Auction highlight in autumn: Formula One racing car Mercedes-Benz W 196 R from 1954/1955

#mercedes #mercedesbenz #w196r #formulaone #mercedesbenzw196r #mercedesclassic #mercedesbenzclassic #motorsport #pebblebeach

• The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is auctioning off its original Silver Arrow in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Classic and RM Sotheby’s
• Experts assign a potential record value to the vehicle
• The Mercedes-Benz Museum provides the framework for the auction
• In advance, a manufacturer’s expert report from Mercedes-Benz Classic certifies the originality, authenticity and unique history

A highlight at Pebble Beach Automotive Week 2024 is the W 196 R Formula One racing car which will be at the Mercedes-Benz stand at the weekend. The racing car has belonged to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum since 1965. The vehicle is expected to be auctioned towards the end of the year by RM Sotheby’s at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. It is thus one of very few W 196 R to change hands. Experts assign a potential record value to the vehicle. The most valuable automobile in the world is one of only two Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupé” built. It was sold by Mercedes-Benz in May 2022 for the record price of 135 million euros. The racing sports car is based on the successful Formula One Silver Arrow of the 1954 and 1955 seasons.

“The Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows continue to shine decades after their outings and successes. Mercedes-Benz Heritage is supporting the planned auction with all its product and heritage expertise: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum will use the proceeds from the auction to renovate its exhibition in order to keep the fascination of motorsport alive for fans from all over the world with contemporary offerings. The auction at the Mercedes-Benz Museum will be one of the most exciting moments of the year.”
Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH

“RM Sotheby’s and Mercedes-Benz Classic have had an amazing relationship over the years. Most notably, we worked together to bring the ‘Uhlenhaut Coupé’ to market. Now, in partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, we’re presenting something just as special — a Mercedes-Benz W 196 R, raced by two of the greatest, Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss. The proceeds from this sale will go to a good cause, continuing the legacy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum through various projects and establishing an endowment for the Museum to grow and care for its collection, ensuring the organization’s long-term viability.”
Rob Myers, Chairman and CEO of the RM Group of Companies

“The Mercedes-Benz W 196 R represents a remarkable piece of motorsport history. It has been an honour for us to have this extraordinary vehicle in our collection. Funds from this auction will secure the future of our collection, allowing us to acquire items that meet our mission and to continue necessary restoration work for years to come. We are pleased that the experts at Mercedes-Benz Classic will certify the originality and history with their manufacturer’s expert report. The Mercedes-Benz Museum is the right setting for the subsequent auction.”
Joe Hale, President Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

After Pebble Beach Automotive Week 2024, the race car will come to the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Stuttgart for a manufacturer’s expert report. This document provides detailed evidence of the originality and history of particularly high-quality classics in the brand's history. This makes it a special testimony to authenticity. The technical experts at the Classic Center work closely with the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives.

Details of the Mercedes-Benz W 196 R with chassis number 9
The racing car with chassis number 9 was completed after the 1954 season and was initially built as a variant with free-standing wheels. For the formula-free “Buenos Aires Grand Prix” on 30 January 1955, the chassis was equipped with a 3-litre engine. Juan Manuel Fangio achieved two second place finishes in front of his home crowd in both races, which secured him the overall victory. For the rest of the season, the vehicle had the 2.5-litre engine in accordance with Formula One regulations. On 11 September 1955, Stirling Moss drove it at the last race of the season in Monza, for the high-speed circuit it was equipped with the streamlined body. In seventh position, Moss retired after 28 laps. After the completion of the racing activities in 1955, the vehicle was handed over to the former factory museum. In 1965, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum received this Mercedes-Benz W 196 R as a gift from the then Daimler-Benz AG.

The two seasons of 1954 and 1955 are among the brand's most successful motorsport years: Mercedes-Benz makes a brilliant return to the Grand Prix scene with the Silver Arrow W 196 R. In both years, Juan Manuel Fangio became Formula One World Champion with the W 196 R. In addition, Stirling Moss won the World Sports Car Championship in 1955 with the 300 SLR (W 196 S).

Further information on the Mercedes-Benz W 196 R: mb4.me/Rennwagen-W-196-R

Continue reading...