Mercedes-Benz has sold a classic car from its collection for a record-breaking €135,000,000. The funds will be used to establish a worldwide “Mercedes-Benz Foundation” that will provide educational and research scholarships in the areas of "environmental science and decarbonisation for young people".
The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé was sold to a private collector. The car, which is one of two prototypes built by the Mercedes-Benz racing department, is named after its creator and chief engineer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut.
The price makes it the most valuable car ever sold, exceeding the existing record (for a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO in 2018) by more the €90,000,000. The 300 SLR now sits in the top ten most valuable items of any type ever sold at auction, but is said to be more fun to drive than a Van Gogh or Ming vase.
It is thought unlikely the new owner will convert the SLR to an electric powertrain.
The Gullwing doors got collectors in a flap 
