RM Sotheby’s is set to host one of its most significant Mercedes-Benz auctions this year, featuring a 1999 CLK GTR Coupe and a 2002 CLK GTR Roadster — with a combined estimate as high as $22,000,000 USD.
These rare vehicles represent towering achievements in automotive design and engineering, symbols of a time when Mercedes-Benz reigned supreme in the GT1 racing class.
Notably, the 1999 CLK GTR Coupe, limited to only 20 examples, represents the pinnacle of Mercedes-Benz’s innovation — born out of a whirlwind 128-day development period, it won back-to-back FIA GT1 Championships in 1997 and 1998 and also played a part in the demise of the motorsport series it was designed for due to its overwhelming dominance.
For many enthusiasts, the vehicle represents a significant part of automotive history and is considered to be part of the “GT1 Trinity,” which includes the McLaren F1 and the Porsche 911 GT1.
The road-legal “Strassenversion” of this car boasts a world-record sticker price, reflecting its desirability. Its 6.9-liter V-12 engine, shared with Pagani models, offers an authentic race car experience matched with a few urban comforts like air conditioning and leather upholstery.
The specific Coupe up for auction is the seventh of its kind, finished in Iridium Silver Metallic and sporting a unique blue-gray tartan interior reminiscent of Mercedes-Benz’s 1955 Mille Miglia winner. Having traveled less than 4,358 miles, it is thought to be one of the best-preserved CLK GTRs, complete with original accessories and service records.
On the other hand, quite easily the star of the show is the 2002 CLK GTR Roadster an open-top example that is one of only six ever produced, making it an even rarer gem. With its roots derived from the CLK GTR that earned Mercedes-Benz two consecutive Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, the Roadster carries the same powerful V-12 engine as the Coupe but with an open-air twist that offers an unparalleled driving experience.
RM Sotheby’s shared that the Roadster up for grabs, chassis number 000034, has a beautifully maintained silver exterior with a black and grey leather interior. In terms of being driven, the vehicle is basically new, having clocked just over 100 miles on its odometer. Additionally, the vehicle comes with a full set of fitted luggage and owner’s manuals.
Notably, the sale coincides with HWA AG’s 25th-anniversary celebrations, further highlighting the CLK GTR’s importance to Mercedes-Benz’s storied legacy. The auction for both vehicles is set to take place in Las Vegas and online via RM Sotheby’s official site on Friday, November 17, with the 1999 CLK GTR Coupe expected to fetch as much as $9,000,000 USD and the 2002 Roadster as much as $13,000,000 USD.
Elsewhere in automotive, take a look at some of the best cars we saw at SEMA 2023.
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