The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK is more than just a car; it’s a statement of automotive prowess, born from the fiery crucible of motorsport and refined for the discerning driver. To truly understand the CLK GTR, one must first delve into the history of AMG, the performance division that breathed life into this legendary machine.
AMG’s story begins in the late 1960s, founded by former Mercedes engineers Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher. The name itself, AMG, is an acronym derived from Aufrecht, Melcher, and Grossaspach, the town near Stuttgart where their journey began. Initially, AMG operated as an independent entity, earning a stellar reputation for tuning and enhancing Mercedes-Benz engines. Their expertise quickly translated into motorsport success, particularly in the demanding European Touring Car Championship.
This informal yet impactful relationship with Mercedes-Benz evolved into a formal partnership. AMG’s aftermarket upgrades were highly sought after by performance enthusiasts, demonstrating a clear demand for high-performance Mercedes vehicles. By 1988, the relationship deepened further when the Mercedes-Benz AMG team was established for the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) season. They unleashed the formidable W201 touring race cars, further cementing AMG’s significance within the Mercedes-Benz world. This led to Mercedes-Benz acquiring AMG and initiating the production of limited-edition road cars, starting with the AMG 190 E 3.2. Priced like an S-Class but with Autobahn-conquering speeds exceeding 250 km/h, these sedans were a testament to AMG’s capabilities. This project paved the way for the hugely successful C-Class DTM cars of the 1990s, which achieved an astounding 84 victories. This marked the legendary entry of AMG into the realm of production sports car manufacturing.
However, the story of the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK truly takes flight in the mid-to-late 1990s. A resurgence of interest in ultra-exclusive, homologated racing emerged from both Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. This harkened back to the golden era of Gran Turismo racing, giving birth to the FIA GT Championship in 1997. Mercedes-Benz AMG, eager to compete at the highest level, entered the GT1 class, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown with rivals like the Porsche 911 GT1 and the BMW-powered McLaren F1. The FIA GT’s top tier became a battleground for Germany’s automotive giants. Crucially, FIA GT regulations stipulated that each manufacturer had to produce at least 25 homologated road-legal versions of their GT1 race cars. These limited-production vehicles instantly became highly desirable collectibles.
AMG faced a monumental challenge: design, build, and test both a competitive race car and its road-going counterpart within a mere four months, with the objective of not just participating, but dominating. In an era increasingly reliant on digital tools, the initial designs were sketched by hand, showcasing the fundamental nature of automotive artistry. These sketches were then refined using Computer Aided Design (CAD) before being translated into 1:5 scale clay models. Remarkably, by early 1997, the 6.9-liter V-12 engine destined for the CLK GTR, the heart of this beast, was already undergoing rigorous testing by AMG’s engineers.
The year 1997 was a whirlwind for AMG and Mercedes-Benz motorsport. Alongside the CLK GTR project, AMG was deeply involved in American CART racing and Formula 1, supplying engines to McLaren. The McLaren-Mercedes MP4/12 debuted and won the Australian Grand Prix, marking Mercedes’ return to Formula 1 victory for the first time since 1955 – a significant moment in itself.
Yet, AMG was focused on delivering something even more extraordinary. Working tirelessly, their mechanics pushed the boundaries of speed and engineering. Just 128 days after the initial sketches, the very first CLK GTR prototype roared onto the track in Spain for testing.
Mercedes veteran Bernd Schneider and rising star Alexander Wurz put the car through its paces, achieving overwhelmingly positive results. Norbert Haug, then head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, was so eager for updates that he called Hans-Werner Aufrecht directly from the Brazilian Grand Prix pits to inquire about the Spanish testing. Aufrecht, with characteristic understatement, reported, “Er fährt . . . sieht gut aus” (“It runs . . . and looks good.”). This understated report was enough; the CLK GTR project received full approval from the Mercedes-Benz board.
