A 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R Stromlinienwagen has set a brand new document at public sale by changing into the second most costly automotive ever bought. The Streamliner-bodied race automotive fetched a cool $53.9 million!
The W196 R is certainly one of simply 4 automobiles ever produced, and that is the one instance that has ever been provided on the market. This actual automotive, chassis quantity 00009/54, was raced by not one however two motorsport legends – Juan Manuel Fangio and Sir Stirling Moss.
The W196 R marked Mercedes’ return to aggressive racing after World Warfare II, profitable on its debut on the 1955 Buenos Aires GP. Fangio went on to win his second driver’s championship in the identical 12 months, whereas Moss completed in second place. Out of the 14 races it entered, the W196 R gained 11 of these.
The W 196 R has a traditional streamline physique with a single seat and facet exhausts. Below the lengthy hood is a 2.5-litre straight-eight M196 engine, which makes 290 hp and options dry sump lubrication and gasoline injection.
Supply: RM Sotheby’s