A Mercedes raced by Formula 1 legend Juan Manuel Fangio in 1955 set a record for a grand prix car on Saturday, selling at auction for $53 million. The silver W196 R Stromlinienwagen -- one of only four in existence -- was sold by RM Sotheby's at the Mercedes museum in Stuttgart,

Five-time world champion Fangio won the 1955 Buenos Aires Grand Prix in the W196 R, while Moss set the fastest lap at an average speed of 134mph in the car at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza the same year. Moss retired after the feat.

The record for the most expensive F1 car sold at auction has been comprehensively beaten, with a title-winning Mercedes under the hammer.

A Mercedes-Benz W196 R 'Stromlinienwagen' driven by Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss has been sold for an astronomical €46,500,000 at auction.

A Mercedes streamliner once driven by Formula One greats Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss made history at the weekend when it was sold at auction for a record €51.155 million ($52.52 million), becoming the most expensive grand prix car ever sold.

Mercedes W196 Streamliner driven by Formula One legends Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss was sold for a record $53 million (51.155mln euros) at auction in Stuttgart.

An extremely rare 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R Stromlinienwagen has been sold at auction for 51 million euros, or Rs 456 crore, making it the most expensive Formula 1 car ever auctioned. It is one of only four known complete examples fitted with factory-built streamlined bodywork.