From initial sketches to Bernd Schneider’s first scorching lap at Jarama in April 1997, the Mercedes-Benz Sportabteilung, in collaboration with its motorsport partners, achieved the unthinkable: crafting the formidable CLK GTR in a mere 128 days. This wasn’t just a new racing sports car; it was a championship-caliber machine destined for immediate glory, a true testament to German engineering prowess.
The Mercedes Benz Clk Gtr Coupe sent shockwaves through the motorsport world. Its dominance was so absolute that it inadvertently led to the restructuring of the very racing series it was designed to conquer. More than just a victor, the CLK GTR was, and remains, an engineering marvel, a benchmark in modern racing sports car design, revered by enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Alongside the McLaren F1 and Porsche 911 GT1, the Mercedes Benz CLK GTR Coupe forms the celebrated “GT1 Trinity.” These three titans of automotive engineering, born of the FIA GT1 era, represent the zenith of late 1990s racing sports car development. Among this legendary trio, the CLK GTR stands out as the most fiercely untamed, the most overtly racing-focused, and arguably the most exclusive. This aura of exclusivity is cemented by its utter domination on the track, securing consecutive FIA GT1 Championships in 1997 and 1998, leaving its rivals trailing in its wake.
When Mercedes-Benz unleashed the road-going “Strassenversion” of the CLK GTR Coupe, its staggering price tag, exceeding $1.5 million, did little to deter the discerning clientele. AMG had initially planned for 300 potential buyers for the FIA-mandated 25 homologation models. Ultimately, only 20 Mercedes Benz CLK GTR Coupes were meticulously hand-built by HWA AG and AMG’s Special Vehicle Construction Office between 1998 and 1999. Today, these two-door coupes are unequivocally among the most coveted automobiles globally, judged by virtually every measure of automotive desire. Perhaps only the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe can rival the CLK GTR’s claim to being the quintessential “Silver Arrow” for the road.
FROM RACETRACK TO ROAD: THE CLK GTR STRASSENVERSION
In a strategic approach that inverted McLaren’s homologation process for the iconic F1, AMG embarked on homologating the Mercedes Benz CLK GTR Coupe by essentially creating road-legal versions of their race cars, rather than adapting a road car for racing.
Engineered in parallel with its racing sibling and sharing a significant number of components, the CLK GTR’s chassis is a masterpiece of lightweight construction. It features a central carbon-fiber composite monocoque, clothed in carbon-fiber body panels, and employs a stressed-member powertrain design. This innovative approach integrates major components directly with the monocoque, enhancing rigidity and performance. The very first road-going Mercedes Benz CLK GTR Coupe was presented to the FIA on April 1, 1997, a mere six days before Mercedes-Benz works driver Bernd Schneider showcased its blistering pace by securing pole position and fastest lap in the CLK GTR’s debut race at the Hockenheimring.
Production of the twenty customer-bound Mercedes Benz CLK GTR Coupes commenced in the summer of 1998, more than a year after the model had already clinched its first FIA GT1 Championship title. The modifications from the race car to the Strassenversion were surprisingly minimal. Air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, sumptuous leather upholstery, an integrated rear wing, cabin insulation, and a pair of discreet luggage pockets constituted the most notable additions to these road-going marvels. However, crucially, the customer cars were equipped with a distinct engine: the formidable 623-horsepower, 6.9-liter naturally-aspirated M297 V-12. This engine has since gained further acclaim as the powerhouse behind multiple generations of Pagani supercars, solidifying its legendary status.
Unlike the more road-car-derived McLaren F1 and Porsche 911 GT1, the Mercedes Benz CLK GTR Coupe delivers an authentic race car experience on public roads. Gear changes are executed with lightning speed, courtesy of a paddle-operated six-speed sequential manual gearbox, directly derived from the GT1 racing cars. The car’s mid-mounted 6.9-liter V-12 engine, a stressed structural element of the chassis, is positioned directly behind the driver, producing an intoxicatingly raw and menacing engine note that is pure motorsport theatre.
