Last week in Las Vegas, a rare Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster crossed the auction block at a RM Sotheby’s sale, fetching a final price of $10,235,000. This particular car is highly sought after due to its rarity – it is one of just six examples built, with only 170 km (105 miles) on its odometer despite being two decades old.
The CLK GTR, originally built around the turn of the century, was part of a homologation deal required of Mercedes-Benz when it set out to compete in the GT1 class in top-level endurance racing. The class was ultimately discontinued in 1999, but Mercedes-Benz had made promises to those who had already invested in the homologation specials, like the CLK GTR. The plan was to build 25 coupe versions, but only 20 were built, plus an extra roadster. However, HWA, the motorsports outfit founded by AMG co-founder Hans-Werner Aufrech after the sale of AMG to Mercedes in 1999, built five more roadster examples in the early 2000s using leftover chassis.
The full racing version of the CLK GTR competed in both the 1997 and 1998 FIA GT seasons and saw great success, taking home wins in 17 of the 22 races it participated in and securing both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships in both seasons.
The CLK GTR Roadster, on the other hand, was even more potent than its racing counterpart. It featured the latest evolution of the V-12 engine, boasting a displacement of 6.9 liters and delivering 622 hp, an improvement over the 592 hp of the coupe and much more than the race car’s output due to regulations such as air restrictor requirements and a smaller displacement. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed sequential transaxle.
The CLK GTR Roadster wasn’t the most expensive Mercedes sold at the RM Sotheby’s sale. That title went to a 2013 Mercedes Formula 1 race car driven by Lewis Hamilton to his first victory at Mercedes in the 2013 Hungarian Grand Prix, which sold for a whopping $18,815,000.
This CLK GTR Roadster, car number three of six, is essentially a race car for the road with its roof chopped off. And like most rare cars, it has barely been driven, making it an incredibly unique and desirable piece for any car enthusiast or collector. The car’s rarity and limited production, combined with its impressive history and performance, make it a valuable asset for any automobile connoisseur. With only six of these extraordinary vehicles in existence, it’s no wonder that it commanded such a high price at auction.
Overall, the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster is a remarkable vehicle with a rich racing pedigree and exceptional performance capabilities, making it a highly sought-after and prized collectible for car enthusiasts and collectors alike. Its rarity, limited production, racing history, and remarkable performance make it a valuable and intriguing investment for any passionate automobile collector. It comes as no surprise that such a vehicle would demand such an exorbitant price at auction, and it serves as a testament to the car’s extraordinary appeal and desirability.
