Mercedes Benz W 196 R Strominienwagen Bolid, 1954, became one of the most expensive cars in the world. This car was estimated at the auction RM Sotheby's for $ 51.155 million.

Thus, Mercedes Stromlinenwagen has become the most valuable Grand Prix racing car, and the second in cost car from all ever sold in the world. This is evidenced by Sotheby's data.

This lot became the only auction in Stuttgart. Before selling, the car was in the collection of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Automobile Museum.

A car with the chassis number 00009/54 is equipped with a streamlined body of Strominienwagen with closed wheels. In total, with such a body there were only four copies.

For the first time, the sold was the sold in races in 1955-on Grand Prix Buenos Aires. The pilot at that time was the future five -time world champion Juan Manuel Fanchio. Later, the Bolid was controlled by the Moss Moss.

In 1965, the Daimler-Benz AG concern gave this car to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Now the museum decided to part with some exhibits, including the legendary car. The proceeds there are promised to invest in the reconstruction of the museum and the restoration of other machines from the storerooms. The new concept suggests that the museum will concentrate more on American cars.

Earlier, the most expensive copy of the model was the W196 was another car of the 1950s. In 2013, 22.6 million euros were paid for it at Hudwood Festival in Goodwood.

But in general, more money than for Mercedes Benz W 196 R Strominienwagen was given only for Mercedes-Benz 300 Slr Uhlenhaut Coupe of 1955. It was also sold on RM Sotheby's - for $ 135 million in 2022.