← All 50 obscenities
Lot 1/5 · Classic Cars2022
#1 Most Expensive
The ItemMercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe

Mercedes sold its own museum piece privately, and it became the most expensive car ever sold.

$143,000,000

The Item

Built in 1955 and named after engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut, only two 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupes were ever made, and Mercedes-Benz had kept both in its own collection for nearly 70 years before deciding to sell one.

The car never raced competitively, existing largely as an engineering showcase.

Why It's Obscene

RM Sotheby's ran a private, invitation-only sale in 2022 that closed at $143 million — nearly double the previous record for any car ever sold.

Mercedes reportedly directed proceeds toward a scholarship fund, which didn't stop the sale from instantly rewriting the record books.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut CoupeVerified · Public record
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