Supercars
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : McLaren Mercedes-Benz Porsche
Chronology : 1995 1998 2001 2002
See also : McLaren Mercedes-Benz Porsche
Chronology : 1995 1998 2001 2002
Intro
The oil crisis of the 1970s halted for ten years the market of the high-end production cars. However, technological advances already hinted further wonderful vehicles. The restart is triggered in the following decade by the short-lived Group B of the FIA. Ferrari develops the 288 GTO which is recorded at 303 Km/h in 1985. Porsche improves the 911 and introduces the 959.
The breakthrough of this evolution becomes visible in 1992 when McLaren unveils the F1, which will be timed in the following year at 370 Km/h with the rev limiter and 386 Km/h when disabling it.
The breakthrough of this evolution becomes visible in 1992 when McLaren unveils the F1, which will be timed in the following year at 370 Km/h with the rev limiter and 386 Km/h when disabling it.
McLaren F1
Intro
The McLaren F1 is the result of a brainstorming between the managers of the group in 1988. In that year their dominance over Formula One is total : Senna and Prost win 15 of the 16 Grands Prix.
Technical director since 1987, Gordon Murray convinces his bosses to develop the most powerful, most comfortable and most elegant grand touring car of all time. The model is named F1 for announcing that the same care should be taken in the design and manufacture of this coupe as for a Formula One car.
The first prototype is unveiled in Monaco in 1992. The F1 had the great merit to start the commercial production of supercars after the dark years of the oil crisis. Nearly fifteen years after the series was terminated with its 106th unit in 1998, it was still the fastest model of road cars.
The F1 is the first production car with a carbon fiber monocoque chassis. The cockpit offers an exceptional visibility in the driving position with a central pilot seat and two lateral seats slightly behind for the passengers.
As for the great berlinettas and coupes made by Ferrari and Ford in the 1960s, the shape of the bodywork is superb. For the first time probably in the history of the automobile, some of the original owners maintained their car as if it were a work of art, anticipating the passion for supercars led ten years later by the Bugatti Veyron.
Technical director since 1987, Gordon Murray convinces his bosses to develop the most powerful, most comfortable and most elegant grand touring car of all time. The model is named F1 for announcing that the same care should be taken in the design and manufacture of this coupe as for a Formula One car.
The first prototype is unveiled in Monaco in 1992. The F1 had the great merit to start the commercial production of supercars after the dark years of the oil crisis. Nearly fifteen years after the series was terminated with its 106th unit in 1998, it was still the fastest model of road cars.
The F1 is the first production car with a carbon fiber monocoque chassis. The cockpit offers an exceptional visibility in the driving position with a central pilot seat and two lateral seats slightly behind for the passengers.
As for the great berlinettas and coupes made by Ferrari and Ford in the 1960s, the shape of the bodywork is superb. For the first time probably in the history of the automobile, some of the original owners maintained their car as if it were a work of art, anticipating the passion for supercars led ten years later by the Bugatti Veyron.
1
1994
2021 SOLD for $ 20.5M by Gooding
The McLaren F1 was acclaimed in due course as a sensational breakthrough in automotive history, both technically and aesthetically. In 1995 a private Japanese collector purchased an F1 for keeping it forever in museum condition out of public view. His car with chassis number 029 had been the last one assembled in 1994 and is titled 1995.
029 has been carefully maintained and serviced like any road going car while being driven for about 300 km only in Japan, most of it cumulated during a promotional filming session. The first owner parted from it after 17 years. The same care was applied by a subsequent long term owner in the USA who added less than 100 km on the odometer when making it US emission compliant.
The car is in pristine condition with a wide set of factory supplied tooling, documentation, and spares even including flashlight. It is preserving its one-off original color scheme of brown hues and its original 1994 Goodyear Eagle tires that had been specially designed for the F1. It is accompanied by the few equipment that were changed in 2014 for making it US legal. While not driven afterward, it was regularly maintained with fluid changes.
It was sold for $ 20.5M from a lower estimate of $ 15M by Gooding on August 13, 2021, lot 29. It is indeed a perfectly preserved example of the best road car model of the later 20th century. It is illustrated in the pre sale press release. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
029 has been carefully maintained and serviced like any road going car while being driven for about 300 km only in Japan, most of it cumulated during a promotional filming session. The first owner parted from it after 17 years. The same care was applied by a subsequent long term owner in the USA who added less than 100 km on the odometer when making it US emission compliant.
