The Iconic 1997 Mercedes-AMG CLK GTR GT1 – A World Championship-Winning ‘Silver Arrow’

TO BE SOLD VIA SOTHEBY’S SEALED CLOSING ON 6 MARCH

• Campaigned by Mercedes-AMG legend Bernd Schneider to the 1997 FIA GT1 Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship titles
• This represents an unrepeatable opportunity to acquire one of the most significant cars from Mercedes-Benz’s illustrious history
• Incredible racing pedigree with four victories within the 1997 season
• A rare opportunty to acquire one of only four examples constructed and campaigned by Mercedes-Benz Motorsport in partnership with AMG
• Will be on display at ModaMiami
• To be sold via a Sotheby’s Sealed auction from 29 February to 6 March

LONDON, ENGLAND – February 27, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – RM Sotheby’s is delighted to announce the upcoming sale of a highly significant 1997 Mercedes-AMG CLK GTR GT1, which will be sold through a Sotheby’s Sealed auction from 29 February – 6 March.

Offered via Sotheby’s Sealed, the most esteemed instrument by which Mercedes-Benz announced their reign of dominance to the world: the 1997 FIA GT1 Championship-winning Mercedes-AMG CLK GTR GT1, chassis 004. Driven by legendary Mercedes-AMG driver Bernd Schneider, this very chassis boasts an incredible CV that includes four victories over the 11 rounds of the 1997 FIA GT1 season. It is also the chassis in which Schneider won his 1997 Drivers’ Championship and the Constructors’ Championship for Mercedes-AMG.

From Pen to Pole Position

With Mercedes-Benz executives wanting to continue its racing activities following on from the success in the German DTM series in the 1990s, the FIA GT Championship arose as a new potential venture for the marque. With a tough challenge set by the team of a lightning-fast development program, three key figures led the charge for Mercedes-Benz’s latest motorsport venture: Chief of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Norbert Haug, AMG head Hans Werner Aufrecht, and Domingos Piedade, director of the joint Mercedes-AMG racing team.

Only 128 days after the first sketches were conceived on paper, the very first complete racing chassis CLK GTR took to the track at Jarama on 27 March 1997. Mercedes veteran Bernd Schneider, along with AMG’s young gun, Alexander Wurz, tested the car with extremely successful results.

Beneath the Skin

Utilising a central carbon-fiber composite and honeycomb aluminium tub mounted with carbon-fibre body panels and a stressed-member powertrain design meant all major components were mated directly to the tub….