Supercars
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
not including Formula One.
See also : McLaren Mercedes-Benz Big Five
Chronology : 1994 1995 1998 2001 2002
not including Formula One.
See also : McLaren Mercedes-Benz Big Five
Chronology : 1994 1995 1998 2001 2002
Ferrari Big Five
1
1992 Ferrari F40 LM by Michelotto
2025 SOLD for $ 11M by RM Sotheby's
The first Ferrari supercar was the 288 GTO. This technological marvel was a big disappointment for the brand : ready just when the Group B was canceled for security reasons in 1986, it could never be used in competition.
Ferrari is radically changing its strategy. The F40, the ultimate model that has been approved by Enzo Ferrari, is a road going car based on the 288 GTO. Its performances are similar to a race car : top speed at 200 mph, 60 mph after 3.9 seconds, 100 mph after 8 seconds.
The commercial success of the F40 is considerable despite a very high price. 1,311 F40 are produced in total from 1987 to 1992. The GT competition does not interest Ferrari any more and customers regret the absence of a racing version of the F40. With the agreement of Ferrari, 18 F40 LM are prepared by Michelotto, a Paduan company that had a similar successful experience with the 365 GTB/4 Daytona.
The F40 LM is significantly modified from the basic F40. The chassis is reinforced, the body is more aggressive and several major equipment are modified. Lighter and more powerful, it reaches 229 mph, and 60 mph after 3 seconds.
The target of the LM is the competition. The difference between the rules led Michelotto to offer two variants, GTE for the American IMSA events and GTC for the FIA. Developing 760 hp to be compared with the 478 hp of the basic F40, the GTC is the most powerful of all F40.
The 14th car is a GTC, completed by Michelotto in December 1992 and titled 1993. It is equipped with the desirable plexiglass sliding side windows. It was sold for $ 11M from a lower estimate of $ 8.5M by RM Sotheby's on August 16, 2025, lot 260. It had been Ferrari Classiche certified in 2009 and retains its original engine, transaxle and coachwork. The wheels have been changed to larger and narrower.
The 18th and final F40 LM of the regular series, completed in 1993 and titled 1994, was sold for $ 3.3M by RM Sotheby's in August 2015.
Response by Grok :
RM Sotheby's @rmsothebys Aug 17 1:17
SOLD: $11,005,000 USD! The 1993 Ferrari F40 LM by Michelotto goes to a new owner during night two of RM Sotheby's
Ferrari is radically changing its strategy. The F40, the ultimate model that has been approved by Enzo Ferrari, is a road going car based on the 288 GTO. Its performances are similar to a race car : top speed at 200 mph, 60 mph after 3.9 seconds, 100 mph after 8 seconds.
The commercial success of the F40 is considerable despite a very high price. 1,311 F40 are produced in total from 1987 to 1992. The GT competition does not interest Ferrari any more and customers regret the absence of a racing version of the F40. With the agreement of Ferrari, 18 F40 LM are prepared by Michelotto, a Paduan company that had a similar successful experience with the 365 GTB/4 Daytona.
The F40 LM is significantly modified from the basic F40. The chassis is reinforced, the body is more aggressive and several major equipment are modified. Lighter and more powerful, it reaches 229 mph, and 60 mph after 3 seconds.
The target of the LM is the competition. The difference between the rules led Michelotto to offer two variants, GTE for the American IMSA events and GTC for the FIA. Developing 760 hp to be compared with the 478 hp of the basic F40, the GTC is the most powerful of all F40.
The 14th car is a GTC, completed by Michelotto in December 1992 and titled 1993. It is equipped with the desirable plexiglass sliding side windows. It was sold for $ 11M from a lower estimate of $ 8.5M by RM Sotheby's on August 16, 2025, lot 260. It had been Ferrari Classiche certified in 2009 and retains its original engine, transaxle and coachwork. The wheels have been changed to larger and narrower.
The 18th and final F40 LM of the regular series, completed in 1993 and titled 1994, was sold for $ 3.3M by RM Sotheby's in August 2015.
Response by Grok :
RM Sotheby's @rmsothebys Aug 17 1:17
SOLD: $11,005,000 USD! The 1993 Ferrari F40 LM by Michelotto goes to a new owner during night two of RM Sotheby's
- The X post by RM Sotheby's documents the auction of a 1993 Ferrari F40 LM by Michelotto, which sold for $11,005,000 USD during the Monterey auction, highlighting its rarity and high demand among collectors due to its limited production of only 19 units and its racing heritage.
- The Ferrari F40 LM, a highly modified version of the original F40, was prepared by Michelotto, a specialist in Ferrari racecars, and is noted for being the most powerful iteration of the F40, with significant performance enhancements over the standard model.