The car is in pristine condition with a wide set of factory supplied tooling, documentation, and spares even including flashlight. It is preserving its one-off original color scheme of brown hues and its original 1994 Goodyear Eagle tires that had been specially designed for the F1. It is accompanied by the few equipment that were changed in 2014 for making it US legal. While not driven afterward, it was regularly maintained with fluid changes.
It was sold for $ 20.5M from a lower estimate of $ 15M by Gooding on August 13, 2021, lot 29. It is indeed a perfectly preserved example of the best road car model of the later 20th century. It is illustrated in the pre sale press release. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
2
1995
2017 SOLD for $ 15.6M by Bonhams
The F1 is the best but the security rules are not the same in America. The central position of the driver is tolerated but the side seats for the passengers are not allowed. Other differences include bumper height, headlights and cooling system. A company named Ameritech makes the changes necessary for the legalization in a way that can be easily and completely reversible. 7 F1 are processed by them around 1997.
On August 18, 2017, Bonhams sold for $ 15.6M as lot 73 an F1 made in 1995, chassis number 044, which had been in 1996 the first to be shipped to the United States, transformed by Ameritech and legalized. It was later returned to its original configuration as almost all (or all?) the F1 Ameritech.
It is announced as a dream car, consigned by its first owner with only 15,500 Km from new and an excellent history of services, in its original configuration without any further option. With a population of 64 in its basic version the McLaren F1 is however less rare than the Ferrari 250 GTO. Please watch the video shared by the auction house
On August 18, 2017, Bonhams sold for $ 15.6M as lot 73 an F1 made in 1995, chassis number 044, which had been in 1996 the first to be shipped to the United States, transformed by Ameritech and legalized. It was later returned to its original configuration as almost all (or all?) the F1 Ameritech.
It is announced as a dream car, consigned by its first owner with only 15,500 Km from new and an excellent history of services, in its original configuration without any further option. With a population of 64 in its basic version the McLaren F1 is however less rare than the Ferrari 250 GTO. Please watch the video shared by the auction house
3
1997
2013 SOLD for $ 8.5M by Gooding
An F1 made in 1997 was sold for $ 8.5M by Gooding on August 17, 2013, lot 51. With 22,000 km from new, it had its original paint in magnesium silver color along with its original toolbox and documentation.
4
1998 Special
2015 SOLD for $ 13.8M by RM Sotheby's
There are some variations among the 106 vehicles produced from 1992 to 1998.
The racing car was a logical development for the F1. The F1 GTR was released in 1995. The F1 road car was far ahead of its time, but on track the competition was rude with Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. In 1997, the chassis is changed. The F1 GTR Longtail, produced in ten units, is the ultimate competition model in this series. The third Longtail was sold for $ 5.3M by Gooding on 17-18 January, 2014.
The F1 GT was created to demonstrate to the boards regulating the competitions that the concepts of GTR were consistent with the features of a grand tourer. It was not proposed in the commercial catalog but after the completion of the prototype two F1 chassis were upgraded to F1 GT on special orders from private clients.
The F1 LM is a lighter version of the F1 GTR. It was built in 1995 as one prototype and five units. The engine of the GTR is reused but without the power restrictions required for the competitions. Aerodynamics are modified to maintain the stability, including the installation of a rear wing and the modification of the nose. Without exceeding the top speed of the GTR, the LM has a sensational acceleration, reaching 160 km/h in less than 6 seconds.
In its first year in 1995, the F1 LM dominates the 24 hours of Le Mans : the 5 cars are ranked first, third, fourth, fifth and thirteenth. Later one of them was timed at 385 km/h.
In 1998 the F1 series is going to its close out. The engineers from McLaren Special Operations are responsible for producing the most exciting car of this so successful series, somehow the ultimate F1 with all possible improvements, the best supercar of its time.
The 63th and penultimate F1 street legal chassis is equipped altogether with an engine meeting the LM specification and with the comfort provided to the wealthy clients of the GT. Aware of creating a masterpiece of contemporary automobile, Murray signed it on the transmission tunnel.
This special car was sold for $ 13.8M by RM Sotheby's on August 13, 2015, lot 107. It is exceptional without being unique : another F1 chassis was also equipped with a LM engine.
The racing car was a logical development for the F1. The F1 GTR was released in 1995. The F1 road car was far ahead of its time, but on track the competition was rude with Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. In 1997, the chassis is changed. The F1 GTR Longtail, produced in ten units, is the ultimate competition model in this series. The third Longtail was sold for $ 5.3M by Gooding on 17-18 January, 2014.
The F1 GT was created to demonstrate to the boards regulating the competitions that the concepts of GTR were consistent with the features of a grand tourer. It was not proposed in the commercial catalog but after the completion of the prototype two F1 chassis were upgraded to F1 GT on special orders from private clients.
The F1 LM is a lighter version of the F1 GTR. It was built in 1995 as one prototype and five units. The engine of the GTR is reused but without the power restrictions required for the competitions. Aerodynamics are modified to maintain the stability, including the installation of a rear wing and the modification of the nose. Without exceeding the top speed of the GTR, the LM has a sensational acceleration, reaching 160 km/h in less than 6 seconds.
In its first year in 1995, the F1 LM dominates the 24 hours of Le Mans : the 5 cars are ranked first, third, fourth, fifth and thirteenth. Later one of them was timed at 385 km/h.
In 1998 the F1 series is going to its close out. The engineers from McLaren Special Operations are responsible for producing the most exciting car of this so successful series, somehow the ultimate F1 with all possible improvements, the best supercar of its time.
The 63th and penultimate F1 street legal chassis is equipped altogether with an engine meeting the LM specification and with the comfort provided to the wealthy clients of the GT. Aware of creating a masterpiece of contemporary automobile, Murray signed it on the transmission tunnel.
This special car was sold for $ 13.8M by RM Sotheby's on August 13, 2015, lot 107. It is exceptional without being unique : another F1 chassis was also equipped with a LM engine.
5
1994-2001 Special
2019 SOLD for $ 20M by RM Sotheby's
To keep cars in perfect condition and please the customers, McLaren creates a division in charge of service and of bespoke customization, which will much later become McLaren Special Operations.
In 1998 the penultimate road car was specially followed in production. When it is finished, the customer leaves it at the factory for having it upgraded to the LM specification. It was sold by RM Sotheby's in 2015.
The second owner of an F1 made in 1994 requires a similar modification. Transformed in two rounds in 2000 and 2001, this second and last F1 upgraded to F1 LM specification benefits from the latest developments and can be considered as the ultimate achievement of the best model of its time.
It was sold for $ 20M by RM Sotheby's on August 16, 2019, lot 261. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
In 1998 the penultimate road car was specially followed in production. When it is finished, the customer leaves it at the factory for having it upgraded to the LM specification. It was sold by RM Sotheby's in 2015.
The second owner of an F1 made in 1994 requires a similar modification. Transformed in two rounds in 2000 and 2001, this second and last F1 upgraded to F1 LM specification benefits from the latest developments and can be considered as the ultimate achievement of the best model of its time.
It was sold for $ 20M by RM Sotheby's on August 16, 2019, lot 261. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
1997 911 GT1 Rennversion
2024 SOLD for $ 7M by Broad Arrow
The international organizations that manage the motor sport are continuously oscillating between promoting prototypes and grand touring. Announced in 1994, the initiative of the BPR Global GT Series is highly appealing the manufacturers. From the 1997 season, the FIA takes back the direct control of these competitions. This phase prepares the supercar racings of the next decade.
Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, McLaren, Ferrari are strongly committed in these competitions that support their prestige. Two classes are defined, GT1 and GT2. In both classes, race cars must be based on a production model offered in at least 25 units. The difference between the two is that GT1 allows technological improvements in the racing version which is often identified with the Evolution or Evo wording.
The industrial challenge is so important that the organizers are tolerant for some interpretations of the rules. Mercedes-Benz has its CLK GTR approved in GT1 before the completion of the production model. Porsche goes further by developing its GT1 specifically for racing, the commercial model being no more than a consequence required from the rule.
The considerable interest in these competitions brings a very rapid change of the models, somehow hard to follow at Porsche that puts too many cars under the generic reference 911. In 1996, the first 911 GT1 version is based on the chassis 911(993) which will also be used in 1997 for the 911 GT1 Evolution. In the following year, the 911 GT1 Evolution will be a very different car built on the 911(996) chassis.
