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1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen sold for €51.15 million

This Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen was sold a few days ago for 51.15 million euros. It is one of only 14 units ever produced, and one of only four known complete examples mounted with the exquisite factory-built enclosed-fender Stromlinienwagen coachwork at the conclusion of the 1955 Formula One season.

The story of the W 196 R Stromlienwagen started in 1952 when the FIA ​​canceled the 1952 and 1953 seasons due to a lack of credible competition, and new regulations were introduced for 1954. These regulations specified that normally aspirated engines could not exceed 2.5 liters, while naturally aspirated engines were limited to 750 cubic centimeters. That’s why Mercedes-Benz created a truss-type narrow-diameter tubular space frame similar to the chassis of the W 194 300 SL, and equipped it with a front independent suspension via double wishbones, torsion springs and top-of-the-line hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers, and massive Alfin drum brakes.

However, since it was specified with few limitations to coachwork, Mercedes-Benz chose an open body in the shape of a W 196 R torpedo. This body, also known as Streamliner or Stromlinienwagen, was made in limited quantity by the racing department out of Elektron magnesium alloy, providing a shell even lighter than aluminum for a total weight of just over 88 pounds.

This W 196 R Stromlienwagen made its debut at the 1955 Buenos Aires Grand Prix, which was unusual in that it consisted of two separate heats of 30 laps each, with the winner determined by the fastest total aggregate time. This car was driven by Fangio, who finished 2nd in both races but won with an overall time of 2:23:18.9.

At the end of the 1955 season, Fangio was champion and Moss finished second. In two seasons, the model won three championships in two different racing series, demonstrating Mercedes-Benz’s dominance in Formula 1 racing. After retiring from racing, the car remained part of the collection until 1969, when it was donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

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1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen sold for €51.15 million
Auctions

2013 Lotus E21 is up for auction

Formula 1 cars don’t come up for auction very often, especially those driven by world champions, and one such car is up for sale. It’s a 2013 Lotus E21 driven by Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean, with an estimated value of €350,000 – €450,000.

In his 19-year Formula 1 career, Kimi Raikkonen has achieved 21 wins and 103 podiums, driving for 5 teams (Sauber, McLaren, Ferrari, Lotus, Alfa Romeo), but only one championship title. One of the cars he drove in the 2013 season is this Lotus E21, and what’s interesting about this car is that it didn’t achieve a single win.

The car was contested at five Grands Prix in the hands of Kimi Räikkönen, and a further seven with Romain Grosjean, achieving three 2nd places (Germany, Hungary, and United States) and three 3rd places (South Korea, Japan, and India). It is offered in static, non-running condition on behalf of BWT Alpine F1 Team, and it is not known if the original 2.4-liter V-8 Renault RS27-2013 engine with 750 hp at 18,000 rpm is still in the car.

This Lotus E21 has its original livery and will be auctioned on February 5, 2025 in Paris.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

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2013 Lotus E21 is up for auction
Auctions

1964 Shelby Cobra 289 FIA 50th Anniversary Edition is up for auction

The Shelby Cobra is a sports car produced by the American company AC Cars in the early 1960s. In 1964, Shelby debuted two body styles in the FIA ​​Manufacturer’s World Championship, the Daytona Coupe and the Roadster Cobra. Both were very powerful but not enough to initially dethrone Ferrari. However, they did manage to do so in 1965 when they secured America’s first FIA Manufacturer’s World Championship. Celebrating their 50th anniversary, Shelby American introduced the Cobra 289 FIA 50th Anniversary Edition as part of their Cobra Continuation Series. Only 50 examples were produced and one of them, the 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 FIA 50th Anniversary Edition, is up for auction.

The car is finished in Viking Blue, decorated with a white strip that runs the width of the front part and white circles on the hood, rear cover and sides with the number 50. It is equipped with a three-inch “drawn over Mandrel” tube chassis, an original wood-rimmed steering wheel, polished Monza-style fuel filler, Stewart Warner gauges, dashboard-mounted rearview mirror, an FIA-spec rollbar, and side-exit exhaust.

This Cobra is breathtaking but also provides an impressive driving experience for all road racing fans of the last century. It is powered by a powerful 302-cubic-inch V-8 engine which has been stroked to 363 cubic inches with more than 500 hp (373 kW) and 450 lb-ft (610 Nm) of torque. The engine is equipped with four Weber 48 IDA carburetors, and power is sent to the rear wheels via a TKO 600 Tremec five-speed manual transmission and a Kirkham TorqueTrak differential.

The auction will take place on January 24, 2025 and the estimated value of the car is $200,000 – $250,000 USD (Offered Without Reserve).

Source: RM Sotheby’s

Gallery:

1964 Shelby Cobra 289 FIA 50th Anniversary Edition is up for auction