- The auction's progression, starting from $1 million and escalating to $10 million before the final sale, underscores the intense competition and the car's status as a coveted piece of automotive history, with the event capturing the excitement and prestige of Monterey Car Week.
2
1995 F50
2025 SOLD for $ 9.2M by RM Sotheby's
Ferrari went under control of Fiat at the passing of Enzo Ferrari in 1988. The production of the F40, which met a great commercial success in succession of the 288 GTO, is terminated in 1992. The new F130 project to focus all the technological advances of the brand on a single model is not ready.
The F40 was named after the 40th year of the Ferrari brand in 1987. The car from the F130 project will be the F50 but the competition is too fierce and Ferrari can not wait for its 50th year. The new model is launched in 1995.
The market has changed. Customers of the supercars desire to own vehicles of high prestige while ignoring fuel waste and speed limits thanks to a reduced mileage use. Ferrari understands that the F50 will not reach the performance of the McLaren and strictly limits its production to 349 units, compared with the 1,315 units of the F40. The project of a F50 GT for the race is abandoned without comment.
The F50 is combining a lightweight carbon fiber monocoque chassis, a naturally aspirated 4.7 liter V-12 engine inspired from the 641 Formula 1 car and the two seater 333 SP, a six-speed manual gearbox, a body designed with wind tunnel testing by Pininfarina, a minimal cockpit inspired by Formula 1 and a removable hardtop. The top speed is 325 Km/h with 100 Km/h reached in 3.6 seconds.
That mechanical achievement is indeed a major link between the F40 and the Enzo and current collectors welcome it. In January 2016 Gooding sold the Shooshani collection. The 1995 F50 fetched $ 2.4M compared with $ 1.53M for the F40 and $ 2.86M for the Enzo.
An F50 made in 1995 from US specification had been ordered new to Ralph Lauren. The multi billionaire fashion designer and famous car collector sold it in 2003 with 3,300 miles on the odometer.
Out of view since 2009, the car is surfacing in immaculate condition with 5,400 miles from new. It was sold for $ 9.2M from a lower estimate of $ 6.5M for sale by RM Sotheby's on August 16, 2025, lot 254. Its Ferrari Classiche certification had been reviewed and renewed in 2024. Its original user's manual is joined.
It is one of only two F50 that have been finished in a spectacular Giallo Modena. Is interior is Nero.
Response by Grok :
Quote
RM Sotheby's @rmsothebys Aug 17 0:31
SOLD: $9,245,000 USD! Smashing the previous world record, the 1995 Ferrari F50 has found a new home at RM Sotheby's Monterey auction. #RMMonterey #RMSothebys #Ferrari #F50 #MontereyCarWeek
The F40 was named after the 40th year of the Ferrari brand in 1987. The car from the F130 project will be the F50 but the competition is too fierce and Ferrari can not wait for its 50th year. The new model is launched in 1995.
The market has changed. Customers of the supercars desire to own vehicles of high prestige while ignoring fuel waste and speed limits thanks to a reduced mileage use. Ferrari understands that the F50 will not reach the performance of the McLaren and strictly limits its production to 349 units, compared with the 1,315 units of the F40. The project of a F50 GT for the race is abandoned without comment.
The F50 is combining a lightweight carbon fiber monocoque chassis, a naturally aspirated 4.7 liter V-12 engine inspired from the 641 Formula 1 car and the two seater 333 SP, a six-speed manual gearbox, a body designed with wind tunnel testing by Pininfarina, a minimal cockpit inspired by Formula 1 and a removable hardtop. The top speed is 325 Km/h with 100 Km/h reached in 3.6 seconds.
That mechanical achievement is indeed a major link between the F40 and the Enzo and current collectors welcome it. In January 2016 Gooding sold the Shooshani collection. The 1995 F50 fetched $ 2.4M compared with $ 1.53M for the F40 and $ 2.86M for the Enzo.
An F50 made in 1995 from US specification had been ordered new to Ralph Lauren. The multi billionaire fashion designer and famous car collector sold it in 2003 with 3,300 miles on the odometer.
Out of view since 2009, the car is surfacing in immaculate condition with 5,400 miles from new. It was sold for $ 9.2M from a lower estimate of $ 6.5M for sale by RM Sotheby's on August 16, 2025, lot 254. Its Ferrari Classiche certification had been reviewed and renewed in 2024. Its original user's manual is joined.
It is one of only two F50 that have been finished in a spectacular Giallo Modena. Is interior is Nero.