A 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Rennversion (not an Evo) was sold for $ 7M by Broad Arrow on August 15, 2024, lot 275. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
This example built for trade had a good racing history with privateers, starting in Europe with Roock and winning later in 1997 the IMSA GTS-1 class championship with Rohr Racing. It has never been significantly damaged or dismantled. It was repainted in its Rohr yellow livery after 2012.
On May 14, 2016, RM Sotheby's sold for € 2.8M a 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution, lot 261. This car with a successful racing career is the only Evolution specimen from this model to have also been made road legal.
The Porsche 911 GT1-98 wins the first two places at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1998.
Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, McLaren, Ferrari are strongly committed in these competitions that support their prestige. Two classes are defined, GT1 and GT2. In both classes, race cars must be based on a production model offered in at least 25 units. The difference between the two is that GT1 allows technological improvements in the racing version which is often identified with the Evolution or Evo wording.
The industrial challenge is so important that the organizers are tolerant for some interpretations of the rules. Mercedes-Benz has its CLK GTR approved in GT1 before the completion of the production model. Porsche goes further by developing its GT1 specifically for racing, the commercial model being no more than a consequence required from the rule.
The considerable interest in these competitions brings a very rapid change of the models, somehow hard to follow at Porsche that puts too many cars under the generic reference 911. In 1996, the first 911 GT1 version is based on the chassis 911(993) which will also be used in 1997 for the 911 GT1 Evolution. In the following year, the 911 GT1 Evolution will be a very different car built on the 911(996) chassis.
A 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Rennversion (not an Evo) was sold for $ 7M by Broad Arrow on August 15, 2024, lot 275. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
This example built for trade had a good racing history with privateers, starting in Europe with Roock and winning later in 1997 the IMSA GTS-1 class championship with Rohr Racing. It has never been significantly damaged or dismantled. It was repainted in its Rohr yellow livery after 2012.
On May 14, 2016, RM Sotheby's sold for € 2.8M a 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution, lot 261. This car with a successful racing career is the only Evolution specimen from this model to have also been made road legal.
The Porsche 911 GT1-98 wins the first two places at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1998.
Ferrari Formula 1
Intro
After being Formula 1 world champion with Benetton in 1994 and 1995, Michael Schumacher became Ferrari's star driver in 1996. At that time Ferrari was entering a new model every year in the Grand Prix.
Ferrari had not won a Formula One world drivers' championship since 1979 and the championship for constructors since 1983. They become once again a formidable challenger in 1998 with the F300 and Schumacher as its leading driver. The 1998 winners were Häkkinen just ahead of Schumacher and McLaren-Mercedes just ahead of Ferrari.
The Ferrari model of the 1998 season was the F300. Its new 3.0-liter 80 degrees V-10 engine reached 17,500 rpm producing 800 hp. The aerodynamics was improved from the previous F310B by a width shortening and a new exhaust reduced the heating.
Schumacher competed in the 16 Grand Prix of the season, winning 6 of them. He used various F300 cars for that purpose.
One of these cars was undefeated in its four entries. After being an unused spare cars in Monaco, it won the three successive Canadian, French and British Grand Prix in June and July plus the Italian Grand Prix in September. It is still now the only undefeated FIA Grand Prix chassis with at least three wins.
It was never re-used after its Italian win and was kept in an unrestored and unaltered as-raced condition. It was sold for $ 6.2M by RM Sotheby's on August 20, 2022, lot 342. Please watch the video shared by the auction including an interview with Jean Todt, the team manager who was operating in that period the resurgence of the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1.
Another F300 also driven by Schumacher in 1998 fetched $ 1.87M in January 2014 at Barrett-Jackson.
Ferrari had not won a Formula One world drivers' championship since 1979 and the championship for constructors since 1983. They become once again a formidable challenger in 1998 with the F300 and Schumacher as its leading driver. The 1998 winners were Häkkinen just ahead of Schumacher and McLaren-Mercedes just ahead of Ferrari.
The Ferrari model of the 1998 season was the F300. Its new 3.0-liter 80 degrees V-10 engine reached 17,500 rpm producing 800 hp. The aerodynamics was improved from the previous F310B by a width shortening and a new exhaust reduced the heating.
Schumacher competed in the 16 Grand Prix of the season, winning 6 of them. He used various F300 cars for that purpose.
