And finally… Moss-ive price tag

And finally... Moss-ive price tag

A Mercedes W196 R Stromlinienwagen, driven by Formula One legends Stirling Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio, is expected to become the most expensive Grand Prix car ever sold when it goes under the hammer in Stuttgart on Saturday.

The “Streamline car,” one of only four complete examples in existence, is being sold by RM Sotheby’s on behalf of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). It carries a target price exceeding €50 million (c. £42m). If achieved, this would also make it the second most expensive car ever sold at auction, surpassed only by a 1955 Mercedes 300SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe which sold for €135m (c. £113m) in 2022.

The car, chassis number 00009/54, was driven to victory by Fangio in its open-wheel form at the 1955 Buenos Aires Grand Prix. Moss raced the streamline-bodied version at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, setting the fastest lap at an average speed of 215.7 km/h before retiring.

Donated to the IMS by Mercedes in 1965, the car is presented in its Monza livery. The sale, along with ten other vehicles from the IMS collection, will raise funds for the museum’s restoration.


Share icon
Share this article: