The Mercedes Benz Clk Gtr stands as a monumental achievement in automotive engineering and a testament to the golden era of GT1 racing. Born from the crucible of the FIA GT Championship, the CLK GTR is more than just a car; it’s a direct descendant of a championship-winning race car, transformed into a road-legal marvel. Among its already limited production, the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR Roadster represents the pinnacle of rarity and exclusivity, with a mere six examples ever crafted. This open-top variant, particularly one boasting incredibly low mileage such as the specimen from a private Saudi collection showing only 22 kilometers, embodies an untouched fragment of automotive history.
To fully appreciate the significance of the Mercedes Benz CLK GTR, one must understand its origins. In the late 1990s, Mercedes-Benz sought dominance in the FIA GT Championship. Regulations stipulated that GT1 race cars must be based on production vehicles, compelling manufacturers to produce at least 25 street-legal versions. Mercedes-AMG expertly navigated these rules, developing both the CLK-GTR race car and its road-going counterpart in an astonishingly brief 128 days.
Mercedes-Benz produced 20 coupes and an exceedingly rare six roadsters to satisfy homologation requirements. The roadster, introduced subsequently, amplified the CLK-GTR’s allure with its open-top design, offering a uniquely visceral driving experience compared to the already scarce coupe. Both variants retained the fundamental engineering of the race car, with subtle adaptations for road usability, including a slightly elevated ride height and the addition of comfort-oriented features.
Propelling the Mercedes Benz CLK GTR Roadster is a potent 6.9-liter V12 engine, derived from its racing sibling, generating a formidable 612 horsepower. This immense power translates to breathtaking performance, launching the car from 0 to 60 mph in just over 3 seconds and reaching a top speed of approximately 208 mph. During its era, the CLK-GTR stood among the fastest and most powerful automobiles globally, delivering an almost unadulterated race car experience on public roads, unmatched by few.
The race-specification Mercedes Benz CLK GTR debuted in the 1997 FIA GT Championship and immediately asserted its dominance, securing the championship title in its inaugural year thanks to its 6.0-liter V12 engine and sophisticated aerodynamics. It continued its championship streak in 1998, claiming another title. However, the subsequent cancellation of the GT1 category prompted Mercedes to redirect its focus towards the 24 Hours of Le Mans, leading to the development of the Mercedes-Benz CLR. While an evolution of the CLK-GTR, the CLR’s Le Mans campaign in 1999 is unfortunately marred by memories of aerodynamic instability issues and dramatic crashes, ultimately causing Mercedes’ withdrawal from top-tier endurance racing for a period.
The Mercedes Benz CLK GTR Roadster, particularly in pristine condition with negligible mileage, perfectly embodies the essence of GT1 racing homologation. Its extreme rarity, direct lineage to a championship-winning race car, and untouched condition render it an exceptionally coveted collector’s item. Encountering a CLK-GTR Roadster in such immaculate condition provides a remarkable portal back to the captivating epoch of GT1 racing and Mercedes-Benz’s unparalleled engineering capabilities.