Response by Grok :
Quote
RM Sotheby's @rmsothebys Aug 17 0:31
SOLD: $9,245,000 USD! Smashing the previous world record, the 1995 Ferrari F50 has found a new home at RM Sotheby's Monterey auction. #RMMonterey #RMSothebys #Ferrari #F50 #MontereyCarWeek
- The post documents the auction of a 1995 Ferrari F50 at RM Sotheby's Monterey event, where it sold for a record-breaking $9,245,000 USD, surpassing the previous world record for this model and highlighting the car's status as a highly sought-after collector's item.
- The Ferrari F50, produced between 1995 and 1997, features a 4.7-liter V12 engine originally developed for Ferrari's Formula One cars, and only 349 units were ever made, contributing to its rarity and value in the collector's market.
- The auction's progression, as shown in the video, reflects intense bidding competition, starting from $2,000,000 and escalating rapidly to $8,400,000 before the final sale, indicating strong demand and the car's significance in automotive history.
McLaren F1
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 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.
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 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.
1
1994 Chassis 014
2025 SOLD for $ 25.3M by RM Sotheby's
The McLaren F1 chassis 014 assembled in 1994 was sold for $ 25.3M from a lower estimate of $ 21M by RM Sotheby's on December 5, 2025, lot 432.
Grok thought on 2025 McLaren F1 Auction Details
In 2025, the McLaren F1 continued its dominance in the collector car market with two notable public auction offerings: a sealed-bid sale of chassis 062 at RM Sotheby's Monterey in August, and an upcoming live auction of chassis 077 (ex-Sultan of Brunei) at RM Sotheby's Abu Dhabi in December. These sales highlight the F1's escalating values, with low-mileage, provenance-rich examples pushing boundaries. No other F1 road car sales were reported at major auctions like Gooding & Company or Bonhams in 2025. Below are the details.
(ArtHitParade note : the chassis reference in the RM Sotheby's catalogue is not 077 but 014.)
Auction House & Date : RM Sotheby's (Abu Dhabi, Live, Dec 5)
Model/Specs : 1997 F1 (White exterior, High-Downforce Kit, LM-spec interior, black OZ center-lock wheels)
Mileage : 13,711 miles
Estimate : ~$21,000,000
Ex-Sultan of Brunei royal garage; one of eight factory High-Downforce Kit recipients (last applied). Enhanced aero and interior upgrades; strong royal provenance appeals to Middle Eastern collectors. Part of broader RM event including future McLaren race cars.
Key Insights
Grok thought on 2025 McLaren F1 Auction Details
In 2025, the McLaren F1 continued its dominance in the collector car market with two notable public auction offerings: a sealed-bid sale of chassis 062 at RM Sotheby's Monterey in August, and an upcoming live auction of chassis 077 (ex-Sultan of Brunei) at RM Sotheby's Abu Dhabi in December. These sales highlight the F1's escalating values, with low-mileage, provenance-rich examples pushing boundaries. No other F1 road car sales were reported at major auctions like Gooding & Company or Bonhams in 2025. Below are the details.
(ArtHitParade note : the chassis reference in the RM Sotheby's catalogue is not 077 but 014.)
Auction House & Date : RM Sotheby's (Abu Dhabi, Live, Dec 5)
Model/Specs : 1997 F1 (White exterior, High-Downforce Kit, LM-spec interior, black OZ center-lock wheels)
Mileage : 13,711 miles
Estimate : ~$21,000,000
Ex-Sultan of Brunei royal garage; one of eight factory High-Downforce Kit recipients (last applied). Enhanced aero and interior upgrades; strong royal provenance appeals to Middle Eastern collectors. Part of broader RM event including future McLaren race cars.
Key Insights
- Chassis 062 Highlights: This car's California residency since delivery (always registered there) and minimal global travel enhance its appeal as a "time capsule." It participated in the 2012 F1 20th Anniversary Tour in Italy, documented in Porter Press's book. The sealed format preserved buyer privacy, but industry buzz suggested competitive global bidding.
- Market Context: F1 values in 2025 averaged $15–25M for pristine examples, up ~15% from 2024, driven by scarcity (only 64 road cars total). The Monterey sale aligned with Car Week's $400M+ totals, while Abu Dhabi's timing coincides with the F1 season finale, potentially inflating bids.
- Related 2025 Events: RM Sotheby's Abu Dhabi auction also features McLaren Racing's unprecedented sale of future 2026 F1/IndyCar/WEC cars (delivery post-2028 racing), but these are race prototypes, not classic F1 road cars. A Gordon Murray S1 LM (F1 successor) sold for a record $20.63M in Las Vegas (Nov 2025), underscoring the lineage's heat.
2
1994 Chassis 029
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.
3
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
4
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.
5
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.
6
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.
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.