One of these cars was undefeated in its four entries. After being an unused spare cars in Monaco, it won the three successive Canadian, French and British Grand Prix in June and July plus the Italian Grand Prix in September. It is still now the only undefeated FIA Grand Prix chassis with at least three wins.
It was never re-used after its Italian win and was kept in an unrestored and unaltered as-raced condition. It was sold for $ 6.2M by RM Sotheby's on August 20, 2022, lot 342. Please watch the video shared by the auction including an interview with Jean Todt, the team manager who was operating in that period the resurgence of the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1.
Another F300 also driven by Schumacher in 1998 fetched $ 1.87M in January 2014 at Barrett-Jackson.
1
2001 F2001
2017 SOLD for $ 7.5M by RM Sotheby's
A two-time world champion with Benetton in 1994 and 1995, Michael Schumacher won his third and fourth championship in 2000 and 2001 with Ferrari. He won nine of the seventeen grand prix in 2000 with the F1-2000 model and nine of the seventeen grand prix in 2001 with the F2001 model.
The new Ferrari model for 2001 was the F2001 characterized by a spectacular low nose.
An F2001 was sold for $ 7.5M by RM Sotheby's on November 16, 2017, lot 55. Sotheby's assisted by RM Sotheby's had entered the car in the post-war and contemporary art evening auction with an estimate of $ 4M, which could revive the interest of collectors for this prestigious class of vehicles. Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's.
On May 27, 2001 that F2001 had won the Monaco Grand Prix, giving Schumacher his fifth and last victory in this highly difficult competition but not reaching Ayrton Senna's record.
His victory with the same car at the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 19, 2001 is even more significant. While there are still four Grand Prix to finish the season, it ensures Schumacher his fourth title of Drivers' world champion and to Ferrari their eleventh title of Constructors' world champion. With this 51st victory Schumacher equaled the record of victories in Formula 1 Grand Prix held by Alain Prost since 1993.
For 2002 Ferrari prepares the F2002. Inspired by the F2001, it is largely modified with a lighter body, a new specification of the V-10 3 liter engine and significant improvements in the gearbox, aerodynamics, cooling, balance of weights.
The F2002 is not ready in time for reasons of gearbox reliability. For the first two Grand Prix of the season, Ferrari incorporates some improvements of the F2002 into the F2001. This evolution is referred as F2001b.
Schumacher wins with an F2001b the Australian Grand Prix. The Malaysian Grand Prix is marked by the 150th Formula One pole position of the brand, with the same car. Schumacher is delayed by a collision and finishes in 3rd place. That 2001b was offered in sealed auction by Sotheby's in August 2023. Please watch the video shared by RM Sotheby's.
A 'did not finish' by Barrichello in the next Grand Prix in Brazil terminates the glorious career of the F2001 and its evolution.
The new Ferrari model for 2001 was the F2001 characterized by a spectacular low nose.
An F2001 was sold for $ 7.5M by RM Sotheby's on November 16, 2017, lot 55. Sotheby's assisted by RM Sotheby's had entered the car in the post-war and contemporary art evening auction with an estimate of $ 4M, which could revive the interest of collectors for this prestigious class of vehicles. Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's.
On May 27, 2001 that F2001 had won the Monaco Grand Prix, giving Schumacher his fifth and last victory in this highly difficult competition but not reaching Ayrton Senna's record.
His victory with the same car at the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 19, 2001 is even more significant. While there are still four Grand Prix to finish the season, it ensures Schumacher his fourth title of Drivers' world champion and to Ferrari their eleventh title of Constructors' world champion. With this 51st victory Schumacher equaled the record of victories in Formula 1 Grand Prix held by Alain Prost since 1993.
For 2002 Ferrari prepares the F2002. Inspired by the F2001, it is largely modified with a lighter body, a new specification of the V-10 3 liter engine and significant improvements in the gearbox, aerodynamics, cooling, balance of weights.
The F2002 is not ready in time for reasons of gearbox reliability. For the first two Grand Prix of the season, Ferrari incorporates some improvements of the F2002 into the F2001. This evolution is referred as F2001b.
Schumacher wins with an F2001b the Australian Grand Prix. The Malaysian Grand Prix is marked by the 150th Formula One pole position of the brand, with the same car. Schumacher is delayed by a collision and finishes in 3rd place. That 2001b was offered in sealed auction by Sotheby's in August 2023. Please watch the video shared by RM Sotheby's.
