The Mercedes-Benz W196, a legendary race car that once dominated the Formula 1 circuit, has been sold for a record $29.6M at Bonhams during the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
In 1954, five-time world champion, Juan Manuel Fangio drove the asymmetrically shaped racer to victories in both the German and Swiss Formula 1 Grand Prix races.
According to James Knight, a director at Bonhams auction house, the price fetched for this one of a Mercedes was a world record easily surpassing the $16.39M spent on a 1957 Ferrari Testa Rossa in 2011.
There’s been no word yet on who may have purchased the car, or whether it’ll ever see another day out in the sun, but auctioneers at the Goodwood Festival of speed were quick to point out that the W196 is still in good driving condition.
Watch a Vintage Video of Formula 1 Races from 1954:
Image & Video Courtesy of Bonhams & Mrpitv