German Car Zone

HighestOfHigh · 09-24-2009, 09:39 AM

Supercars like the SLS AMG and SL65 AMG Black Series might be the flagships for the current Mercedes-Benz lineup, but back in the late 1990s it was all about the CLK GTR -- an all-out race car slightly disguised as a road car. The street version you see here was built to homologate the race car that competed in the FIA's GT1 class in 1997 and 1998 (wining the championship in 1997). Each came with a 6.9-liter V12 putting out 612 horsepower as well as features found on modern supercars like a sequential six-speed transmission with paddle shifters and carbon fiber brakes. Just 25 examples were built including five roadsters, making the CLK GTR one of the most exclusive supercars ever built.

It's for this reason that the auction of two CLK GTR road cars immediately caught our attention. Both will be offered at RM Auction's Automobiles of London sale on October 28. One coupe and one roadster will go across the block, each completely brand new and unregistered with delivery miles only. Interestingly, both cars are right hand drive, custom built for the original owner. RM lists the estimated price for each CLK GTR at around 1/3 the original cost to build the cars, meaning some lucky collector might take home a supercar for a bargain. Follow the jump for more details about both cars, or check out the stunning high-resolution gallery below.

- Pair of Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR road cars to be auctioned by RM in London — Autoblog

HighestOfHigh · 09-24-2009, 09:42 AM

VEHICLE DESCRIPTIONS COURTESY RM AUCTIONS:

2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Coupe

Estimate:
£370,000-£390,000
612 bhp, 6,898 cc naturally-aspirated V12 engine with dual overhead camshafts, six-speed sequential manual gearbox with paddle-shift operation, independent front and rear suspension with double wishbones, pushrod-actuated coil springs and shock absorbers, and four-wheel ventilated, anti-lock carbon-fibre disc brakes. Wheelbase: 105.1"

Of the 25 homologated CLK GTRs built for road use, the first 20 were Coupés like their racing counterparts. As evidenced by its commemorative sill-mounted plaque, this particular car is the 13th in the series. Official documentation from HWA confirms this to be the only right hand drive CLK GTR coupé ever built. It was specially constructed for a prominent collector and sold new for €1 million according to the same documentation. What's more, the car has never been road registered is now offered with delivery mileage only, amounting to 25 kms from new. Completed in January 2005, the car is essentially brand new, finished in the typical German racing colour, silver. The interior features plaid upholstery reminiscent of the sporting silver arrows and Mercedes racing cars of decades past.

The CLK GTR is without a doubt the closest a road going car will ever come to its race-ready sibling. Its performance figures are downright mind-blowing; surely even Steve McQueen would have pulled over on the Mulsanne straight. Considering its status as one of the rarest German sports racing cars ever produced, it holds true to the valued traditions of homologated GT racing and, in spite of its 21st century technology, has solidified its place in history as a classic among classics.

2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster

Estimate: £430,000-£500,000

612 bhp, 6,898 cc naturally-aspirated V12 engine with dual overhead camshafts, six-speed sequential manual gearbox with paddle-shift operation, independent front and rear suspension with double wishbones, pushrod-actuated coil springs and shock absorbers, and four-wheel ventilated, anti-lock carbon-fibre disc brakes. Wheelbase: 105.1"

Of the 25 road going CLK GTRs built to meet FIA requirements, just five examples were equipped with the stunning roadster body of the example presented here. These roadsters were built by HWA, a sister company to AMG, which has been involved in Mercedes' cutting-edge racing development and DTM projects since the late 1960s. In fact, HWA are the initials of the company's president and AMG co-founder Hans-Werner Aufrecht.

The Roadster variants they built of the CLK GTR are virtually identical to the Coupés, with the exception of a removable top panel and integrated roll bar. The example presented here is number 2 in the series and, as confirmed by official HWA documentation, is the only right hand drive CLK GTR Roadster. Its colour combination is striking indeed, and like its coupé sibling, the car is virtually brand new; it was completed in August 2006 for a prominent collector, has accumulated just 34 delivery kms from new and has never been road registered. The same documentation further confirms this car cost a staggering €1.3 million, which makes its offering today a very attractive proposition indeed.

- Pair of Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR road cars to be auctioned by RM in London — Autoblog

Merc1 · 09-24-2009, 03:50 PM

Legendary isn't big enough word for this Benz. WOW.

M

cawimmer430 · 09-25-2009, 04:03 PM

Actually, this is really one of those Mercedes' that people have literally "forgotten about". At least that's how I see it.

Other Mercedes' that fall into this same category are the W116 S-Class and C107 SLC among others.

The CLK-GTR was one of my childhood dreamcars, still is. Love the original C208 CLK and the CLK-GTR was no different - it just looked more badass.

NarutoRamen · 09-25-2009, 04:09 PM

I'm putting in my bid for $10,000,000 per car.

With Monopoly Money!!!

Sunny · 09-25-2009, 04:18 PM

Now these will be true classics - racing pedigree and extremely rare.

Tarek · 09-25-2009, 05:28 PM

Respect.

MoSs AMG · 09-25-2009, 06:17 PM

this is the car that made me respect mercedes benz even more! it was my dream car! i still want one even tho its impossible loool

Merc1 · 09-25-2009, 06:20 PM

I didn't know there were only 5 roadsters built. WOW.

M

NarutoRamen · 09-25-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merc1

I didn't know there were only 5 roadsters built. WOW.

M

If Ralph Lauren doesn't already own one, I'm sure this is his chance.

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