1955 mercedes-benz 300 slr uhlenhaut coupe

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe is a legendary and historically significant car built in 1955. Named after Rudolf Uhlenhaut, the Mercedes-Benz motorsport chief and engineer, this car was a unique hybrid of racing and road car technology with gull-wing doors and a widened body. It was based on the W196 S Formula 1 racing car chassis and designed as a road-legal coupé intended to compete in prestigious events like the Carrera Panamericana. Only two of these exclusive coupés were ever made. After Mercedes-Benz withdrew from motorsport in 1955 following a tragic accident at Le Mans, the project was canceled, but Uhlenhaut kept one car as his personal company vehicle. This car was reputed as the fastest road car of its time, capable of nearly 290 km/h (about 180 mph). The Uhlenhaut Coupe was so fast that Uhlenhaut reportedly drove it from Munich to Stuttgart (220 km) in just over an hour, a trip which now takes about two and a half hours. The car is also known for its exceptional engineering, featuring an eight-cylinder 3.0-liter engine producing about 310 horsepower and weighing only around 1117 kg. It is an automotive icon not only for its performance but for its striking design and historical importance. In May 2022, one of the two remaining Uhlenhaut Coupés was sold at auction for 135 million euros (around 142 million dollars), making it the most expensive car ever sold. The sale was notable not just for the record-breaking price but also because the car is to remain publicly exhibited for special occasions. This car is considered a masterpiece combining racing technology with road-going elegance, and it remains a symbol of Mercedes- Benz's engineering prowess and motorsport heritage.