Rare and exclusive cars often command exorbitant prices, especially when they bridge the gap between racing pedigree and road legality. The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR stands as a prime example, and recently, a Roadster version of this iconic vehicle fetched an astounding sum at auction, highlighting the immense value placed on automotive rarity and performance. At a recent RM Sotheby’s auction in Las Vegas, a 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster changed hands for a final price of $10,235,000, including buyer’s fees.
This particular CLK GTR Roadster is chassis number three of only six ever produced, making it an exceptionally scarce machine. Born from the homologation requirements for Mercedes-Benz’s participation in the fiercely competitive GT1 class of endurance racing, the CLK GTR is essentially a race car adapted for road use, with this Roadster variant taking exclusivity a step further by removing the roof. Remarkably, despite being over two decades old, this automotive gem has barely been driven, showing a mere 170 kilometers (105 miles) on its odometer, according to the official listing from RM Sotheby’s.
Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster – Photo credit: RM Sotheby
The genesis of the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR can be traced back to the late 1990s when Mercedes sought to dominate the GT1 racing category. Although the GT1 class was discontinued in 1999, Mercedes-Benz honored commitments to build a limited run of road-going homologation specials for eager buyers. Initially, the plan was to produce 25 coupe versions, but ultimately, only 20 coupes were completed, alongside a single prototype roadster. Adding to the Roadster lineage, HWA, the motorsport engineering firm established by AMG co-founder Hans-Werner Aufrecht, constructed an additional five roadster examples in the early 2000s, utilizing remaining chassis components.
The racing iteration of the CLK GTR proved incredibly successful in the 1997 and 1998 FIA GT seasons. The Mercedes-AMG team achieved an impressive record, securing 17 victories out of 22 races and clinching both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships in both years, solidifying its racing legacy.
Interestingly, the CLK GTR Roadster boasts even greater potency than its racing and coupe counterparts. It is equipped with the most advanced version of the V-12 engine found across the CLK GTR range. This naturally aspirated V-12 engine, displacing 6.9 liters, generates 622 horsepower in the Roadster, a step up from the 592 horsepower produced by the coupe version. The race car, constrained by regulations such as air restrictor requirements and a smaller 6.0-liter displacement, produced even less power. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a 6-speed sequential transaxle gearbox.
While the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR price of over $10 million is significant, it wasn’t the highest Mercedes to sell at the RM Sotheby’s Las Vegas auction. That distinction belonged to a 2013 Mercedes Formula 1 car, driven by Lewis Hamilton to his first victory for Mercedes at the 2013 Hungarian Grand Prix, which sold for a staggering $18,815,000. However, the CLK GTR Roadster’s multi-million dollar price tag firmly establishes its place as one of the most valuable and sought-after Mercedes-Benz vehicles, reflecting its rarity, racing pedigree, and exceptional performance.
