Rewind to the golden age of Formula One in the mid-1950s, a time when design freedom reigned supreme, and regulations were loose enough to let innovation flourish. Enter the Mercedes-Benz W 196 R, a race car that not only dominated the track but also redefined what a Formula One car could look like. With its streamlined bodywork, affectionately dubbed the "Stromlinienwagen", this machine was as much a rocket as it was a revolution. And now, one of these legendary cars is on the auction block, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.  

This isn’t just any racing relic, it’s the chassis No. 9, with a racing pedigree few can match. Its career kicked off in style at the Buenos Aires Grand Prix in January 1955, where the maestro himself, Juan Manuel Fangio, piloted it to a 1-2 victory. Later that year, it bowed out of competitive racing just as spectacularly, with Sir Stirling Moss behind the wheel at the 1955 Italian Grand Prix, securing another 1-2 finish and the fastest lap of the race.  

After its stint at the sharp end of the grid, Mercedes-Benz kept all 10 surviving W 196 examples in pristine running order. Chassis No. 9, however, would eventually find a new home, becoming part of the collection at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation, where it has remained ever since, receiving two refinishes over the years.  

RM Sotheby’s highlights that this is the only Stromlinienwagen ever made available to a private buyer and one of just four W 196 Rs featuring the streamlined bodywork that defined the 1955 F1 season. Its estimated value? Over R986 million (€52 million).  

The sale follows the jaw-dropping €135 million (R2.5 Billion) record set two years ago by the Mercedes 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, the most expensive car ever sold. While this W 196 may not match that level of rarity, its status as a race winner in the hands of legends makes it priceless to motorsport aficionados. RM Sotheby’s might just be underplaying its value here, it’s an opportunity as rare as they come.