The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK represents a pivotal chapter in the history of high-performance vehicles, born from a potent blend of racing pedigree and engineering mastery. To truly appreciate the CLK, it’s essential to delve into the origins of AMG and understand the journey that culminated in this iconic series.
AMG, an acronym derived from the surnames of its founders, Aufrecht and Melcher, and Aufrecht’s birthplace, Großaspach, began as an engine tuning and racing company in the late 1960s. Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher, former Mercedes-Benz engineers, shared a passion for extracting maximum performance from Mercedes engines. Their early endeavors focused on tuning and racing, quickly earning them respect within the European Touring Car Championship and among discerning Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts seeking enhanced performance.
This informal relationship with Mercedes-Benz, where AMG provided aftermarket upgrades, evolved into a formal partnership. By 1988, the collaboration reached a new height when the Mercedes-Benz AMG team entered the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) with the formidable W201 touring race cars. This marked a turning point, solidifying AMG’s importance to Mercedes-Benz. The subsequent acquisition of AMG by Mercedes-Benz paved the way for the production of limited-edition road cars like the AMG 190 E 3.2. These high-performance sedans, priced comparable to the S-Class, delivered Autobahn-crushing speeds exceeding 250 km/h, setting the stage for the legendary C-Class DTM cars that dominated the 1990s with an impressive 84 victories. This era marked AMG’s official entry into the realm of production sports car manufacturing, building upon a foundation of racing success and engineering excellence.
The mid-to-late 1990s witnessed a resurgence of interest in ultra-exclusive racing categories, reminiscent of the golden age of Gran Turismo racers. This led to the inception of the FIA GT Championship in 1997, generating immense excitement among manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. To compete in the premier GT1 class, Mercedes-Benz AMG had to face formidable rivals such as the Porsche 911 GT1 and the BMW-powered McLaren F1. This top tier of FIA GT racing became a battleground for Germany’s automotive giants. Crucially, FIA GT regulations mandated that each participating manufacturer produce at least 25 homologated road-legal versions of their GT1 race cars. These limited-production vehicles instantly became highly coveted collectibles, blending racing technology with road-going usability.
AMG faced a monumental challenge: to design, build, and rigorously test both a competitive race car and its road-legal counterpart within a mere four months, with the ambitious goal of achieving consistent victories. In an age of digital design, the initial concepts for the CLK GTR were sketched by hand, later refined using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and translated into 1:5 scale clay models. Simultaneously, AMG’s engineers were already subjecting the proposed 6.9-liter V-12 engine for the CLK GTR to intense testing, ensuring its reliability and performance under racing conditions.
1997 was a pivotal year for Mercedes-Benz motorsport. While the American CART series and the McLaren-Mercedes MP4/12 Formula 1 car (which secured a historic win at the Australian Grand Prix, marking Mercedes’ first Silver Arrows victory since 1955) were in full swing, AMG was working tirelessly on their most ambitious project yet. Just 128 days after the initial sketches, the first CLK GTR prototype took to the track in Spain for testing.
Mercedes veteran Bernd Schneider and rising star Alexander Wurz conducted the initial track 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, described the car’s performance as “Er fährt . . . sieht gut aus” – “It runs . . . and looks good.” This understated assessment was enough to secure the Mercedes board of directors’ approval for the project.
The CLK GTR exceeded all expectations. Within four months, AMG had produced two race-ready CLK GTRs and the first homologated road version. Remarkably, 300 prospective buyers were already on a waiting list, eager to own a piece of this racing legend. The first road-going CLK GTR was presented to FIA Head of Constructors Gabriel Katringer on April 1, 1997, just days before the race versions were set to debut at the Hockenheimring in Germany. The race debut was nothing short of spectacular. Bernd Schneider secured pole position and fastest lap in the CLK GTR’s maiden race. Despite a somewhat uneven start to the season, the CLK GTR dominated, achieving victories at the A-1 Ring, Suzuka, Donington, Sebring, and Laguna Seca. These victories secured the team championship for Affalterbach and the Drivers’ Championship for Schneider, cementing the CLK GTR’s place in racing history.
However, the CLK GTR’s racing career in its original form was relatively brief. For the 1998 season, it was superseded by the CLK LM, designed with the 24 Hours of Le Mans specifically in mind. Le Mans regulations necessitated modifications, including the replacement of the race-proven M120 V-12 engine with a naturally aspirated M119 V-8. Surprisingly, the V-8 produced comparable horsepower and was deemed more suitable for endurance racing. Aerodynamic refinements included a lower roofline and nose, along with redesigned air intakes. Unfortunately, despite these changes, both CLK LMs were forced to retire early in the 24 Hours of Le Mans due to engine failures.
AMG refocused on the FIA GT series, undeterred by the Le Mans setback. In 1998, the CLK LM achieved remarkable success in the FIA GT Championship, securing six 1-2 finishes and winning both the team and Drivers’ Championships (for Ricardo Zonta and Klaus Ludwig). By 1999, the FIA GT1 class was discontinued due to a lack of competitor interest, prompting Mercedes to develop the CLR, a car heavily influenced by the CLK GTR’s design but no longer constrained by homologation rules.
The FIA GT1 homologation requirements dictated different approaches from manufacturers. McLaren adapted their existing McLaren F1 road car for racing. In contrast, AMG adopted a radical approach, creating a completely new GT1 race car and then producing road-legal versions that were essentially detuned race cars for the street.
Adhering to FIA regulations, Mercedes-Benz produced 25 CLK GTRs, typically finished in classic German racing silver. Each car was meticulously assembled in Affalterbach, with minimal concessions to luxury to maintain its racing DNA. Features like air conditioning and an anti-lock braking system were added for road usability and safety. While trunk space was virtually nonexistent, small storage compartments under the gullwing doors offered a touch of practicality. Leather upholstery enhanced the interior, but the focus remained firmly on performance. Aerodynamic modifications for the road version were subtle, mainly involving a smoother rear wing and a redesigned front air dam.
Unlike the more road-car-derived McLaren F1, the CLK GTR delivered an authentic race car experience on public roads. The paddle-operated six-speed sequential manual gearbox, directly lifted from the GT1 race cars, provided lightning-fast gear changes. The mid-mounted 6.9-liter V-12 engine, positioned directly behind the driver, produced a visceral and menacing exhaust note. Visually, aside from the four round headlamps and taillights, the CLK GTR bore little resemblance to the standard Mercedes-Benz CLK passenger car introduced concurrently, underscoring its unique and extreme nature.
The CLK GTR example with chassis number 09/25, the ninth of only 25 built (20 coupes), exemplifies the rarity and exclusivity of these machines. Originally delivered to Hermann Eschmann in Germany, it later resided in Hong Kong for 12 years before being imported to the United States in 2017. Prior to import, marque expert Marc Kienle inspected the car in 2017, confirming its originality, including its body, engine, and drivetrain, and verifying its original factory paint. At the time of inspection, it had covered a mere 1,439 original kilometers.
Imported under the “Show or Display” exemption, CLK GTR 09/25 underwent federalization procedures by J.K. Technologies in 2018. It comes with its original AMG SPS tool chest, owner’s manuals, service booklets, spare keys, first aid kit, air compressor, hazard triangle, and torque wrench, highlighting its completeness and collector appeal.
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK GTR stands as a testament to homologated GT racing tradition, representing the closest possible experience to a race car for the road. Its breathtaking performance and extreme rarity have solidified its status as an instant classic, a true icon in the realm of German sports racing cars and a highlight in the illustrious history of Mercedes-AMG.
