The price of rare automobiles can reach staggering heights, especially for homologation specials – vehicles created to satisfy racing regulations, making them incredibly exclusive. A prime example is the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster, which recently commanded an astounding sum at an RM Sotheby’s auction in Las Vegas.
This exceptional car, chassis number three of only six ever produced, was sold for a final price of $10,235,000, inclusive of buyer’s fees. Essentially a racing car adapted for road use and then transformed into a roofless roadster, this CLK GTR has barely been driven, boasting a mere 170 kilometers (105 miles) on the odometer despite being over two decades old, as detailed in the official listing.
Silver Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster, a rare homologation special, sold for over million at RM Sotheby's Las Vegas auction
The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR’s origin story traces back to the late 1990s, conceived as a homologation requirement for Mercedes-Benz’s participation in the fiercely competitive GT1 class of endurance racing. Although the GT1 category was discontinued in 1999, Mercedes-Benz honored commitments to build these road-legal versions for a select clientele who were eager to own a piece of racing history.
Originally, the plan was to produce 25 coupe variants, but ultimately only 20 were completed, alongside a single roadster. Adding to the rarity, HWA, the motorsport engineering firm founded by AMG co-founder Hans-Werner Aufrecht after AMG’s sale to Mercedes in 1999, constructed an additional five roadsters in the early 2000s using remaining chassis components.
The racing iteration of the CLK GTR achieved significant motorsport success in the 1997 and 1998 FIA GT seasons. Over 22 races, the Mercedes-AMG team secured an impressive 17 victories, clinching both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships in both years. This racing pedigree undoubtedly contributes to the desirability and high price of the road-going versions.
Interestingly, the CLK GTR Roadster boasts even greater performance than both its racing counterpart and the coupe version. It features the most advanced iteration of the V-12 engine found in all CLK GTR models. In the roadster, this engine displaces 6.9 liters and generates 622 horsepower, a step up from the coupe’s 592 horsepower. Racing regulations, including air restrictor mandates and a smaller 6.0-liter displacement, meant the race car produced even less power. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a 6-speed sequential transaxle transmission.
While this CLK GTR Roadster commanded a significant price, it wasn’t the most expensive Mercedes-Benz sold at the recent RM Sotheby’s auction. That distinction belonged to a 2013 Mercedes Formula 1 race car, driven by Lewis Hamilton to his inaugural victory for Mercedes at the 2013 Hungarian Grand Prix. This F1 car achieved a staggering $18,815,000, including buyer’s premium, demonstrating the immense value placed on both racing heritage and extreme exclusivity in the collector car market. The Mercedes-Benz Clk Gtr Price, while lower than the F1 car, still firmly establishes it as one of the most valuable and sought-after vehicles in the world.
