Mercedes-Benz type W 196 R Grand Prix single seat racing car British auction house Bonhams made history at an auction on July 12 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The original Juan Manuel Fangio winning Grand Prix car, a 1954 Mercedes-Benz type W 196 R Grand Prix single seat racing car, was sold for £19.6 million, setting the world record price for an auctioned car. The auction also set the world record for the highest price for a Maserati at £4m when the 1955 300s Sports-Racing Spider was sold.
James Knight, Group Motoring Director at Bonhams, stated \"Bonhams enjoys an enviable position as the auction house that holds the most world records for premier motoring marques.\"
The Mercedes-Benz W196 became the most valuable motor vehicle to be sold at auction, beating the previous record set by a Ferrari in 2011.
Bidders from 32 countries took part in the auction which included 63 collectors cars.