SPOTLIGHT ON A LEGEND: THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS CLK GTR COUPE – CHASSIS #07
This particular Mercedes Benz CLK GTR Coupe, chassis number 07, completed its assembly at HWA AG on April 27, 1999, stands as a particularly noteworthy example. Its color scheme is deeply rooted in Mercedes-Benz’s illustrious racing heritage. The exterior is finished in the classic Iridium Silver Metallic (paint code 775), the company’s official racing color. Inside, the competition-inspired cockpit is trimmed in a striking blue-gray tartan gabardine fabric, a direct homage to the 1955 Mille Miglia-winning 300 SLR race car driven by Sir Stirling Moss and navigated by Denis Jenkinson. Intriguingly, only two other CLK GTR Coupes are known to feature this distinctive and fashionable upholstery.
Mercedes Benz CLK GTR Coupe number 07 was initially delivered to Switzerland on May 12, 1999, and registered in St. Gallen as “SG 110706.” It remained in Switzerland with its original owner, enjoying occasional use, until November 2010. Subsequently, it was carefully preserved within a private German collection until 2017, before being acquired by its previous owner through marque specialists Kienle Automotive. At the time of this acquisition, the odometer displayed a mere 6,376 kilometers (3,961 miles).
Prior to taking delivery, the previous owner commissioned a comprehensive service by SPS Automotive, a renowned motorsports firm based in Willsbach, Germany, founded by former HWA AG employees. This meticulous service included the replacement of the fuel bladder, a new fire extinguisher, and a bespoke set of custom OZ alloy wheels.
Following this extensive service, Mercedes Benz CLK GTR Coupe number 07 was imported to the United States in October 2017 and federally homologated for road use by JK Technologies. After five years in one of the world’s most prestigious private collections of modern racing sports cars, it was purchased by the current consignor in April 2021, with the odometer reading just 6,448 kilometers (4,006 miles) on its impressive 340-kph speedometer.
Upon acquisition, it was entrusted to DK Engineering for over $71,000 of mechanical servicing and several personalized refinements. These included modifications to the driver’s seat, headliner, and the fabrication of a custom sports exhaust system. A new fuel bladder was also installed at this time, ensuring peak performance and safety.
Since leaving DK Engineering’s care, Mercedes Benz CLK GTR Coupe number 07 has been actively enjoyed, regularly driven, and prominently showcased from the consignor’s exceptional collection of limited-production supercars. Notable appearances include highly acclaimed showings at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and Lime Rock Historics, further cementing its status among automotive connoisseurs.
However, Mercedes Benz CLK GTR Coupe number 07’s most significant claim to fame, beyond its impeccable provenance and meticulously documented history, is its undeniable status as the most widely recognized example of this ultra-exclusive model. This recognition stems from its starring role in Carfection Films’ stellar 2021 “Ultimate Group Test” video series, where it was featured alongside the McLaren F1 chassis 037 and Porsche 911 GT1 chassis 005. To date, this video series has garnered nearly 3 million views on YouTube, and its content was also extensively featured in Octane magazine, bringing the CLK GTR Coupe to a vast global audience.
Presented today with fewer than 7,015 kilometers (4,358 miles) at the time of cataloging, this exceptional Mercedes Benz CLK GTR Coupe is offered for sale with all original accessories. These include three original AMG “Elephants feet” wheel chocks, owner’s manuals, and a serialized charger and luggage set, enhancing its collector appeal.
While Mercedes Benz CLK GTR Coupe number 07 is currently fitted with larger, custom OZ light alloy wheels and tires commissioned by SPS, its original wheels and factory exhaust system, which was fitted during its federalization, are included in the sale. A comprehensive folio of service invoices from DK Engineering, JK Technologies, and SPS Automotive further documents its meticulous care and maintenance.
The Mercedes Benz CLK GTR Coupe represents perhaps the closest a road-going Mercedes-Benz production car will ever come to its race-bred sibling. Its performance figures remain breathtaking, and this extraordinary example is offered for sale as HWA AG commemorates its 25th Anniversary. The CLK GTR Coupe stands as the most significant creation in HWA AG’s celebrated history and a cornerstone in the long and proud lineage of Mercedes-Benz’s legendary “Silver Arrows.”
Considering its extreme rarity among German sports racing cars, the Mercedes Benz CLK GTR Coupe not only honors the esteemed traditions of homologated GT racing but has indelibly etched its place in automotive history as an instant classic among classics, a true embodiment of speed, exclusivity, and Mercedes-Benz’s relentless pursuit of engineering excellence.
