Ultra-rare Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR Roadster heads to Goodwood auction
One of only six CLK-GTR Roadsters built, with just 6km on the clock, is set for auction at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Bonhams will auction a virtually unused Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR Roadster at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed, offering collectors a rare chance to acquire one of the most exclusive supercars produced in the late 1990s. The car, finished in black and showing just 6 kilometres from new, is expected to fetch between $2.2 million and $2.8 million.
A Rare Opportunity at Goodwood
The CLK-GTR Roadster is not simply a convertible version of a familiar Mercedes coupé. Built for homologation to allow Mercedes to compete in FIA GT racing, only 26 CLK-GTRs were produced, of which just six were roadsters. Each car shares little with the standard CLK, instead using a carbon-fibre monocoque and a 6.9-litre AMG V12. This engine produces 604hp and 775Nm, sending the 1,440kg car from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds, according to manufacturer figures.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 6.9-litre AMG V12 |
| Power | 604hp |
| Torque | 775Nm |
| 0-100km/h | 3.8 seconds (manufacturer figure) |
| Weight | 1,440kg |
| Production | 6 roadsters (26 total CLK-GTRs) |
| Odometer | 6km |
| Auction Estimate | $2.2m–$2.8m |
Rarity and Provenance
The CLK-GTR Roadster’s rarity is central to its appeal. With only six roadsters ever built, and this particular example barely used since new, it is one of the lowest-mileage CLK-GTRs in existence. For collectors, provenance and originality are critical, and a car with such minimal use stands out even among other super-rare exotics.
Mercedes-Benz built the CLK-GTR as a direct response to GT1 rivals from Porsche and McLaren, and it became a homologation special with a price tag to match. The roadster variant, produced in even lower numbers, has always commanded a premium over the coupé.
Collector Interest at Goodwood
Bonhams expects strong interest from collectors at Goodwood, where rare Mercedes models have previously achieved high prices. The combination of the CLK-GTR’s motorsport pedigree, extreme rarity and near-new condition is likely to drive bidding well above many modern supercars.
- Other rare Mercedes auctioned at Goodwood include the 1955 300SL Gullwing and the 1954 Formula One car
- These sales have attracted global attention and set auction benchmarks for the brand
