A legendary Mercedes W196 R Stromlinienwagen, one of only four complete examples in existence, is being sold by RM Sotheby’s on behalf of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and could become the most expensive grand prix car of all time at a target price of more than €50 million ($52.10 million) at an auction in Stuttgart on February 1.

A streamlined Mercedes W196 R Stromlinienwagen raced by Stirling Moss and five-time Formula One world champion Juan Manuel Fangio in 1955 in Fellbach, Germany, January 24, 2025.

Timm Reichert/Reuters