The Racing Mercedes Sold for 180 Billion Won... Breaks Record as the World's Most Expensive Car

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Mercedes-Benz recently sold a racing coupe that had been kept in a museum for 180 billion KRW, setting a new record for the 'most expensive car in the world.'

According to Bloomberg on the 19th (local time), the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, which was kept at the Mercedes-Benz Museum, was sold through a secret auction for 135 million euros (approximately 181.7 billion KRW). The company stated that the proceeds from the sale will be used to establish a global scholarship fund called the 'Mercedes-Benz Fund.'

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

The Uhlenhaut Coupe is named after Rudolf Uhlenhaut, the engineer and test driver who developed the car, and it can reach a top speed of 290 km/h.

According to the American car insurance company Hagerty, the sale price of this vehicle is the highest ever for a car sold worldwide. The previous record was held by the 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO, which was sold for 48.4 million dollars (approximately 61.9 billion KRW) in 2018.

Only two 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupes exist worldwide, and the remaining one after this sale will be kept as a collection at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. The identity of the buyer of the vehicle has not been disclosed, but it is known that a British classic car dealer won the bid on their behalf.