Rare automobiles often command exorbitant prices, and homologation specials, those street-legal versions born from racing pedigree, can reach even more astronomical figures. A stunning example of this is the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster, which recently fetched a breathtaking sum at an RM Sotheby’s auction in Las Vegas. The final Mercedes Clk Gtr Price, including buyer’s fees, soared to a staggering $10,235,000.
This particular CLK GTR Roadster, chassis number three, is one of only six ever produced. It’s essentially a race car adapted for road use, albeit with its roof elegantly removed. Mirroring the exclusivity of many ultra-rare vehicles, this CLK GTR Roadster has barely been driven, boasting a mere 170 kilometers (105 miles) on the odometer despite being over two decades old, according to the official listing from RM Sotheby’s.
What Drives the Mercedes CLK GTR Price So High?
The CLK GTR’s origins lie in the fierce world of GT1 endurance racing at the turn of the century. Mercedes-Benz developed the car as a homologation requirement to compete in this premier class. Although the GT1 class was discontinued in 1999, Mercedes-Benz honored commitments to build these exclusive road-going versions for a select clientele.
Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster – Photo credit: RM Sotheby
Initially, Mercedes planned to produce 25 coupe versions, but ultimately crafted 20 coupes alongside a single roadster directly from the factory. Adding to the roadster lineage, HWA, the motorsport engineering firm founded by AMG co-founder Hans-Werner Aufrecht, constructed an additional five roadsters in the early 2000s using remaining chassis components.
The racing iteration of the CLK GTR dominated the 1997 and 1998 FIA GT seasons. In 22 races, the Mercedes-AMG team achieved an impressive 17 victories, securing both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships in both years, cementing its legendary status and contributing significantly to the mercedes clk gtr price in the collector car market.
Performance and Exclusivity Define the CLK GTR Roadster
The CLK GTR Roadster distinguishes itself even from its coupe and racing siblings with a more potent version of the V-12 engine found across the CLK GTR range. This naturally aspirated 6.9-liter V-12 engine generates 622 horsepower in the roadster configuration, a step up from the coupe’s 592 horsepower. The race car versions, constrained by regulations including air restrictors and a smaller 6.0-liter displacement, produced even less power. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a 6-speed sequential transaxle.
While the mercedes clk gtr price of this Roadster is exceptional, it wasn’t the highest Mercedes-Benz sale at the recent RM Sotheby’s auction. That distinction belonged to a 2013 Mercedes Formula 1 race car, driven by Lewis Hamilton to his first Mercedes victory at the 2013 Hungarian Grand Prix. This F1 car fetched an even greater price of $18,815,000, demonstrating the high value placed on both racing pedigree and open-top rarity in the world of collectible automobiles. The mercedes clk gtr price reflects not just a car, but a piece of motorsport history and automotive artistry.
