The Mercedes Benz Amg Clk Gtr stands as a monumental achievement in automotive engineering and a testament to the thrilling era of 1990s GT racing. Born from the white-hot competition of the FIA GT Championship, this extraordinary machine seamlessly blended cutting-edge motorsport technology with the allure of a road-legal supercar. To truly understand the CLK GTR’s significance, we must journey back to the roots of AMG and the racing pedigree that paved its way.
Alt text: Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher, founders of AMG, standing beside a classic Mercedes-Benz engine, highlighting their expertise in Mercedes-Benz performance tuning.
AMG, or Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach, began as a vision of two former Mercedes-Benz engineers, Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher, in the late 1960s. Their passion was performance, and they dedicated themselves to enhancing Mercedes-Benz engines for both track and street. Based in Großaspach, near Stuttgart, their company rapidly gained recognition for its exceptional tuning capabilities and racing prowess, particularly in the demanding European Touring Car Championship. AMG’s reputation grew steadily as they demonstrated their ability to extract remarkable performance from Mercedes’ already robust engines.
This early success and growing reputation forged a stronger bond between AMG and Mercedes-Benz. Initially, their relationship was informal, with AMG acting as an aftermarket tuner for Mercedes vehicles, catering to a niche of performance-focused drivers. However, the motorsport successes of AMG started to turn heads within Mercedes-Benz, recognizing the brand-building potential of this high-performance partnership.
Alt text: The Mercedes-Benz AMG 190 E 3.2 sedan in motion on a racetrack, showcasing its sporty design and high-performance capabilities as an early example of AMG road cars.
The 1988 DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft) season marked a turning point. The Mercedes-Benz AMG team debuted the formidable W201 touring race cars, instantly elevating AMG’s profile within Mercedes-Benz. This increased visibility and the impressive performance of the AMG-tuned race cars led to a significant corporate shift: Mercedes-Benz acquired AMG. This acquisition solidified AMG’s position as the official high-performance arm of Mercedes-Benz, paving the way for the production of limited-edition road cars like the AMG 190 E 3.2. Priced like an S-Class at approximately $90,000, this compact sedan delivered exhilarating Autobahn speeds exceeding 250 km/h. This project was a precursor to the hugely successful C-Class DTM cars of the 1990s, which achieved an astounding 84 victories. This era marked the formal entry of AMG into the world of production sports car manufacturing, setting the stage for even more ambitious projects.
The Birth of a Legend: The CLK GTR Project
The mid-to-late 1990s witnessed a resurgence of interest from major German automotive manufacturers, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, in a high-stakes form of racing reminiscent of the classic Gran Turismo era. This ambition led to the creation of the FIA GT Championship in 1997. This new championship promised intense competition, and Mercedes-Benz AMG was determined to compete in the premier GT1 class. The challenge was immense: to go head-to-head with rivals like the formidable Porsche 911 GT1 and the BMW-powered McLaren F1. This GT1 category was essentially a battleground for Germany’s top three automotive giants. FIA GT regulations mandated that to participate, each manufacturer had to produce at least 25 homologated, road-legal versions of their GT1 race cars. These limited-production vehicles were instantly destined for collector status, becoming highly desirable automotive trophies.
Alt text: Original design sketches of the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, highlighting the initial pencil and paper approach followed by Computer-Aided Design for refining the vehicle’s aerodynamics and aesthetics.
AMG faced a herculean task. They had a mere four months to design, build, and rigorously test both a competitive race car and its road-going counterpart. The goal was not just participation; it was victory, and repeated victory. In an age increasingly dominated by digital design, the CLK GTR’s initial design phase began with traditional pencil and paper sketches. These initial concepts were then refined using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) to optimize performance and aerodynamics, before being translated into physical 1:5 scale clay models. Simultaneously, the engine development was already underway. AMG’s engineers began rigorous testing of the proposed 6.9-liter V-12 engine early in 1997, ensuring it would deliver the necessary power and reliability for both racing and road use.
1997 was a pivotal year for Mercedes-Benz motorsport. While the CLK GTR project was in full swing, Mercedes also launched its campaign in the American CART series and marked its return to Formula 1 with the McLaren-Mercedes MP4/12. The McLaren-Mercedes partnership began with immediate success as the MP4/12 won its debut race at the Australian Grand Prix, marking the first Silver Arrows Formula 1 victory since 1955 – a momentous occasion for Mercedes-Benz racing.
However, AMG was diligently working on what would become their most extraordinary creation. Working tirelessly around the clock, AMG mechanics and engineers pushed the boundaries of automotive engineering. Just 128 days after the first sketches were drawn, the very first Mercedes Benz AMG CLK GTR prototype took to the track for testing in Spain.
Experienced Mercedes veteran Bernd Schneider and rising star Alexander Wurz conducted the initial tests, achieving remarkably positive results. Norbert Haug, witnessing the Brazilian Grand Prix, immediately contacted Hans-Werner Aufrecht to inquire about the testing progress in Spain. Aufrecht, with characteristic understatement and a grin, reported, “Er fährt . . . sieht gut aus” – “It runs . . . and looks good.” This understated yet positive report was enough. The Mercedes board of directors gave the CLK GTR project the green light.
