The Bluest of Chips: 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R to be Sold in Stuttgart, Kicking Off Indy Collection Sales

RM Sotheby’s has announced that it will offer one of the world’s most important racing cars at auction on February 1.

The 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R Stromlinienwagen, chassis 00009/54, is the first streamliner-bodied W196 R to be offered into private ownership. The car has a storied history, being driven to victory at the 1955 Buenos Aires Grand Prix by Juan Manuel Fangio and at the 1955 Italian Grand Prix at Monza by Sir Stirling Moss. The car was donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in 1965, and is offered now still wearing the streamline body as raced at Monza — it’s one of four known complete examples fitted with its factory streamliner body.

This is a rare shot at a very rare and special car — and the gravity of the event will be on display at its standalone auction in Stuttgart on February 1, held in association with Mercedes-Benz Heritage. The car is thought to be worth in excess of €50,000,000.

“The renowned W196 R Silver Arrows stand for our brilliant Formula One successes of the mid-1950s,” said Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage. “RM Sotheby’s auctioning of one of these racing cars from the collection of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is an outstanding highlight. We are proud to host this auction at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. The experts at our Classic Centre are currently working on a manufacturer’s expert report regarding the originality and authenticity of the vehicle. This unique service is part of the close collaboration of Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH with RM Sotheby’s and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.”

This is just one of an 11-car collection to be offered at three upcoming RM Sotheby’s auctions at Stuttgart, Paris and Miami from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Collection. Others include:

The 1964 Ferrari 250 LM that was of Luigi Chinetti’s NART entries for the 1965 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a race in which Masten Gregory and Jochen Rindt, driving this car, achieved an first overall finish. The car raced in two additional 24 Hours of Le Mans events and was a three-time entrant at the 24 Hours of Daytona. It will be auctioned in Paris at RM Sotheby’s Retromobile event, February 4 and 5, and is estimated in excess of €25,000,000.

The 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II campaigned by Holman-Moody at the 1966 24 Hours of Sebring, driven by Walt Hansgen and Mark Donohue, and then at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it was driven by Mark Donohue and Paul Hawkins. Following Le Mans, the car was shown in Europe before going on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in 1968. This car is estimated at $8,000,000 – $11,000,000 and will be offered at RM Sotheby’s Miami event.

The 1957 Chevrolet Corvette SS Project XP-64 — the first purpose-built GM race car, and a personal project of Zora Arkus-Duntov. Known internally as Project XP-64, it represents a design exercise in lightweight construction and aerodynamics in an effort for GM to compete on the world’s biggest racing stages against European sports cars in endurance events. This is the sole Corvette SS completed. It was raced at the 1957 12 Hours of Sebring by noted racing drivers John Fitch and Piero Taruffi. This car is estimated at $5,000,000 – $7,000,000 and will also be on offer in Miami.

The 1908 Mercedes 17.3-Liter 150 HP ‘Brookland’ Semmering Rennwagen, which is one of three surviving Mercedes race cars of the “Brookland” type, named in honor of its accomplishments at the Brooklands British racing circuit. It is the only one with a fully documented race history. This is the most advanced and successful chain-drive, large-displacement Grand Prix car of its era, representing the ultimate development of the original Mercedes design. This car is estimated at $7,000,000 – $9,000,000, this one also offered in Miami.

The 1991 Benetton B191 Formula 1 that was used by Michael Schumacher in his first full season in Formula One. He drove the car in the very first race of the 1992 season, the South African Grand Prix, a race in which Schumacher started 6th and would finish 4th behind Nigel Mansell, Riccardo Patrese and Ayrton Senna, respectively. The car was later driven at the 1992 Mexican Grand Prix and Brazilian Grand Prix by British Formula One driver and current F1 commentator Martin Brundle. This car is estimated at $600,000 – $800,000 at the Miami event.

The 1907 Itala 120 HP Works Racing Car — one of three surviving big-displacement competition Italas, and one of only two surviving 1907 Itala racing cars. Unlike many road and racing cars of its time, this racing machine features a 14.5-litre engine and is shaft-driven, contrasting with the chain-driven Mercedes of the same era. This car is estimated at $2,000,000 – $3,000,000, on offer in Miami.

The 1930 Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix — a rare, supercharged variant of one of the most successful racing models of all time. It boasts known ownership from new with just six owners, and was campaigned in Europe early in its life by drivers Georges Bouriano and Arthur Legat. It raced before and after WWII at important venues including Monaco, Dieppe, Comminges, the Bugatti Grand Prix at Le Mans and Chimay, as well as hillclimb events. This car is estimated at $1,000,000 – $1,800,000, on offer in Miami.

The 1911 Laurin & Klement Type S2 Sportswagen — the sole surviving example of Laurin & Klement’s S2 Sportswagen, an Edwardian thoroughbred boasting period competition history and wild engineering features, including an early implementation of active aerodynamics. It has been in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum since 1964. This car is estimated at $100,000 – $150,000 and well be on offer in Miami.

Craig Breedlove’s 1965 Spirit of America Sonic I set the land speed record on 15 November 1965 on Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats with a run of 600.601 mph. This was the fastest recorded run of Breedlove’s entire legendary career. Craig’s wife, Lee, also set the women’s land speed record in this car, averaging 308.56 mph. This car is estimated at $500,000 – $1,000,000 and will be presented for sale in Miami.

The 1911 Mercedes 22/40 HP ‘Colonial’ Double Phaeton is an astonishingly authentic example of Mercedes’ luxurious 22/40 HP, this special car was configured in “Colonial” specification, with dual chain drive improving ground clearance and widening its track; a rare and highly original survivor ideally suited to Brass Era touring events. This complete and unmodified car is estimated at $150,000 – $250,000 and will come to market at the Miami auction.

These cars will be offered at auction with proceeds to support the museum’s efforts to both maintain its collection and grow into the future.

“We at RM Sotheby’s are beyond honored to have been entrusted to sell this collection of some of the most historically important cars to have ever been created,” said Gord Duff, President, RM Sotheby’s. “From the 1954 Mercedes Benz W 196 R that was raced by Stirling Moss and Fangio, to the 1964 Ferrari 250 LM that not only won Le Mans but went on to race five more 24 Hour events, to what we believe to be one of the most important Brass Era cars ever to come to auction, the 1908 Mercedes 17.3-Liter with known ownership from new. Then there is the 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II, the 1957 Corvette SS, and Craig Breedlove’s 600 mph+ Spirit of America Sonic I. Many of these cars have been with the Museum for more than half a century and this is truly an unrepeatable opportunity.”

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