A 'did not finish' by Barrichello in the next Grand Prix in Brazil terminates the glorious career of the F2001 and its evolution.
2
2002 F2002
2019 SOLD for $ 6.6M by RM Sotheby's
The development of the F2002 is a bit late. Schumacher drives an F2001 in the first two grand prix, winning one of them. For the fifteen grand prix of the rest of the season, he uses the F2002 with which he records ten victories. The same model brings four wins to his teammate Rubens Barrichello. The only failure of the F2002 in this phase is the Grand Prix of Monaco where Schumacher is 2nd behind a McLaren-Mercedes.
On November 30, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, RM Sotheby's sold for US $ 6.6M from a lower estimate of $ 5.5M an F2002, lot 117. Please watch the video shared by the auction house. The image is shared by Wikimedia with attribution: I, SilverArrows [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
This car won the 2002 Grand Prix of San Marino, Austria and France. The victory at Magny-Cours secures Schumacher's World championship title with six races still remaining. Such dominance of a car model and a champion is unique in the history of Formula 1.
In the following year this model is already out of date. Schumacher still wins with another F2002 the fourth grand prix of that season which he will continue with the F2003-GA.
On November 30, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, RM Sotheby's sold for US $ 6.6M from a lower estimate of $ 5.5M an F2002, lot 117. Please watch the video shared by the auction house. The image is shared by Wikimedia with attribution: I, SilverArrows [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
This car won the 2002 Grand Prix of San Marino, Austria and France. The victory at Magny-Cours secures Schumacher's World championship title with six races still remaining. Such dominance of a car model and a champion is unique in the history of Formula 1.
In the following year this model is already out of date. Schumacher still wins with another F2002 the fourth grand prix of that season which he will continue with the F2003-GA.
3
2003 F2003 GA
2022 SOLD for CHF 14.6M by RM Sotheby's
In 2003 Ferrari begins the Formula 1 season with the F2002, replaced from the fifth Grand Prix by the F2003 GA. The 2003 had a longer wheelbase to improve the aerodynamics. GA reads as a tribute to the late Gianni Agnelli, reminding that Ferrari was then a company of the Fiat group.
After the 16th and last Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher is the world drivers's champion for the sixth time, surpassing Fangio's record of five and including four consecutive seasons as Fangio had done.
In that highly disputed season against McLaren, Schumacher had one win with an F2002 and five wins plus two podiums with only one F2003 GA chassis while he used another chassis in three mid season Grand Prix with no win.
This highly successful F2003 still in full running order was sold for CHF 14.6M from a lower esimate of CHF 7.5M by Sotheby's in association with RM Sotheby's in a single lot auction on November 9, 2022. Please watch the video shared by RM Sotheby's, in which the car is narrated and driven by Michael Schumacher's son Mick.
A total of six F2003 GA had been built.
After the 16th and last Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher is the world drivers's champion for the sixth time, surpassing Fangio's record of five and including four consecutive seasons as Fangio had done.
In that highly disputed season against McLaren, Schumacher had one win with an F2002 and five wins plus two podiums with only one F2003 GA chassis while he used another chassis in three mid season Grand Prix with no win.
This highly successful F2003 still in full running order was sold for CHF 14.6M from a lower esimate of CHF 7.5M by Sotheby's in association with RM Sotheby's in a single lot auction on November 9, 2022. Please watch the video shared by RM Sotheby's, in which the car is narrated and driven by Michael Schumacher's son Mick.
A total of six F2003 GA had been built.
2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster
2023 SOLD for $ 10.2M by RM Sotheby's
Mercedes-Benz was supported since 1967 for the high performance engineering and custom projects by their partner AMG, which will be fully owned by the corporate in 2005.
The international organizations that manage the motor sport are continuously oscillating between promoting prototypes and grand touring. Announced in 1994, the initiative of the BPR Global GT Series is highly appealing the manufacturers. From the 1997 season, the FIA takes back the direct control of these competitions.
The FIA did not give up the old idea of a competition class that can be used to support the sales of high-end cars. The GT1 category is announced in 1996 for a start on the following year. Its specifications allow improvements that will not serve the basic model, including specific materials, improved aerodynamics, larger brakes and wider tires.
