1998 Mercedes Benz CLK GTR
Mercedes-Benz had to build and sell at least 25 vehicles to get the FIA homologation number for the CLK GTR AMG, and the road version was more of a dressed-up race car.
Only a street car in the loosest sense of the word, the CLK-GTR is nearly identical to its pure racing counterpart, which dominated the GT1 class at Le Mans so thoroughly that after a few wins no competitor wished to challenge it. As part of GT1 rules, Mercedes was forced to produce 25 road cars for homologation. Rather unbelievably, the road car (straßenversion) makes only a few minor concessions to streetability, like the taillights from the CLK it shares its name with (but little else), and slightly softer and taller suspension–although trying to get over a speedbump is still a risky proposition.
The CLK-GTR was powered by a V12 mid-engine delivering a total of 612 HP and 731 NM of torque. The supercar had a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 198 mph.
The series’ requirements meant at least 25 road car versions of the racing car had to exist, so AMG and Merc set about barely sanitising the machine that – in 1997 – won six of 11 FIA GT rounds and took the championship. A road version of the machine that – in 1998 – won everything. Every. Single. Race.
The rarity in question is a 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR. While its name is quite the mouthful, this high-octane beast represents the pinnacle of German auto engineering and has quite the backstory.
After Mercedes-Benz had homologated their GT1 racecar with a single road-going coupe, they went the distance and had HWA build 25 more examples. HWA was the company Mercedes-Benz used to outsource their racing development. As such, the CLK GTR and all the Mercedes-Benz DTM cars were promoted and sold through HWA.
Inside the car was very well appointed with a bespoke instrument cluster, a leather clad steering wheel with integrated airbag, air conditioning, an audio system, adjustable pedals, four point seat belts and luggage pods with set of seven suitcases.
The road rocket has a top speed of 214 mph and can soar from a standstill to 62 mph in just 3.8 seconds. The car has the same wishbone suspension as its track twin but includes softer springs and dampers plus a higher ride height to make it more conducive to the streets.
