1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR 'Uhlenhaut Coupé'
- Engine
- 3.0L front-mounted straight-eight with twin side-exit exhausts
The second of just two Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR 'Uhlenhaut Coupé' prototypes ever constructed, chassis 196.110-00008/55 was built in December 1955 and declared road-ready on 29 June 1956. Conceived by engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut on W196 Grand Prix underpinnings as a proposed Carrera Panamericana contender, it was transformed after Mercedes-Benz withdrew from racing into an extraordinary prototype road car. Retained continuously by Mercedes-Benz since leaving the factory, it served for decades as a demonstration and exhibition vehicle before undergoing professional restoration in 1986 and subsequently appearing at major motorsport celebrations, concours events, and museum displays worldwide.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €135,000,000 (≈ $148.5M)
- 1955-12-01 →Factory deliveryMercedes-Benzfull documentation
Built in late 1955 and deemed road-ready in mid-1956, the car has remained continuously in Mercedes-Benz ownership since leaving the factory. It served as a demonstration vehicle, was used in the United States in the early 1960s, exhibited at numerous events from the mid-1960s onward, and features in a 2022 technical condition report on file.
Competition
- 1986-08-01Oldtimer Grand Prix
The car appeared at the Nürburgring event shortly after restoration work carried out by Tony Merrick was completed.
- 1988Geneva International Motor Show
Static display appearance at the Geneva show following earlier press coverage.
- 1999Formula 1 World Championship1999 German Grand Prix
Displayed at Hockenheim during the German Grand Prix weekend as part of official Mercedes-Benz activities.
- 2001Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Attended as part of the car's series of notable public appearances at prestigious concours and motorsport gatherings.
- —Goodwood Festival of Speed
One of several high-profile motorsport and concours appearances during the museum display era; specific year not given in the prose.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1956Modification
An Eberspächer silencer was fitted approximately six months after initial construction was completed.
Installation preceded the car being declared ready to drive on 29 June 1956.
- 1986RestorationTony Merrick
A comprehensive restoration was carried out by a leading historic vehicle restoration and race preparation specialist over a period of roughly six months.
Full correspondence and invoices between the restorer and Mercedes-Benz are held on file; work concluded by July 1986.
- 2022InspectionMercedes-Benz
A formal technical condition assessment of the vehicle was conducted by Mercedes-Benz.
Report is documented and held on file.
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