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1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK Class

The first generation of the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class was introduced in 1997 and was based on the W202 C-Class launched three years earlier. That year, all Mercedes-Benz were given an electronically controlled driver-adaptive five-speed automatic transmission that was introduced the prior year on the V8 and V12 S-Class, and SL roadsters. Powering the CLK-Class was a dual-overhead-cam six-cylinder engine that offered 220 horsepower. Priced at nearly $40,000, it offered style, quality, luxury, and performance.

For 1999, the CLK-Class consisted of the CLK320 Coupe, the CLK320 Convertible, and the CLK430 Coupe. Pricing ranged from $40,500 through $48,000. Power came from a 24-valve six-cylinder engine that produced nearly 220 horsepower. The CLK430 had an overhead-cam eight-cylinder powerplant that delivered 275 horsepower. The driver-adaptive five-speed automatic and disc brakes were standard.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: WDB2093421F132322

Germany's Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) has produced some of the best drivers in the world and some of the highest level of competition. Part of the sport's appeal is that the cars are production-based examples with similar appearances to road-going cars. Since 2000, Mercedes-Benz has won the Constructors' Championship nine times. To commemorate Bernd Schneider's championship in 2003, they built a limited-production DTM-inspired road car called the CLK DTM AMG. 80 cabriolets and 100 coupes were built and were closely modeled after the championship-winning CLK.

Power was supplied from a 5.4-liter M113 engine offering 582 horsepower and 590 lbs-ft of torque. Pistons, crankcase, valve gear, cooling system, intake ducting, supercharger, and exhaust were all revised, and the engine reportedly delivers 86% of its peak torque from only 2,000 RPM. Zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in 3.9 seconds with the top speed electronically limited to 199 mph.

The CLK DTM AMG was given a five-speed speedshift paddle-actuated transmission, upgraded suspension, wider performance tires, and ceramic-composite front brakes. A carbon-fiber composite was used on the hood, doors, and other areas of the exterior, which featured flared wheel arches, a deep front valance, and rear wing. The interior was given one-piece carbon fiber bucket seats and drilled alloy pedals.

This particular example was purchased in 2016 under the Show and Display exemption and currently has just over 4,900 miles on its odometer.

by Dan Vaughan