Most Valuable Grand Prix Car: World’s Richest Racing Heritage Sells for 54 Million

The Iconic Mercedes-Benz W196R Monza Streamliner: A Piece of Racing History

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) Museum has been downsizing its collection of iconic motorsports pieces, and the latest hero to hear the hammer drop is a vehicle infamous for its design as much as its drivers – the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Monza Streamliner. With a winning bid of nearly $54 million, this sale marks a significant milestone in the world of motorsports.

A Chassis with a Dual Identity

The chassis #00009/54 Mercedes-Benz W196R has a dual identity. For the 1955 Formula 1 season, the vehicle featured an open-wheel configuration for competition, driven by future racing legend Juan Manuel Fangio. Fangio set the tone for the race team by winning the season opener, the Argentine Grand Prix. Just off the podium in fourth was teammate and yet-to-be-knighted Stirling Moss.

From Indy to Stuttgart

The vehicle was later donated to the IMS Museum for exhibition, with a connection to the Indianapolis 500 and the museum’s new owner. Ten years later, the Monza Streamliner was sold at a standalone auction held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. With an initial estimated value ranging from $50 million to $70 million, the vehicle sold for 51,155,000 Euros ($53,917,000 USD at the time of the auction) plus 10% in auction fees and a 19% value-added tax (VAT). Before the extras, RM Sotheby’s says the Monza Streamliner is the most valuable Grand Prix vehicle ever sold.

A Piece of History

The sale of the Monza Streamliner is a significant moment in motorsports history. The vehicle’s design and performance played a crucial role in shaping the sport, and its legacy continues to inspire and captivate fans around the world. The proceeds from the sale will go toward the IMS Museum endowment, supporting the facility’s renovations and refocusing its collection and exhibits to better reflect the IMS and the Indianapolis 500.

Images

[Image: IMS Museum – RM Sotheby’s – Mercedes-Benz W196R Streamliner]

[Image: IMS Museum – RM Sotheby’s – Mercedes-Benz W196R Streamliner]

Related Content

[Previous coverage of the IMS Museum’s auctions]

[Instagram post: The most valuable Grand Prix vehicle ever sold]