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© 2026 - Octane Automotive BV
© 2026 - Octane Automotive BV
In 1997 Mercedes-Benz officially returned to the FIA GT championships. To be allowed, it had to build 25 road-legal examples, a homologation requirement. The result was the CLK GTR, a race car that accidentally became a road car. Between 1998 and 1999, 20 Coupés and 6 Roadsters left the AMG factory in Affalterbach (plus a few examples with the later 7.3-litre V12 instead of the standard 6.9-litre). The CLK GTR is therefore one of the rarest modern Mercedes-Benz cars and the direct ancestor of what is today AMG GT, GT Black Series and AMG ONE culture. The car won the 1997 FIA GT Championship (Bernd Schneider) and stood on pole position at Le Mans 1998. The road version produces around 612 hp from the Mercedes-Benz M120 V12 and has a carbon monocoque chassis, both highly unusual for a Mercedes-Benz at the time.
The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR was developed to meet the homologation requirements of the FIA GT Championship, a series of race cars that competed against Porsche, McLaren, and other manufacturers. The FIA GT regulations required manufacturers to build a road-legal version of their race car to permit participation. For Mercedes-Benz this was a return to the highest level of factory motorsport since the C11/C291 Group C years in the early 1990s. Development was entrusted to AMG and its partner HWA (HWA AG, founded by AMG founder Hans Werner Aufrecht). The CLK-LM race car debuted in 1997 and dominated the FIA GT Championship: Mercedes-Benz won both the 1997 and 1998 titles.
The road-legal CLK GTR was produced from 1997, with delivery to first owners in 1998 and 1999. The 25 coupés (chassis numbers 1-25) were delivered in factory configurations with the 6.9-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine (M120, derived from the S600), 612 hp at 6,800 rpm, and a manual six-speed gearbox. The cars had a carbon monocoque, magnesium wheels, carbon packs exterior, and race-derived double-wishbone suspension. The six roadsters followed in 1999, with removable carbon roof panels. A factory evolution, the CLK GTR SuperSport, received a 7.3-litre V12 with around 720 hp.
The CLK GTR coupé's dry weight is around 1,440 kg, despite the massive 6.9-litre V12. The carbon monocoque was constructed in collaboration with TWR (Tom Walkinshaw Racing), using the same production approach as the Jaguar XJR-15. The interior is finished exclusively with leather and carbon packs, with no factory infotainment system (this is a homologation car, not a luxury GT). Top speed is 320 km/h; 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, impressive figures for a 1998 car with naturally aspirated engine.
The six CLK GTR Roadsters were delivered in 1999 as the closing specification of the CLK GTR programme. The Roadsters have removable carbon roof panels that can be stored in the front luggage compartment. Due to their extreme scarcity (6 cars) the Roadsters are generally priced higher than the coupés. The CLK GTR SuperSport (a handful of cars, factory upgrade) received a 7.3-litre V12 with around 720 hp and revised aerodynamics. For collectors all CLK GTR specifications are seven-figure purchases.
The CLK GTR has seen an exceptional valuation curve since launch. At launch the car was the most expensive production car in the world at around 1.5 million Deutsche Mark (roughly 1.5 million US dollars in 1998). In 2025 the market for a well-documented CLK GTR sits consistently in seven-figure Euros; top examples in original original specification or with factory restoration can achieve substantially higher amounts. For sellers this means a well-documented CLK GTR with proven service history at HWA or Mercedes-Benz Classic Center, original original specification, and complete ownership history attracts very strong international interest. The buyer you want is a wealthy collector who values FIA GT culture and modern homologation history.
The CLK GTR was built in 25 road-legal coupés (chassis numbers 1-25) and 6 roadsters (limited to 6 cars). Additionally, a few factory evolution models exist such as the CLK GTR SuperSport (with 7.3-litre V12). For collectors early chassis numbers are of special value. Confirmation via documentation of the production number is essential.
The CLK GTR was delivered in colours such as silver, black, red, and a number of special-ordered specifications. For collectors documentation of the original colour, leather specification, and details is essential. Restorations with original original specification are worth more to collectors than cars with deviating specification.
For the CLK GTR matching numbers (chassis, engine, gearbox) is decisive. Verify via the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center or HWA documentation. Replaced engines or gearboxes do not occur in regular service (only 28 cars built), but for restorations confirmation of original specification is essential.
Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Fellbach supplies certifications for classic Mercedes-Benz cars on request. For CLK GTR collectors this document is decisive; it confirms original specification, matching numbers, any factory restoration, and historically correct specification. Essentially mandatory for top valuation.
CLK GTR service is exceptionally specialist work: the M120 V12, carbon monocoque, race-derived suspension, and components require expertise that not every Mercedes-Benz specialist has. Service at HWA in Affalterbach (the original builder) or at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center is essential for collectors.
The CLK GTR road car is derived from the CLK-LM that won the FIA GT Championship in 1997 and 1998. For collectors, ownership chronology, any period events (Goodwood, Mercedes-Benz factory events), and documentation of invoice, first owner, and later owners is particularly relevant.
For CLK GTR collectors low mileage (under 5,000) in original condition is generally strongly value-driving. Document all elements (carbon panels, factory aerodynamics, original interior), proof of no serious damage history, and unmodified original specification. Restorations with Mercedes-Benz Classic Center confirmation are acceptable.
Note: These factors may influence buyer interest. Value depends on many factors.
CLK GTR coupé (25 cars, chassis number 1-25), CLK GTR Roadster (6 cars), or CLK GTR SuperSport (factory evolution with 7.3-litre V12). Chassis number, engine number, and documentation of the production number. For the Roadster: confirmation that the removable carbon roof panels are present and in original condition.
Decisive for top valuation on the CLK GTR. Apply via Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Fellbach based on the chassis number. Confirms original specification, matching numbers, original specification, colour, and any factory restoration. Essentially mandatory for collectors.
All invoices from HWA AG in Affalterbach (the original builder) or Mercedes-Benz Classic Center. CLK GTR service requires expertise not available at every Mercedes-Benz specialist: the M120 V12, carbon monocoque, race-derived suspension. Document all completed work.
Photos of the chassis number, engine number, and gearbox number. For the CLK GTR matching numbers is essentially mandatory for top valuation. Replaced components in such a limited production run (28 cars total) are rare but must be clearly documented with Mercedes-Benz Classic Center confirmation.
Paint colour with factory code, original leather specification, carbon packs exterior and interior, details (instruments, levers, wheels). For collectors, confirmation of the original original specification via Mercedes-Benz Classic Center is essential.
Number of previous owners, geographic distribution, period photos or club certificates, participation in factory events or Mercedes-Benz Classic events. For the CLK GTR provenance is particularly important; document all invoice documentation from previous ownership periods and any factory restoration history.
Number of kilometres, any trackday participation (rare for CLK GTR), geographic distribution. For CLK GTR collectors low mileage (under 5,000) in original condition is generally strongly value-driving; document proof of no serious damage history and unmodified original specification.
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