![This Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe is the world's most expensive car at RM 628 million 01]()
If you think the prices of JDM sports cars from the 90s are getting ridiculous, you’ll want to sit down for this. An ultra-rare, one of two original Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupes from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Collection just went under the hammer at auction and sold for a whopping 135 million EUR (~RM 628 million) to a private collector, making it the most valuable car of all time.
It’s all for a good cause though as Mercedes-Benz has said the proceeds will be used to establish a worldwide “Mercedes-Benz Fund” to provide educational and research scholarships in the areas of environmental science and decarbonisation for young people.
![This Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe is the world's most expensive car at RM 628 million 02]()
The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe from 1955 is just one of two prototypes built at the time and was named after its creator and chief engineer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut. Many automotive engineers and designers concur; and we’re sure you’ll agree as well, that the coupe is considered to be one of the finest examples of automotive engineering and design.
“The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupes are milestones in sports car development and key historical elements that have shaped our brand. The decision to sell one of these two unique sports cars was taken with very sound reasoning – to benefit a good cause. The proceeds from the auction will fund a global scholarship program. With the ‘Mercedes-Benz Fund’ we would like to encourage a new generation to follow in Rudolf Uhlenhaut's innovative footsteps and develop amazing new technologies, particularly those that support the critical goal of decarbonisation and resource preservation,” says Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.
![This Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe is the world's most expensive car at RM 628 million 01]()
Aside from all this being for a good cause, the bragging rights are undoubtedly worth more than the price of the car itself. Mercedes-Benz now gets to strut around everywhere and claim their car is the most valuable in the world.
On a far more noble note, the proceeds from the sale will form the seed capital for the “Mercedes-Benz Fund” that will be divided into two sub-categories:
- University Scholarships to connect, educate and encourage students to conduct research on environmental science projects
- School Scholarships focusing on pupils to realise local environmental projects in their communities
![This Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe is the world's most expensive car at RM 628 million 02]()
The program itself will also leverage on the expertise within Mercedes-Benz by making mentorships available to the students; possible opening up new career prospects down the road.
As for that gorgeous coupe, the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe was auctioned on 5 May 2022 together with renowned auctioneer RM Sotheby’s. Only select Mercedes-Benz customers and collectors were invited to bid.
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The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe was part of the non-public vehicle collection belonging to Mercedes-Benz Classic, comprising over 1,100 automobiles from the invention of the automobile in 1886 until today.
Nonetheless, the unnamed private buyer has agreed that the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe will remain accessible for public display on special occasions.
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