London: A 1955 Mercedes-Benz, one of only two versions, was auctioned earlier this month because 135 million euros ($ 143 million), making it the most expensive car in the world ever sold, RM Sotheby was announced Thursday.
“A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe from 1955 was sold at a record price of 135,000,000 euros to a private collector,” the classic car auction company said in a statement.
Vehicles sold for almost three times the previous record, which was set in 2018 by the Ferrari 250 GTO 1962 which took more than 48 million dollars.
The special auction took place on May 5 at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, said the auction house.
This car is one of only two prototypes built by the Mercedes-Benz Race Department and named according to its creator and Chief Engineer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut, according to RM Sotheby.
“Private buyers have agreed that 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupes will still be accessed for public appearance at special events, while the second 300 original SLR Coupe remains the company’s ownership and will continue to be displayed at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart,” The The Stuttgart , “The auction company was added.
RM Sotheby said the results of the auction will be used to build Mercedes-Benz funds throughout the world that will fund environmental science and decarbonization research.