W196 barn-find up for auction

[Mike Rotch]

Unbelievable - a Mercedes W196 "Streamliner" from 1954 that was found in a barn will be auctioned at Goodwoods in July.

I thought all of these were tucked away in Merc's factory museum! Gosh, what a find!

 

[Ken]

If only I had a spare $7 mil laying around. I could sit and stare at that all day. What a find indeed.

 

[Stotty]

Automotive history 👍

 

[DaxCobra]

That's just...

Wow.

 

[Anathema]

I had a book with this in it when I was younger (the W196 design) and I remember as it being the best looking of the racecars in there. The iconic silver paint scheme is what made me remember it so fondly.

Seeing this... I truly wish I had the money for it. I really do.

 

[Dennisch]

If only I had a spare $7 mil laying around. I could sit and stare at that would drive all day. What a find indeed.

Ftfy. 👍

 

[MoLiEG]

Seeing this... I truly wish I had the money for it. I really do.

And who doesn't...

 

[Downhill Dino]

For sitting around for decades it's in impeccable condition. The owner must have cleaned it from time to time. I hope it doesn't go to a private collection because I'd love to see it in person. Gotta love anything from the 50's!

Definitely going down on my "List of things to buy if I win the lottery."

 

[Luminis]

And here people thought Forza Horizon's Barn Find feature was unrealistic

 

[Brutaka]

Truly outstanding, i would love to be able to see the car in person.

 

[Cano]

This car has got to be one of the most significant barn finds in history. The fact that it's all original makes it all the more valuable. I really hope whoever buys it keeps it just as is, complete with decades-old dust over it, and just preserves it. Cars like this should not be restored, but left untouched, with just the mechanicals ssorted out for a few parade laps and nothing more, so you don't have to open the engine to restore it. Whoever says the car must be driven and raced is missing the point. For that there is the other two 196s in Mercedes Benz's possesion. This thing must be preserved just as it is.

 

[Nicksfix]

Unbelievable find
Wondering how many more of these are in existence ?

This is the best part of the article :

Nothing's been obliterated on this, it's just a beautiful survivor."

WOW ... just wow !!!

 

[Mike Rotch]

Unbelievable find
Wondering how many more of these are in existence ?

Uncorroborated information posted in the replies to the original article link in hte OP:

This car was donated by Daimler Benz way back, 1960s or 1970s, to the National Motor Museum in the UK, sat there til 1986 when they decided they needed money for extentions and new exhibits. So sold for UK 1 million (and why didnt they keep it, just 4 years later..........). Sold to the Bamford family and retained until 1990 aparently it was sold to Jacky Setton for some $20 million which was a then record for the most expensive car, not listed because it wasnt a public sale.
Anyways, several years go by, and in 2001 ish the car was sold to a German collector, Freddie Loh, who classic raced, nominally at the Monaco classics early 2000s. Finally it was reported to have sold 5 - 6 years ago to a middle eastern collector.............

 

[Ken]

Ftfy. 👍

I'm not sure I could drive that. Wouldn't trust myself, to be honest. I would cry for the rest of my life if I wrecked it.

 

[terminator363]

So damn pretty

 

[kikie]

Using the words of Wayne Carini.

Wow. Oh my, that is amazing. I think this car will sell for at least $10,000,000.

Seriously. That really is an amazing car. Incredible beautiful car and with a rich history as well.
I don't get it. How can some-one "forget" about this car. It's a real F1 car from the '50, driven by Juan Manuel Fangio, for crying out loud.

 

[Ken]

Seriously. That really is an amazing car. Incredible beautiful car and with a rich history as well.
I don't get it. How can some-one "forget" about this car. It's a real F1 car from the '50, driven by Juan Manuel Fangio, for crying out loud.

People will never know the value of sometime until it becomes valuable.

 

[kikie]

People will never know the value of sometime until it becomes valuable.

I guess so. That must be it.

 

[Bobert power]

First thing that comes to mind: Fangio's driving. I hope this goes to a buy who doesn't hide it away until death.

 

[Spacegoat]

Unbelievable find. Hard to believe something this historic has just been forgotten about for all these years.

 

[MisterWhiskers]

Oh mah gawd. I ******* love Mercedes! I'll sleep in that car and hug it everyday. What I wonder is, why would this piece of history be kept in a barn for such a long time, and be ignored and forgotten?

 

[kikie]

Oh mah gawd. I ******* love Mercedes! I'll sleep in that car and hug it everyday. What I wonder is, why would this piece of history be kept in a barn for such a long time, and be ignored and forgotten?

You can read the answer here:

www.gtplanet.net/forum/showpost.php?p=8296270#post8296270

 

[05XR8]

Its all about Mercedes-Benz this year. Love it. Every car should have tartan seat covers.

 

[RDF97]

Would I rather that or a Bond DB5??? and some of my other dream cars???

 

[RDF97]

Oh mah gawd. I ******* love Mercedes! I'll sleep in that car and hug it everyday. What I wonder is, why would this piece of history be kept in a barn for such a long time, and be ignored and forgotten?

He only waited until now to recognise the fact that he had one so he could sell it for how much and be set for life. I like that.

 

[RocZX]

It sold for $29.6 million
Making it most expensive car publicly auctioned

Jalopnik

 

[Robin]

Damn, I just got outbid at the very end!

How can someone misplace a car worth $29.6 million

 

[Mike Rotch]

Has the buyer been named? I wouldn't be surprised if it's Merc themselves who ponied up for it to complete their inhouse collection.

 

[Robin]

I'm willing to bet its a Chinese billionaire businessman. They like their Merc's out there.

 

[Nicksfix]

Has the buyer been named? I wouldn't be surprised if it's Merc themselves who ponied up for it to complete their inhouse collection.

The buyer of the W196, who bid by telephone, was described by the auction house only as a “wealthy enthusiast” with a history of buying and racing classic competition cars.

So, which person do we all know of that is a wealthy enthusiast who buys classic race cars ?
Perhaps it was just a spokesperson for Merc ? IDK ?

Another link about the sale of this prized car.

* make sure to read the part about Stirling Moss in this article ..... funny *

EDIT : maybe this museum

Just a wild guess