HomeAutomotiveThis 1954 Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow Just Sold For An Eye-Watering Price

This 1954 Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow Just Sold For An Eye-Watering Price

Historic Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow Shatters Records: 1954 W 196 R Sells for $53.9 Million

In a stunning display of automotive history and collector enthusiasm, a legendary 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen has just become the most valuable Grand Prix racing car ever sold at auction. The historic sale, which took place at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, saw the iconic Silver Arrow fetch an incredible $53,917,370, cementing its place in auction history.

Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Grand-Prix-Rennwagen mit der Fahrgestellnummer 9. Auktion von RM Sotheby’s des Fahrzeugs aus dem Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum am 1. Februar 2025 im Mercedes-Benz Museum. Einbringung des Silberpfeils in das Museum. Foto: Maximilian Balazs. (Fotosignatur der Mercedes-Benz Classic Archive: D849907)Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Grand Prix racing car with chassis number 9. RM Sotheby's auction of the vehicle from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum on 1 February 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. Transfer of the Silver Arrow into the museum. Photo: Maximilian Balazs (Photo signature of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives: D849907)

This remarkable piece of racing heritage, chassis number 00009/54, had called the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum home since 1965, when it was generously donated by Daimler-Benz AG. The February 1st auction drew serious collectors from around the world, resulting in an intense bidding war that showcased the car’s immense historical significance.

Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Grand-Prix-Rennwagen mit der Fahrgestellnummer 9. Auktion von RM Sotheby’s des Fahrzeugs aus dem Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum am 1. Februar 2025 im Mercedes-Benz Museum. Einbringung des Silberpfeils in das Museum. Foto: Maximilian Balazs (Fotosignatur der Mercedes-Benz Classic Archive: D849897)Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Grand Prix racing car with chassis number 9. RM Sotheby's auction of the vehicle from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum on 1 February 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. Transfer of the Silver Arrow into the museum. Photo: Maximilian Balazs (Photo signature of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives: D849897)

What makes this W 196 R so special? The vehicle represents the pinnacle of 1950s racing innovation, developed to meet new regulations that limited engine displacement to 2.5 liters. The Silver Arrow earned its legendary status through dominant performances by racing icons Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss, who demonstrated the car’s superior technology and breathtaking speed on tracks worldwide.

Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Grand-Prix-Rennwagen mit der Fahrgestellnummer 9. Auktion von RM Sotheby’s des Fahrzeugs aus dem Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum am 1. Februar 2025 im Mercedes-Benz Museum. Einbringung des Silberpfeils in das Museum. Foto: Maximilian Balazs (Fotosignatur der Mercedes-Benz Classic Archive: D849892)Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Grand Prix racing car with chassis number 9. RM Sotheby's auction of the vehicle from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum on 1 February 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. Transfer of the Silver Arrow into the museum. Photo: Maximilian Balazs (Photo signature of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives: D849892)

Interestingly, the auction took place in the same room where another Mercedes-Benz masterpiece, the 300 SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupé,” set the all-time auction record in 2022, selling for an astronomical $142.3 million. This latest sale further solidifies Mercedes-Benz’s position at the summit of the collector car market.

Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Grand-Prix-Rennwagen mit der Fahrgestellnummer 9. Vorbereitung des Fahrzeugs im Werk Untertürkheim als Geschenk für das Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Foto vom 9. April 1965. (Fotosignatur der Mercedes-Benz Classic Archive: 65075-1)Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Grand Prix racing car, chassis number 9. Preparation of the vehicle at the Untertürkheim plant as a gift for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Photo dated 9 April 1965 (photo signature of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives: 65075-1)

Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH, highlighted the significance of the sale, noting that very few Silver Arrows are in private hands. “Our Silver Arrows are among the most iconic and sought-after vehicles ever built,” he emphasized, “true shining stars in the firmament of motorsport and automotive history.”

Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Grand-Prix-Rennwagen mit der Fahrgestellnummer 9. Eingesetzt mit Stromlinienkarosserie im Großen Preis von Italien in Monza am 11. September 1955. Gefahren von Stirling Moss mit der Startnummer 16. Foto in einer Steilkurve der Rennstrecke von Monza. (Fotosignatur der Mercedes-Benz Classic Archive: R7986)Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Grand Prix racing car, chassis number 9, entered with Streamliner-bodywork in the Italian Grand Prix in Monza on 11 September 1955, driven by Stirling Moss with starting number 16, photo taken in a banked curve on the Monza race track. (Photo signature of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives: R7986)

The sale marks a transformative moment for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, with President Joe Hale expressing gratitude for their role in preserving this piece of racing history. The proceeds will significantly boost the museum’s endowment and support future restoration projects and collection expansion.

Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Grand-Prix-Rennwagen mit Stromlinienkarosserie im Mercedes-Benz Museum, Raum Mythos 7: Silberpfeile – Rennen und Rekorde. Siegerfahrzeug mit Juan Manuel Fangio am Steuer, Startnummer 18, beim Großen Preis von Italien in Monza am 11. September 1955. Foto: Lukas Müller. (Fotosignatur der Mercedes-Benz Classic Archive: D849932)Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Grand Prix racing car with Streamliner-bodywork in the Mercedes-Benz Museum, Legend Room 7: Silver Arrows – Races and Records. Winning car with Juan Manuel Fangio at the wheel, starting number 18, at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza on 11 September 1955. Photo: Lukas Müller. (Photo signature of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives: D849932)

Gord Duff, RM Sotheby‘s Global Head of auctions, summed up the historic nature of the sale: “This car is simply one of the most important racing cars in history.” The successful auction not only sets a new benchmark for Grand Prix racing cars but also demonstrates the enduring appeal and value of Mercedes-Benz’s legendary racing heritage.

Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Grand-Prix-Rennwagen mit der Fahrgestellnummer 9. Auktion von RM Sotheby’s des Fahrzeugs aus dem Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum am 1. Februar 2025 im Mercedes-Benz Museum. Einbringung des Silberpfeils in das Museum. Foto: Maximilian Balazs (Fotosignatur der Mercedes-Benz Classic Archive: D849904)Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Grand Prix racing car with chassis number 9. RM Sotheby's auction of the vehicle from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum on 1 February 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. Transfer of the Silver Arrow into the museum. Photo: Maximilian Balazs (Photo signature of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives: D849904)

For collectors and automotive enthusiasts worldwide, this sale represents more than just a record-breaking transaction – it’s a testament to the timeless allure of the Silver Arrows and their significant place in motorsport history.

Subhash Nair
Subhash Nairhttp://www.dsf.my
Written work on dsf.my. @subhashtag on instagram. Autophiles Malaysia on Youtube.
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