Intelligence Squared The Specialist | The Most Valuable Car in the World, with Gord Duff And Marcus Breitschwerdt
Oct 10, 2025
Join Gord Duff, President of RM Sotheby’s, a top expert in classic cars, and Marcus Breitschwerdt, Executive Vice President of Mercedes-Benz, as they delve into the thrilling saga of the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé. This car, a museum gem, became the world's most expensive automobile. They discuss its remarkable design, the secretive auction planning, and its record-breaking sale at €135 million. The duo also highlights the emotional significance of funding education through the auction proceeds.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Two Prototype Coupes Never Meant To Sell
- Mercedes built two 1955 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupés as prototypes and kept them in-house for decades.
- Gord Duff recounts that these coupes were never sold and remained with the factory their whole lives.
Racing Tech Meets Sculptural Design
- The 300 SLR blends racing engineering with stunning design, using a magnesium body and an eight-cylinder engine.
- Gord Duff highlights the car's direct link to Mercedes' racing success and its instantly recognisable features.
Mille Miglia Victory Cemented Fame
- The roadster variant won the 1955 Mille Miglia with Stirling Moss in record time, cementing the model's fame.
- Gord Duff uses that victory to explain why even non-enthusiasts recognise the 300 SLR lineage.