The 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR Roadster stands as a monumental piece of automotive history, renowned for its extreme exclusivity and breathtaking performance. This particular model, boasting a mere 22 kilometers on the clock, is virtually untouched, residing within a distinguished private collection in Saudi Arabia. Its rarity is amplified by the fact that it is one of only six roadster versions ever brought into existence, solidifying its status as an exceptional feat of engineering and a direct descendant of one of the most celebrated GT race cars of the late 1990s.
The genesis of the CLK-GTR lies in Mercedes-Benz’s ambition to dominate the FIA GT Championship. Regulations stipulated that to compete, manufacturers had to produce street-legal versions of their GT1 race cars, bridging the gap between track and road. This homologation rule ensured that race cars were not merely prototypes but had roots in production models.
Mercedes-Benz met this requirement by creating 20 coupes and an exceedingly limited run of 6 roadsters. The coupe debuted first, in late 1998, while the roadster, with its open-top configuration, emerged later as an even more exclusive iteration of the already scarce CLK-GTR. Both variants mirrored their racing counterparts in their engineering DNA, with subtle modifications for road usability, such as a slightly raised ride height and the inclusion of comfort-oriented features.
Beneath the sculpted hood of the CLK-GTR Roadster resided a formidable 6.9-liter V12 engine. This powerplant, derived from the racing version, unleashed an astounding 612 horsepower. This immense power propelled the car from 0 to 60 mph in just over 3 seconds, reaching a top speed of approximately 208 mph. The CLK-GTR was unequivocally among the most potent and fastest automobiles of its era, delivering a raw, race-bred driving experience rarely paralleled by other road cars.
The Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR was originally conceived for the 1997 FIA GT Championship, where it immediately asserted its dominance. Equipped with a 6.0-liter V12 engine in its initial racing form and benefiting from sophisticated aerodynamics, the race-spec CLK-GTR clinched the championship title in its debut year. This victory underscored Mercedes’ prowess in the GT1 category. Remarkably, the car’s development was achieved in a mere 128 days, a testament to the engineering excellence of Mercedes-AMG. The CLK-GTR continued its reign in 1998, securing another FIA GT Championship, although it faced increased competition from rivals like Porsche and Toyota.
Following the FIA GT Championship’s discontinuation of the GT1 category after the 1998 season, Mercedes-Benz shifted its focus to the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, developing the Mercedes-Benz CLR. The CLR represented a refined evolution of the CLK-GTR, specifically engineered for the rigors of endurance racing. However, the CLR’s 1999 Le Mans campaign became infamous due to severe aerodynamic instability issues. The cars dramatically became airborne at high speeds during both practice sessions and the race itself, culminating in spectacular crashes. These incidents prompted Mercedes-Benz to withdraw from top-tier endurance racing for several years.
This particular CLK-GTR Roadster, with its incredibly low mileage of just 22 kilometers, represents a flawless example of the road-going embodiment of Mercedes’ GT1 racing heritage. The open-top configuration of the roadster variant elevates its rarity, adding another layer of exclusivity to what was already an exceptionally limited-production, high-performance supercar.
With its deep roots in racing history, the CLK-GTR Roadster firmly establishes itself as one of the most significant homologation cars ever created. The convergence of its extreme scarcity, direct lineage to a championship-winning race car, and its pristine, untouched condition makes it an immensely desirable collector’s item. To witness one of these vehicles in such immaculate condition is akin to stepping back into the golden era of GT1 racing, a true embodiment of automotive legend.
