(CNN) Mercedes-Benz
confirmed on Thursday that it recently sold the world's most expensive car. A
very rare 1955 Mercedes-Benz SLR coupe that had been kept in the German
automaker's collection was sold to a private owner for €135 million, the
equivalent of $142 million. That price makes it the most expensive car known to
ever have been sold, according to Hagerty, a company that tracks collector car
values.
Money from
the sale will be used to establish the "Mercedes-Benz Fund", a global scholarship
fund.
"Mercedes-Benz
Fund" will support young people in their studies, commitment and actions
towards a more sustainable future.
Mercedes-Benz
will invest 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 conduct research on
environmental science projects and School Scholarships focusing on students`
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 Mercedes that was sold was one of only two 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe prototypes. The 67-year-old cars were named for Mercedes' chief engineer at the time, Rudolf Uhlenhaut, and are claimed to have a top speed of 186 mph.
It was
sold at a closed invitation-only auction at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in
Stuttgart two weeks ago. The auction was held in cooperation with auto auction
company RM Sotheby's.
The other
Uhlenhaut Coupe will remain in the Museum's collection, according to a
Mercedes-Benz statement.
"Their
racing cars from the 1930s and 1950s are rare, and most are still owned by the
factory, so any that come to market are highly sought after," said Brian
Rabold, vice president for automotive intelligence at Hagerty.
Mercedes' "Gullwing"
SLRs -- so-called because of the doors that rise up like curved wings -- are
considered to be among the world's most desirable cars. And various rare and
racing versions are especially valuable.
The SLR
Uhlenhaut Coupe was, essentially, a hard-top version of Mercedes' famous open-topped
SLR racing car, powered by a 300 horsepower eight-cylinder engine. The thinking
was that a closed car protected drivers from wind and weather at
high speeds, while the closed roof also improved aerodynamics.
Shortly after
the development of these cars, Mercedes stopped its involvement in motorsports,
so the cars were never used in competition.
While the
identity of the car's new owners remains unknown, British classic car dealer
Simon Kidston claimed in a press release he placed the winning bid on behalf of
a customer.