Racing Dominance and Road Car Debut
The Mercedes Benz AMG CLK GTR didn’t just run well; it dominated. Within an astonishing four months, AMG had produced not only two race-ready CLK GTRs but also the first homologated road version. There was immense anticipation for this machine, with 300 prospective buyers already on the waiting list. The first road-legal CLK GTR was presented to FIA Head of Constructors Gabriel Katringer on April 1st, 1997, just six days before its racing debut at the Hockenheimring in Germany. The race debut was spectacular. Bernd Schneider secured pole position in the CLK GTR’s very first race and also claimed the fastest lap. Despite a somewhat shaky start to the season, the CLK GTR quickly established its dominance, securing victories at the A-1 Ring, Suzuka, Donington, Sebring, and Laguna Seca. AMG clinched the team championship, and Schneider secured the Drivers’ Championship, marking a triumphant first season for the CLK GTR.
Alt text: The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR race car in action on the track, demonstrating its aerodynamic design and racing capabilities during a FIA GT Championship race.
For the 1998 season, the original CLK GTR saw limited track time. AMG was already developing its successor, the CLK LM, specifically designed for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Le Mans regulations and the unique demands of endurance racing necessitated modifications. Surprisingly, the race-proven M120 V-12 engine was replaced by a naturally aspirated M119 V-8. While unexpected, the V-8 produced similar horsepower and was believed to be better suited for the grueling demands of long-distance racing. Aerodynamic refinements included a lower roofline and nose, along with redesigned air intakes. However, the 1998 Le Mans race proved disappointing as both CLK LMs were forced to retire early due to engine failures.
Undeterred, AMG returned to the FIA GT series with the CLK LM, achieving remarkable success. They secured six 1-2 finishes and again won the team championship. Ricardo Zonta and seasoned Mercedes racing driver Klaus Ludwig shared the Drivers’ Championship title. In 1999, the FIA GT1 class was unfortunately cancelled due to a lack of competitor participation, primarily from Mercedes’ rivals. This cancellation prompted Mercedes to embark on a new project, the CLR, which drew heavily on the CLK GTR’s design but was no longer constrained by homologation rules.
FIA Homologation and the Road-Going Race Car
McLaren’s entry into the FIA GT1 class involved adapting their existing McLaren F1 road car for racing. AMG took the opposite approach with the CLK GTR. They started by designing an entirely new GT1 race car and then created road-legal variants that were essentially detuned race cars for the street.
Alt text: Interior view of the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR road version, highlighting the leather appointments, minimalist race-inspired cockpit, and air conditioning vents.
Following FIA regulations, Mercedes produced 25 examples of the CLK GTR road car, predominantly finished in traditional German racing silver. Each car was meticulously hand-built in Affalterbach with a focus on minimizing road-going concessions and maximizing the race car essence. Creature comforts were minimal. An air conditioning unit and an anti-lock braking system were added for practicality and safety. The lack of traditional trunk space was somewhat compensated by small storage compartments integrated into the upward-swinging doors. The interior was trimmed in leather to add a touch of refinement, but the overall focus remained on performance. Aerodynamic modifications from the race car were subtle on the road version. The rear wing was reshaped for a smoother integration with the body, and the front air dam was slightly redesigned.
Unlike the more road-car-derived McLaren F1, the Mercedes Benz AMG CLK GTR delivered a raw, race car experience on public roads. Gear changes were lightning-fast thanks to the paddle-operated six-speed sequential manual gearbox, directly derived from the GT1 race cars. The mid-mounted 6.9-liter V-12 engine, positioned directly behind the driver, produced an utterly visceral and menacing exhaust note. Apart from the familiar Mercedes four round headlamps and taillights, the CLK GTR shared little visually or technically with the concurrently produced Mercedes-Benz CLK passenger car.
CLK GTR 09/25: An Exemplary Specimen
CLK GTR chassis number 09/25 represents a particularly well-preserved example of this rare breed. Being the ninth of only 25 produced (and one of only 20 coupes), this car was originally delivered to Hermann Eschmann in Gummersbach, Germany. Eschmann owned the car until 2005 before it was sold and exported to Hong Kong, residing in a private collection for 12 years. In 2017, the current owner acquired the car and imported it to the United States.
Alt text: Front three-quarter view of the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR coupe, emphasizing its aggressive stance, wide body, and iconic Mercedes-Benz star emblem.
Prior to import, marque expert Marc Kienle of Kienle Automobiltechnik conducted a thorough inspection on March 29, 2017. His report confirmed that chassis number 09 remains entirely original, including its body, engine, and drivetrain. A comprehensive paint analysis confirmed the car retains its original factory-applied finish. While an aftermarket front belly panel was fitted, the original carbon fiber panel was retained and is included with the car. At the time of inspection, the car had only 1,439 original kilometers and had just received a service including a new fuel bladder and filters.
Imported to the U.S. under the Show or Display exemption in late 2017, the CLK GTR was entrusted to J.K. Technologies for import and federalization procedures, completed in April 2018. Records and invoices for this process are included with the car. The conversion work by J.K. Technologies remains under limited warranty for EPA and DOT compliance, as long as the car is used for display purposes and not raced or modified on public roads. J.K. Technologies has also offered assistance in transferring the Show or Display allowance to a new owner.
Included with CLK GTR 09/25 are its original AMG SPS tool chest, owner’s manuals and service booklets in both German and English, SPS service documentation, manual folio, original spare keys, and first aid kit. The car also retains its original air compressor and tanks, hazard triangle, and torque wrench.
In conclusion, the Mercedes Benz AMG CLK GTR is as close to a race car for the road as it gets. Its performance figures remain astounding even by today’s standards. As one of the rarest and most significant German sports racing cars ever produced, the CLK GTR embodies the spirit of homologated GT racing and has firmly secured its place as an instant classic, a true icon among automotive legends.
