The Mercedes-Benz W196 race car piloted by Juan Manuel Fangio in the 1950s obliterated the public auction record for automobiles when it went under the gavel in England today, selling for a staggering $29.6 million.
That's right — someone paid nearly $30 million at the Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed auction to own the straight-8 racing car, chassis number "00006/54", that Fangio drove to victory in the 1954 German and Swiss Grands Prix.
The previous record for a public auction, according to Autoweek, was for a $16.4 million Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa that sold at Pebble Beach in 2011. Needless to say, Fangio's car handily destroyed that record.
As we reported earlier this year, the W196 shifted between various owners for decades, and it was originally predicted to sell for $7.6 million or more.
No details are available yet on who purchased the Mercedes, but let's hope it's going to a good home.
Photo credit Bonhams