Historic Sale: 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Monza Streamliner

Over the past year, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) Museum has been actively downsizing its collection, which includes some of the most iconic pieces of motorsports history. Among these treasures, the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Monza Streamliner recently made headlines by fetching nearly $54 million at auction, marking the first time a W196R Streamliner was offered to the public. This sale, facilitated by RM Sotheby’s, highlights a prestigious list of auto racing heritage, with the Mercedes-Benz W196R standing out for its unique design and legendary drivers.

The Dual Identity of Chassis #00009/54

The W196R, known by its chassis number #00009/54, boasts a fascinating dual identity. Initially designed with an open-wheel configuration for the 1955 Formula 1 season, it was driven by the future racing legend, Juan Manuel Fangio. Fangio’s victory at the season opener, the Argentine Grand Prix, set a high bar for his team. His teammate, Stirling Moss, who had yet to be knighted, finished just off the podium in fourth place. The 1955 season, marked by the cancellation of four out of seven scheduled races, culminated in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Here, the W196R transformed into the Monza Streamliner, adopting an enclosed fender body for improved aerodynamics and speed on Monza’s new high-speed banks.

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Legacy of the Monza Streamliner

During the F1 finale, while Fangio piloted another Streamliner to victory, securing his second F1 championship crown, Moss, at the wheel of chassis #00009/54, recorded the fastest lap. This vehicle became one of only four known to feature the streamlined body style by the season’s end. A decade later, Mercedes-Benz donated this historic car to the IMS Museum, acknowledging the raceway’s new owner and his vision for revitalizing racing at Indy.

World’s Most Valuable Grand Prix Car

Recently, the Monza Streamliner was transferred to Stuttgart, Germany, for an exclusive auction at the Mercedes-Benz Museum, where it was initially valued between $50 million and $70 million. The final bid soared to 51,155,000 Euros ($53,917,000 USD), not including auction fees and a 19% VAT, setting a new record as the most valuable Grand Prix vehicle ever sold. The proceeds from this and other auctions are earmarked for the IMS Museum’s endowment, supporting renovations and a reimagined collection that better represents the IMS and the Indianap