The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR stands as a monumental achievement in automotive engineering, a direct descendant of the fiery battles of the FIA GT Championship. Born from a need to homologate a race car for the road, the CLK GTR transcended its regulatory origins to become one of the most sought-after and extreme supercars ever created. For discerning collectors and enthusiasts seeking the pinnacle of performance and rarity, the prospect of a Mercedes Clk Gtr For Sale represents an unparalleled opportunity to acquire a true legend.
To fully appreciate the significance of a Mercedes CLK GTR for sale, it’s essential to understand its remarkable lineage. The story begins with AMG, a name synonymous with Mercedes-Benz performance.
The Genesis of AMG and the CLK GTR
AMG’s journey started in the late 1960s, founded by former Mercedes engineers Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher. Their initial focus was on tuning and enhancing Mercedes-Benz engines, quickly gaining recognition in motorsports, particularly in the European Touring Car Championship. This expertise and success forged a closer relationship with Mercedes-Benz, evolving from aftermarket tuning to an official partnership.
The 1988 DTM season marked a significant milestone with the Mercedes-Benz AMG team and their sensational W201 touring race cars. AMG’s importance to Mercedes grew exponentially, culminating in the acquisition of AMG and the production of the AMG 190 E 3.2 road car. This high-performance sedan, priced like an S-Class, demonstrated AMG’s capability to blend luxury with exhilarating speed. This project laid the groundwork for the dominant C-Class DTM cars of the 1990s and signaled AMG’s entry into the realm of production sports car manufacturing.
By the mid-1990s, a resurgence of interest in homologated GT racing emerged, championed by manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. This movement led to the creation of the FIA GT Championship in 1997. Mercedes-AMG, eager to compete in the top-tier GT1 class, faced formidable rivals such as the Porsche 911 GT1 and the McLaren F1 GTR. This era of FIA GT racing became a thrilling contest among Germany’s automotive giants. FIA regulations mandated that to participate, each manufacturer had to produce at least 25 road-legal versions of their GT1 race cars. These limited-production homologation specials instantly became highly coveted collectibles.
Engineering Marvel: Designing a Road-Going Race Car
The challenge for AMG was immense: design, build, and test both a competitive race car and its road-going counterpart within a mere four months, with the ambitious goal of winning the FIA GT Championship. Starting with traditional pencil and paper sketches, the design process quickly transitioned to Computer-Aided Design (CAD) for refinement, culminating in 1:5 scale clay models. Simultaneously, AMG engineers began rigorous testing of the proposed 6.9-liter V-12 engine for the CLK GTR in early 1997.
While AMG was pushing boundaries with the CLK GTR, Mercedes-Benz was also making waves in other motorsports arenas. In March 1997, the American CART series commenced, and the McLaren-Mercedes MP4/12 made a victorious debut at the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Melbourne, marking the Silver Arrows’ first F1 win since 1955.
However, the CLK GTR project remained AMG’s most ambitious undertaking. In an astonishingly short 128 days from initial sketch to track debut, the first CLK GTR prototype was tested in Spain. Veteran driver Bernd Schneider and young talent Alexander Wurz conducted successful tests. Norbert Haug, witnessing the progress, immediately contacted Hans-Werner Aufrecht from the Brazilian Grand Prix pits. Aufrecht, downplaying the achievement with a grin, simply stated, “Er fährt . . . sieht gut aus” (“It runs . . . and looks good.”). The Mercedes board promptly gave the project the green light.
Racing Pedigree and Success
The CLK GTR exceeded expectations. Within just four months, AMG delivered two race-ready cars and the first homologated road version. The road car was presented to FIA Head of Constructors Gabriel Katringer on April 1, 1997, just days before the race cars debuted at the Hockenheimring. In its maiden race, Bernd Schneider secured pole position and fastest lap. The CLK GTR dominated the season, achieving victories at the A-1 Ring, Suzuka, Donington, Sebring, and Laguna Seca, clinching the team championship and the Drivers’ Championship for Schneider.
In 1998, the CLK GTR saw less track time as it was superseded by the CLK LM, designed for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Le Mans regulations necessitated modifications, including replacing the race-proven M120 V-12 with the M119 V-8, surprisingly producing similar horsepower and deemed better for endurance racing. Aerodynamic changes included a lower roofline, nose, and redesigned air intakes. Despite these changes, both CLK LMs retired early at Le Mans due to engine failure.
AMG refocused on the FIA GT series, achieving six 1-2 finishes and securing both team and Drivers’ Championships again, this time with Ricardo Zonta and Klaus Ludwig. The FIA GT1 class was discontinued in 1999 due to lack of competitor interest, leading Mercedes to develop the CLR, a car inspired by the CLK GTR but without homologation restrictions.
The Rarity and Allure of the CLK GTR Road Car
While McLaren adapted their existing F1 road car for GT1 racing, AMG took the opposite approach, creating a GT1 race car and then producing road-legal versions. To meet FIA homologation, Mercedes built 25 CLK GTR road cars, typically finished in silver, the traditional German racing color. Each car was meticulously hand-built in Affalterbach, with minimal concessions to luxury, ensuring owners received a car as close to the race version as possible. Practical additions included air conditioning, an anti-lock braking system, small storage compartments in the doors, and leather-trimmed interior. Aerodynamic modifications were subtle, refining the rear wing and front air dam for road use.
Driving the CLK GTR road car was an experience akin to piloting a race car on public roads. The paddle-operated six-speed sequential manual gearbox, directly from the GT1 car, provided lightning-fast gear changes. The mid-mounted 6.9-liter V-12 engine delivered a raw and visceral soundtrack. Apart from the headlights and taillights, the CLK GTR shared little with the standard Mercedes-Benz CLK coupe of the time.
CLK GTR 09/25: An Example of Automotive History
CLK GTR number 09 of 25, with only 20 coupes produced, exemplifies the rarity and desirability of these machines. Originally delivered to Hermann Eschmann in Germany, it was later sold and exported to Hong Kong, residing in a private collection for 12 years before being imported to the U.S. in 2017. Prior to import, marque expert Marc Kienle inspected the car, confirming its originality, including the body, engine, and drivetrain, and original factory paint. It comes with its original carbon fiber belly panel, replaced with an aftermarket one for protection during transport. At the time of inspection, it had only 1,439 original kilometers and had just received a service including a new fuel bladder and filters.
Imported under the “Show or Display” exemption, J.K. Technologies completed the necessary federalization procedures in 2018, with records and invoices included. The car retains its original AMG SPS tool chest, owner’s manuals (in German and English), service booklets, spare keys, and first aid kit. It also includes the original air compressor, hazard triangle, and torque wrench.
The Mercedes CLK GTR represents the closest experience to driving a race car on the road. Its performance is breathtaking, and its exclusivity is undeniable. As one of the rarest and most significant German sports racing cars ever produced, it embodies the spirit of homologated GT racing and stands as a true automotive icon. For serious collectors, a Mercedes CLK GTR for sale is not just an acquisition; it’s an opportunity to own a tangible piece of motorsport history and automotive artistry. Keep an eye on reputable classic car auction houses and dealers specializing in ultra-rare vehicles for potential Mercedes CLK GTR for sale listings.
