special?
Beyond its rarity and value, the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé stands out as a truly remarkable machine. Here’s why enthusiasts consider it so special:
1. A Car Ahead of Its Time
In the 1950s, most road cars struggled to reach 100 mph. The Uhlenhaut Coupé could hit 180 mph with ease, thanks to its lightweight magnesium body, advanced aerodynamics, and powerful straight-eight engine. It was essentially a Formula 1 car with a roof.
2. The Rudolf Uhlenhaut Connection
Rudolf Uhlenhaut, Mercedes’ chief engineer, was a legend in his own right. Known for his technical brilliance and driving skills, he often used the Coupé as his personal car. Stories abound of him driving from Stuttgart to Munich (around 140 miles) in just over an hour—an average speed of nearly 140 mph—on ordinary 1950s roads. That personal association gives the car a unique human story.
3. Influence on Future Design
The Uhlenhaut Coupé influenced generations of Mercedes-Benz sports cars. Its DNA can be seen in the 300 SL Gullwing, the SLR McLaren of the 2000s, and even in modern AMG models. It embodies the lineage of Mercedes’ commitment to combining performance with luxury.
4. A Symbol of Restraint and Legacy
After the Le Mans disaster, Mercedes could have scrapped the Uhlenhaut Coupés. Instead, they preserved them, not as race cars but as cultural artifacts. Their survival reflects Mercedes’ respect for history, engineering, and responsibility in the face of tragedy.
5. Public Accessibility
Unlike many hyper-rare cars that vanish into private collections, the Uhlenhaut Coupé has always been shared with the world. The one in the Mercedes-Benz Museum remains on display, and even the auctioned car will continue to appear at events, preserving its role as a public treasure.
The Sale’s Impact on the Automotive World
The $142 million sale of the Uhlenhaut Coupé has had profound implications:
Redefining Value – The record pushed collectible cars into the same league as fine art, jewels, and historic artifacts.
Market Ripple Effect – Values of other rare Mercedes and iconic race cars surged after the sale, as collectors reassessed what was possible.
Philanthropy – Mercedes-Benz announced that proceeds from the sale would fund the creation of the Mercedes-Benz Fund, supporting scholarships and research for young people in environmental science and decarbonization—ensuring that the sale had a broader societal impact.
Cultural Legacy – The event cemented the Uhlenhaut Coupé not just as a car, but as a global cultural icon.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé is more than just the most expensive car ever sold—it is a symbol of engineering brilliance, cultural history, and the enduring human fascination with speed and beauty.
At $142 million, it now stands alongside the most valuable objects ever sold at auction, proving that cars can transcend their mechanical origins to become cultural artifacts of global importance.
Only two were ever built, one remains in Stuttgart, and the other now belongs to an anonymous collector who has pledged to share it with the world. The story of the Uhlenhaut Coupé is one of innovation, tragedy, triumph, and timeless allure—a story that explains why, in 2022, a car could be worth as much as a masterpiece hanging in the Louvre.
In the end, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé is not just the most expensive car in the world. It is, quite simply, one of the most special cars ever created.
