Mercedes-Benz has a storied motorsports history, from early successes with Daimler and Benz to the legendary “Silver Arrows” of the interwar period and dominant postwar Formula One and endurance racers. After a competitive lull, the band returned to prominence in the 1990s, dominating Germany’s DTM series with the 190 E Evo. This success led the company to seek new racing opportunities, culminating in the launch of the FIA GT Championship in 1997.
Mercedes responded with the CLK GTR, a purpose-built GT1 race car featuring an aluminum honeycomb chassis, carbon-fiber body, and a mid-mounted 6.0L V12 producing 592 hp. The car triumphed in 1997, winning six races and securing the championship. A road-legal version, the Straßenversion, followed, with an enlarged 6.9L engine making 622 hp.
Six ultra-rare Roadster versions were built, featuring revised air intakes and roll hoops. These open-top masterpieces remain some of the most exclusive and desirable supercars ever produced, with prices today ranging from $10 to $15 million. One of these Roadsters was featured in a new video from Doug DeMuro, in which he explores the many quirks and features of this legendary road-legal version of a successful GT1 race car.
