Records are broken all the time. But it’s not often you find a vehicle with a 135 million EUR sticker like the 1955 Merc 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe. You’ll agree that is a record that will take some time to break.
The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe was sold through auction to a private collector on 5th May at the Mercedes-Benz Museum, with the partnership of RM Sotheby’s, a well-known auctioneer. Participation in the auction was by invitation only.
The funds will go towards a global scholarship program to encourage a new generation of innovators to follow in Rudolf Uhlenhaut’s footsteps in innovation. Most of the focus will be on resource preservation and decarbonization.
Why so expensive?
The Coupe that got its name from its creator, Rudolf Uhlenhaut, is an absolute rarity, given that it was one of the just two prototypes to be made at the time. The vehicle is a fine specimen of fine automotive design and engineering.
The 300 Uhlenhaut Coupe holds the key historical elements that shaped the Mercedes brand and is a milestone in sports car development.
Why did Mercedes sell such a rare gem?
The Mercedes brand shows great responsibility towards society, considering their position in the global market. As such, the amount obtained from the sale of 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe goes toward a “Mercedes-Benz Fund.” This is to support learning for young people and ensure a sustainable future.
The sale provided the seed capital for the fund, and that means the brand is going to invest further in the initiative. Mercedes Benz sees the auction as connecting the past with the future, using something valuable from the past to support a worthwhile project in the future.
The buyer agreed to allow public viewing of the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe on particular days.