The CLK GTR surpassed all expectations. Within a mere four months, AMG delivered not just one, but two race-ready CLK GTRs and the first homologated road version. Incredible demand followed, with 300 prospective buyers lining up for a chance to own this piece of automotive history. The first road-legal CLK GTR was presented to FIA Head of Constructors Gabriel Katringer on April 1, 1997, just days before its racing debut at the Hockenheimring in Germany. The race debut was equally spectacular. Bernd Schneider secured pole position and fastest lap in the CLK GTR’s maiden race. Despite a somewhat uneven start to the season, the CLK GTR dominated the FIA GT Championship, securing victories at the A-1 Ring, Suzuka, Donington, Sebring, and Laguna Seca. AMG clinched the team championship, and Schneider took the Drivers’ Championship, a resounding success in its first year.
For 1998, the original CLK GTR saw limited track time as AMG shifted focus to its successor, the CLK LM, designed specifically for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Le Mans regulations and the endurance nature of the race necessitated modifications. Surprisingly, the race-proven M120 V-12 engine was replaced with a naturally aspirated M119 V-8. Despite being a V-8, it produced similar horsepower and was deemed more suitable for long-distance racing. Aerodynamic changes included a lower roofline and nose, and redesigned air intakes. However, the 1998 Le Mans race was not kind to the CLK LM, with both cars retiring early due to engine failures, a stark contrast to the CLK GTR’s initial success.
AMG refocused on the FIA GT series, undeterred. In 1998, the CLK LM achieved six 1-2 finishes, securing both the team and Drivers’ Championships (for Ricardo Zonta and Klaus Ludwig). However, by 1999, the FIA GT1 class was discontinued due to a lack of manufacturer interest beyond Mercedes-Benz. This prompted Mercedes-Benz to develop the CLK LR, a car inspired by the CLK GTR but no longer constrained by homologation rules.
The approach to homologation differed significantly between manufacturers in the FIA GT1 class. McLaren adapted its already exceptional McLaren F1 road car for racing. AMG, however, took the opposite approach. They engineered a completely new GT1 race car, and its homologated versions were essentially road-legal race cars, stripped of non-essential racing features but retaining the core performance DNA.
In compliance with FIA rules, Mercedes-Benz produced 25 CLK GTR road cars, most often finished in classic German racing silver. Each car was meticulously hand-built in Affalterbach, minimizing creature comforts to deliver an experience as close to the race car as legally and practically possible for the road. Air conditioning and an anti-lock braking system were added for a modicum of road usability and safety, positioned near the inboard suspension and radiator system at the front. Practicality was minimal; trunk space was almost non-existent, though two small storage compartments were integrated into the upward-swinging doors. The interior was trimmed in leather for a touch of refinement. Aerodynamic adjustments were subtle, with a reshaped rear wing and front air dam for smoother integration with the body.
Unlike the more forgiving McLaren F1, the CLK GTR road car retained the raw, uncompromising character of a race car. The paddle-operated six-speed sequential manual gearbox, directly derived from the GT1 racer, provided lightning-fast gear changes. The mid-mounted 6.9-liter V-12 engine, positioned directly behind the driver, unleashed a visceral and menacing exhaust note, a constant reminder of its racing pedigree. Visually, beyond the four round headlamps and distinctive taillights, the CLK GTR shared little with the standard Mercedes-Benz CLK passenger car introduced concurrently, underscoring its unique and specialized nature.
The example of the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK GTR highlighted in the original article, chassis 09/25, adds another layer to this incredible story. As the ninth of just 25 examples (20 coupes), it was initially delivered to Hermann Eschmann in Germany. It later resided in a Hong Kong collection for 12 years before being imported to the U.S. in 2017. Inspections by marque expert Marc Kienle confirmed its originality, including its factory body, engine, and drivetrain, and original factory paint finish. Even with minor aftermarket additions, the original components were preserved. With remarkably low mileage, this particular CLK GTR stands as a pristine example of this rare breed.
Owning a Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK GTR is possessing a tangible piece of racing history. Its performance figures remain astonishing even by today’s standards. As one of the rarest and most extreme German sports racing cars ever created, the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK GTR embodies the spirit of homologated GT racing and has firmly established itself as a timeless icon, a true classic among classics in the world of high-performance automobiles.