Mercedes-Benz cheers the GT1 as a great showcase to promote its supercars against McLaren and Ferrari. The release in just a few months by AMG of the CLK GTR would prove that discussions with the FIA had lasted for a significant time. The GT1 is close to a prototype category for which the returns on investment are not a foregone conclusion and Chrysler, for example, did not venture there.
The GT1 regulations require a population of 25 road homologated cars. The industrial challenge is so important that the organizers are tolerant for some interpretations of the rules. Mercedes-Benz has its car approved in GT1 before beginning the production model.
The supporting Strassenversion of the Mercedes-Benz AMG is made of 20 coupes and 6 roadsters. The production of these customer cars started in the summer of 1998, more than one year after the racing involvement of the prototypes.
These road cars that support the GT1 version are in period the most expensive cars on the market : around $ 1 million for the coupe and $ 1.5 million for the roadster, the world record in period for the most expensive commercially available road car.
That Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK GTR, followed in 1998 by the CLK LM, was only loosely related to the new luxury mid size CLK class.
The success of the GTR and of the LM was so overwhelming that Porsche, McLaren, Ferrari and BMW gave up. The FIA GT1 and GT2 did not survive the 1998 season. Mercedes-Benz's ambitions in this class of competition are canceled in 1999 by the disastrous instability of the next model, the CLR, along with a further change in the rules of the FIA.The CLK GTR coupe has a follower in the CLK GTR roadster with open top. Built in 6 units by HWA which was the successor to AMG from 1999, this model was capable of reaching 320 km/h (in theory).
Mercedes-Benz had kept until 2014 the first of these six roadsters, which was revised by them before being sold to an investor who did not intend to use it. This beautiful black car with only 8 km from new was sold for £ 1.5M by Bonhams on June 26, 2015, lot 340.
The 3rd roadster is dated 2002. With 170 km from new, it was sold for $ 10.2M by RM Sotheby's on November 17, 2023, lot 38. It is finished in silver paint over a black and grey leather interior.
The international organizations that manage the motor sport are continuously oscillating between promoting prototypes and grand touring. Announced in 1994, the initiative of the BPR Global GT Series is highly appealing the manufacturers. From the 1997 season, the FIA takes back the direct control of these competitions.
The FIA did not give up the old idea of a competition class that can be used to support the sales of high-end cars. The GT1 category is announced in 1996 for a start on the following year. Its specifications allow improvements that will not serve the basic model, including specific materials, improved aerodynamics, larger brakes and wider tires.
Mercedes-Benz cheers the GT1 as a great showcase to promote its supercars against McLaren and Ferrari. The release in just a few months by AMG of the CLK GTR would prove that discussions with the FIA had lasted for a significant time. The GT1 is close to a prototype category for which the returns on investment are not a foregone conclusion and Chrysler, for example, did not venture there.
The GT1 regulations require a population of 25 road homologated cars. The industrial challenge is so important that the organizers are tolerant for some interpretations of the rules. Mercedes-Benz has its car approved in GT1 before beginning the production model.
The supporting Strassenversion of the Mercedes-Benz AMG is made of 20 coupes and 6 roadsters. The production of these customer cars started in the summer of 1998, more than one year after the racing involvement of the prototypes.
These road cars that support the GT1 version are in period the most expensive cars on the market : around $ 1 million for the coupe and $ 1.5 million for the roadster, the world record in period for the most expensive commercially available road car.
That Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK GTR, followed in 1998 by the CLK LM, was only loosely related to the new luxury mid size CLK class.
The success of the GTR and of the LM was so overwhelming that Porsche, McLaren, Ferrari and BMW gave up. The FIA GT1 and GT2 did not survive the 1998 season. Mercedes-Benz's ambitions in this class of competition are canceled in 1999 by the disastrous instability of the next model, the CLR, along with a further change in the rules of the FIA.The CLK GTR coupe has a follower in the CLK GTR roadster with open top. Built in 6 units by HWA which was the successor to AMG from 1999, this model was capable of reaching 320 km/h (in theory).
Mercedes-Benz had kept until 2014 the first of these six roadsters, which was revised by them before being sold to an investor who did not intend to use it. This beautiful black car with only 8 km from new was sold for £ 1.5M by Bonhams on June 26, 2015, lot 340.
The 3rd roadster is dated 2002. With 170 km from new, it was sold for $ 10.2M by RM Sotheby's on November 17, 2023, lot 38. It is finished in silver paint over a black and grey leather interior.
