This Mercedes-Benz Coupe Breaks World's Most Expensive Car Price Record: Beats Ferrari, Proceeds From Sales For Research Scholarships

Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé. (Source: Mercedes-Benz AG)

JAKARTA - Not a car, this Mercedes-Benz has managed to break the record price of cars sold at auction according to RM Sotheby's, a rare car that is now owned by a lucky collector.

The 1955 Mercedes Coupé 300 SLR Uhlenhaut, one of only two prototypes made, was sold on May 5 at a secret auction at the Mercedes-Benz museum in Stuttgart, Germany, in collaboration between Sotheby's luxury car subsidiary and the German automaker.

Sold for 135 million euros, or around Rp.2,090,404,810,800, the selling price of this car is almost three times the previous record. Four years ago, a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO was sold at auction by RM Sotheby's for 45 million euros, reports Euronews May 20.

The car, which is owned by Mercedes-Benz, was sold to a private collector. Proceeds from the sale will be used to launch an institution that provides scholarships for young people to study and research environmental science and decarbonization.

"The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé is a milestone in the development of sports cars and a key historical element that has shaped our brand. The decision to sell one of these two unique sports cars was taken with very good reason, for a good cause. The proceeds from the auction will fund a global scholarship program," said CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group AG Ola Källenius, citing the Mercedes-Benz AG website.

"With the Mercedes-Benz Fund, we want to encourage a new generation to follow in the innovative footsteps of Rudolf Uhlenhaut and develop new, extraordinary technologies, especially those that support the critical goals of decarbonization and resource conservation."

The buyer has agreed to present his vehicle to the public during extraordinary events. The other models will remain the property of Mercedes-Benz, which will continue to exhibit them at its museum in Stuttgart.

According to RM Sotheby's and PR for the luxury and sports car manufacturer, the 300 SLR is recognized by its unusual outline and 'gullwing' doors, created by engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut, based on the race car, the W196 R Grand Prix, which won two Formula 1 championships in 1954. and 1955 with Italian Juan Manuel Fangio.

The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé sold at auction are part of the Mercedes-Benz Classic's non-public vehicle collection, which includes more than 1100 cars since the car's invention in 1886 to the present day.