What should have been a dream premiere after two years of work ended in a million-dollar disaster. This Saturday, a Mercedes-Benz 230 SL, a gem of German engineering worth up to $180,000, was involved in a multiple accident on the Pan-American Highway.
A poorly adjusted nut while leaving the workshop caused a wheel to come loose in the middle of the highway, leading to the accident. The accident occurred at around 9:30 a.m. at the intersection with the Camino del Buen Ayre. According to sources cited by Infobae, the owner had only removed the vehicle that same morning after extensive repairs.
However, due to the mechanical failure, the car stopped in the left lane and triggered a chain reaction. The accident occurred within seconds and was recorded by other drivers’ cameras. After losing the steering wheel, the white Mercedes remained stranded without any ability to maneuver.
The detached wheel rolled a few meters, so that the vehicle came to a halt and ended up in a high-speed zone without any signs, while a car behind did not notice the obstacle in time and rammed into the rear of the “pagoda”, throwing it against the guardrail and involving other vehicles. Despite the spectacular nature of the images, no serious injuries were reported, although the damage is a total loss and the collector car is beyond repair.
The damaged unit was manually restored over the last 24 months. The destruction of the chassis and body after the multiple accident means the loss of an automobile heritage that is difficult to restore. Road safety personnel worked for hours to clear the road while images of the destroyed white Mercedes went viral among vintage car fan groups.
#Panamericana He had a $180,000 collector car, lost a wheel on the Pan-American Highway and was hit from behind while waiting for mechanical help. The vehicle was a Mercedes-Benz 230 SL Pagode that had been restored for five years and had left the workshop. pic.twitter.com/dH2ZDonTDX
— Facts and Law (@Hechosanderecho) December 28, 2025
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