From a mere sketch to roaring onto the Jarama circuit in the hands of Bernd Schneider, the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR was born in an astonishing 128 days. This wasn’t just any car; it was a statement, a brand-new racing sports car engineered by Mercedes-Benz Sportabteilung and its motorsport partners to conquer championships from its inception. For enthusiasts searching for a Mercedes Clk Sport For Sale, understanding the legacy of the CLK GTR reveals the pinnacle of Mercedes-Benz’s sporting heritage.
The dominance of the CLK GTR sent shockwaves through the motorsport world. Beyond expectations, it reigned supreme, inadvertently leading to the restructuring of the very racing series it was designed for. Its engineering brilliance remains undisputed, cementing its status as an icon of modern racing sportscar design. Alongside the McLaren F1 and Porsche 911 GT1, the CLK GTR forms the revered “GT1 Trinity,” a trio of contemporaneous rivals that defined the FIA GT1 class and represented the zenith of late-1990s racing sportscar innovation. Among these legends, the CLK GTR stands out as the most exclusive and untamed, a reputation solidified by its consecutive FIA GT1 Championship victories in 1997 and 1998.
In its road-legal “Strassenversion,” the CLK GTR commanded a world-record price tag exceeding $1.5 million. Yet, this did little to deter the select group of around 300 individuals who vied for the mere 25 homologation examples AMG was required to produce for FIA regulations. Ultimately, only 20 CLK GTR Coupes were meticulously crafted by HWA AG and AMG’s Special Vehicle Construction Office between 1998 and 1999. Today, these examples are universally recognized as some of the most coveted automobiles globally, representing the ultimate aspiration for collectors across every niche. Perhaps only the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe can rival the CLK GTR’s claim to be the quintessential “Silver Arrow” for the road.
FROM RACE CAR TO ROAD CAR
In a strategic contrast to McLaren’s approach with the F1 supercar, AMG embarked on homologating the CLK GTR by essentially creating road-going race cars, stripped of little from their track-focused siblings. The CLK GTR’s design was concurrent with its racing counterpart, sharing a multitude of components. Its monocoque chassis is built around a central carbon-fiber composite tub, adorned with carbon-fiber body panels and a stressed-member powertrain design, integrating all major components directly with the tub. The inaugural road-legal CLK GTR was presented to the FIA on April 1, 1997, a mere six days before Mercedes-Benz works driver Bernd Schneider secured pole position and fastest lap honors in the CLK GTR’s debut race at Hockenheimring.
Production of the twenty CLK GTR Coupe customer cars commenced in the summer of 1998, over a year after the model had already clinched its first FIA GT1 Championship. The modifications from the race cars were minimal. Air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, leather upholstery, an integrated rear wing, cabin insulation, and a pair of luggage pockets were among the most notable additions to these Strassenversionen. However, crucially, the customer cars received a unique engine: the 623-horsepower, 6.9-liter naturally-aspirated M297 V-12. This engine has since gained further acclaim as the powerhouse behind multiple generations of Pagani automobiles, adding to the CLK GTR’s legendary status, especially for those interested in a high-performance Mercedes CLK sport for sale.
Unlike the McLaren F1 and Porsche 911 GT1, the CLK GTR delivers an authentic race car experience on public roads. Gear changes are executed with lightning speed, thanks to a paddle-operated six-speed sequential manual gearbox directly inherited from the GT1 race cars. The mid-mounted 6.9-liter V-12 engine, a stressed component of the chassis, is positioned directly behind the driver, producing a raw and visceral soundtrack that underscores its racing DNA.
THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS CLK GTR
The CLK GTR featured here, chassis number seven, was completed by HWA AG on April 27, 1999. Its color scheme is a deliberate homage to Mercedes-Benz’s illustrious racing heritage. The exterior is coated in Iridium Silver Metallic (775), the company’s official racing color, while the competition-inspired cockpit is trimmed in blue-gray tartan gabardine fabric. This distinctive upholstery echoes the 1955 Mille Miglia-winning 300 SLR racecar driven by Sir Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson. Only two other GTR Coupes are known to share this fashionable interior detail, making this particular model even more unique and desirable for discerning collectors considering a Mercedes CLK sport for sale at the very high end of the market.
GTR number 07 was initially delivered to Switzerland on May 12, 1999, registered in St. Gallen as “SG 110706.” It remained in Switzerland with its original owner, used sparingly, until November 2010. Subsequently, it was part of a private German collection until 2017, before being acquired by its previous owner through marque specialists Kienle Automotive. At that point, the odometer read a mere 6,376 kilometers (3,961 miles).
Before taking possession, the previous owner entrusted the car to SPS Automotive, a renowned motorsports firm founded by former HWA AG employees in Willsbach, Germany. A comprehensive service was performed, including replacement of the fuel bladder, a new fire extinguisher, and a set of custom OZ alloy wheels.
Upon completion of this service, CLK GTR number 07 was imported to the United States in October 2017 and federalized for road use by JK Technologies. After five years in a premier private collection of modern racing sportscars, it was purchased by the current consignor in April 2021, with only 6,448 kilometers (4,006 miles) displayed on its impressive 340-kph speedometer.
Following acquisition, over $71,000 was invested at DK Engineering for further mechanical servicing and personalized refinements, including modifications to the driver’s seat, headliner, and the fabrication of a custom sports exhaust system. A new fuel bladder was also installed at this time.
Since being serviced by DK Engineering, CLK GTR number 07 has been actively enjoyed and prominently displayed by its owner. Highlights include acclaimed appearances at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and Lime Rock Historics.
However, CLK GTR number 07’s most significant claim to fame is its starring role in Carfection Films’ acclaimed 2021 “Ultimate Group Test” video series. Alongside McLaren F1 chassis 037 and Porsche 911 GT1 chassis 005, it captivated audiences worldwide. This video series has amassed nearly 3 million views on YouTube, and was extensively featured in Octane magazine, further cementing this car’s place in automotive pop culture.
Presented with fewer than 7,015 kilometers (4,358 miles) at the time of cataloging, this exceptional Mercedes-Benz homologation special is offered in superb condition, accompanied by all original accessories. These include three original AMG “Elephants feet,” manuals, and a serialized charger and luggage set.
Although CLK GTR number 07 is currently fitted with larger OZ light alloy wheels and tires commissioned by SPS, its original wheels and factory exhaust system (the system used during federalization) are included in the sale, along with a portfolio of service invoices from DK Engineering, JK Technologies, and SPS Automotive.
The CLK GTR Coupe is arguably the closest a road-legal Mercedes-Benz has ever come to its racing counterpart. Its performance is breathtaking, and this remarkable example is available at a time coinciding with HWA AG’s 25th Anniversary celebrations. The CLK GTR, of course, remains the most significant creation in the constructor’s celebrated history and a cornerstone of Mercedes-Benz’s legendary “Silver Arrow” lineage. For those captivated by the idea of a Mercedes CLK sport for sale, the CLK GTR represents the ultimate embodiment of performance, exclusivity, and racing pedigree translated for the road, a true classic among classics, and a testament to the enduring allure of homologated GT racing.
