Weekly Treasure: 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG

只有100梅赛德斯奔驰CLK DTM AMG的例子coupe were built. The convertible is an even rarer find since only 80 exist. Both were made exclusively for the European market beginning in 2004 and ending in 2006. Importing one to the US is not impossible, but it would have to stay under the "show or display" exemption until the 25-year import ban ends. Patience has its virtues.

Those who already own rare andextreme AMG machines, like the newMercedes-AMG GT Black Series, will definitely want to add the CLK DTM AMG to their collection (if only for all those letters); it only has 3 less horsepower than the currentAMG GT R. Built to celebrate Bernd Schneider's winning of the 2003 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) championship, the CLK DTM AMG was about as close to a race car for the road as you could buy at the time.

Only this one is street legal. Under the hood lies a handbuilt supercharged 5.4-liter V8 with around 575 horsepower at 6100 rpm and 590 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm. All of that power is directed to the rear wheels through a SpeedShift 5G-Tronic automatic transmission. Zero to 62 mph takes only 3.9 seconds, towards a top speed of 200 mph. AMG engineers redesigned the rear axle with stiffer bushes and reinforced driveshafts. The adjustable suspension was redesigned as well.

Extensive exterior mods include a new front apron, larger intake ducts, and flared wheel arches. Some examples had a trunk-mounted rear wing composed of carbon fiber. Needless to say, the brakes were upgraded too. The interior perfectly blends luxury and racing elements such as leather and Alcantara-trimmed bucket seats and a DTM-inspired steering wheel.

There's plenty of carbon fiber and Alcantara trim scattered throughout the cabin, which also lacks a rear seat. There's even a fire extinguisher located behind the front passenger seat. Finding a CLK DTM AMG for sale doesn't happen often and wealthy collectors shouldn't hesitate when the opportunity arises. Someone apparently already has.

UK-based Romans International very recently just sold this now three-owner 2005 Mercedes CLK DTM AMG with only 17,050 miles. The Iridium Silver exterior is flawless, as is the black interior. Making it even more special, it's just one of 40 right-hand-drive examples built. It's too bad the final amount was not listed but it surely must have cost well into the six-figure range.

An already-imported-to-the-US example is up for sale at RM Sotheby's Amelia Island auction on May 22, with no estimated sale price.