1 of 2 Merc 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupes auctioned for €135-M, proceeds go to carmaker's charity

MANILA: A Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe from 1955 has been sold at auction for a record price of €135 million (around P7.4 billion) to a private collector. This icon of automotive history is an absolute rarity — one of just two prototypes built at the time. 

Named after its creator and chief engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut, it is considered to be one of the finest examples of automotive engineering and design by automotive experts and enthusiasts worldwide. 

The proceeds from the auction of the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe serve as seed capital for the global initiative. Mercedes-Benz is committed to investing additional resources in the coming years.

The Mercedes-Benz Fund will be divided into two sub-categories: University Scholarships in order to connect, educate and encourage students to realize/conduct research on environmental science projects; and School Scholarships focusing on pupils to realize local environmental projects in their communities.

 

 

The program funds will be directed to individuals who otherwise do not have the financial means for their projects and career paths. The program will go beyond financially supporting the young people and include extracurricular elements like Mercedes-Benz mentorships opening up new career prospects.

The sale of the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe took place at an auction held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in cooperation with renowned auctioneer RM Sotheby's. The vehicle was part of non-public vehicle collection belonging to Mercedes- Benz Classic, comprising more than 1,100 automobiles from the invention of the automobile in 1886 until today.

Invitees at the RM Sotheby's were among selected Mercedes-Benz customers and international collectors of cars and art, who share the corporate values of Mercedes-Benz.

"The private buyer has agreed that the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe will remain accessible for public display on special occasions, while the second original 300 SLR Coupe remains in company ownership and will continue to be displayed at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart," Head of Mercedes-Benz Heritage Marcus Breitschwerdt disclosed in a release. 

Photos from Mercedes-Benz

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