Mercedes-Benz CLK LM#Straßenversion

Mercedes was left without a series to race in after the 1996 International Touring Car Championship and Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft folded in 1996, with their competitors Opel and Alfa Romeo pulling out of the series, leaving Mercedes as the sole entrant.{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/dtm/news/same-mistakes-itc-1996-reuter/4798286/|title=DTM made the 'same mistakes' as ITC – 1996 champion Reuter|first=James|last=Newbold|date=30 May 2020|access-date=29 August 2022|work=motorsport.com|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919164002/https://www.motorsport.com/dtm/news/same-mistakes-itc-1996-reuter/4798286/|url-status=live}} The elevation of the BPR Global GT Series to an FIA-sanctioned event, the FIA GT Championship, piqued the interest of Mercedes who instructed AMG to construct a car to the Group GT1 regulations. To speed up the development process, AMG purchased McLaren F1 GTR chassis #11R from French privateers Larbre Compétition, which was then fitted with AMG's own bodywork along with substituting the F1 GTR's S70/2 engine for Mercedes' own, the LS600.{{cite web|url=https://jalopnik.com/the-original-prototype-for-the-mercedes-clk-gtr-was-a-m-321212058|work=Jalopnik|first=Máté|last=Petrány|date=21 February 2013|title=The Original Prototype For The Mercedes CLK-GTR Was A McLaren F1 GTR|access-date=29 August 2022|archive-date=19 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119201148/https://jalopnik.com/the-original-prototype-for-the-mercedes-clk-gtr-was-a-m-321212058|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.autoevolution.com/news/mercedes-benz-clk-gtr-the-mclaren-f1-gtr-slayer-turned-road-legal-supercar-164203.html|work=autoevolution|date=29 June 2021|first=Vlad|last=Radu|title=Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR: The McLaren F1 GTR Slayer Turned Road-Legal Supercar|access-date=29 August 2022|archive-date=8 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708132539/https://www.autoevolution.com/news/mercedes-benz-clk-gtr-the-mclaren-f1-gtr-slayer-turned-road-legal-supercar-164203.html|url-status=live}} This accelerated development process meant that the CLK GTR was ready for competition just 128 days after work on the design had begun.{{cite web|url=https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/22723/lot/340/|work=Bonhams|date=26 June 2015|first=Sholto|last=Gilbertson|access-date=29 August 2022|title=1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster Chassis no. WDB2973971Y000008|location=Goodwood Festival of Speed|archive-date=19 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119211719/https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/22723/lot/340/|url-status=live}}

The CLK GTR debuted at Mercedes' home track, the Hockenheimring, where Bernd Schneider qualified on pole. However, he later retired with brake problems, and the sister car finished 27th. Despite the setback, the CLK GTR would prove to be successful in the 1997 FIA GT Championship, winning six out of eleven races, the constructor's and the driver's championship by a large margin.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/a22073254/the-mercedes-clk-gtr-was-homologated-six-days-before-its-first-race/|magazine=Road & Track|location=Online|first=Chris|last=Perkins|issn=0035-7189|date=6 July 2018|access-date=27 August 2022|title=The Mercedes CLK GTR Was Homologated Six Days Before its First Race|archive-date=9 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309040319/https://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/a22073254/the-mercedes-clk-gtr-was-homologated-six-days-before-its-first-race/|url-status=live}}

Following the success of the CLK GTR, Mercedes-Benz modified the CLK GTR to suit the long straights of the Circuit de la Sarthe, constructing a new chassis with revised bodywork.{{cite web|url=https://www.hagerty.com/media/motorsports/uplifting-tale-of-mercedes-troubled-clk-race-car/|work=Hagerty|first=Nathan|last=Petroelje|date=4 October 2019|access-date=28 August 2022|title=The "uplifting" tale of Mercedes' troubled CLK race car program|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924024454/https://www.hagerty.com/media/motorsports/uplifting-tale-of-mercedes-troubled-clk-race-car/|url-status=live}} AMG also had doubts over the reliability of the V12 engine of the CLK GTR, opting to replace it with a non-turbocharged version of the M119 engine found in the Sauber C9 and Mercedes-Benz C11, dubbed the GT 108B.{{cite web|url=https://dyler.com/posts/361/the-car-that-killed-the-gt1-class-mercedes-clk-lm|work=Dyler|title=The Car That Killed the GT1 Class: Mercedes CLK LM|access-date=28 August 2022|author=Marius|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107225759/https://dyler.com/posts/361/the-car-that-killed-the-gt1-class-mercedes-clk-lm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hagerty.com/media/auctions/mercedes-benz-clk-gtr-captures-the-barely-tamed-spirit-of-90s-endurance-racing/|work=Hagerty|first=Grace|last=Houghton|date=21 July 2021|title=Mercedes-Benz' CLK GTR captures the barely-tamed spirit of '90s endurance racing|access-date=28 August 2022|archive-date=8 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808225606/https://www.hagerty.com/media/auctions/mercedes-benz-clk-gtr-captures-the-barely-tamed-spirit-of-90s-endurance-racing/|url-status=live}} The engine featured a revised crankshaft, with the GT 108B replacing the previous crossplane crank of the V12 with a flat-plane crank.{{cite magazine|magazine=Road & Track|url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a28257/archived-drive-mercedes-benz-clk-gtr/|issn=0035-7189|date=22 February 2016|title=Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR: A Race Car You Can Drive on the Street|first=Paul|last=Frere|access-date=30 August 2022|archive-date=23 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723204900/https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a28257/archived-drive-mercedes-benz-clk-gtr/|url-status=live}} Changes to the bodywork included removing the two front brake cooling ducts, the removal of the front fender gills, alterations to the roof scoop, and a lower roofline and nose.

The CLK GTR would race the first two rounds of the 1998 FIA GT Championship, where it won the championship's first two races at Silverstone and Oschersleben before being replaced by the CLK LM.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.sportscarmarket.com/profile/1998-mercedes-benz-clk-gtr-roadster|title=1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster|first=Jeff|last=Zurschmeide|date=19 September 2015|access-date=28 August 2022|magazine=Sports Car Market|issn=1527-859X|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410200355/https://www.sportscarmarket.com/profile/1998-mercedes-benz-clk-gtr-roadster|url-status=live}}

File:Mercedes-Benz CLK LM - Klaus Ludwig, Bernd Schneider & Mark Webber approaching Ford Chicane at the 1998 Le Mans (51857106385).jpg]]

At the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans, Bernd Schneider qualified the No. 35 CLK LM on pole in the third of four qualifying sessions, setting a time of 3:35.544, just over a second ahead of the works Toyota GT-One. The sister No. 36 CLK LM would round out the top three.{{cite news|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1012356267|title=Le Mans Pole For Webber|newspaper=The Canberra Times|oclc=220340116|eissn=2653-0996|issue=11|date=6 June 1998|access-date=28 August 2022|id={{ProQuest|1012356267}}|archive-date=30 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830012803/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1012356267|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/races/1998-le-mans-24-hours/|magazine=Motor Sport|issn=0027-2019|title=1998 Le Mans 24 Hours winner, full results and reports {{!}} Motorsport Database|access-date=28 August 2022|archive-date=29 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829141823/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/races/1998-le-mans-24-hours/|url-status=live}} The engine ultimately proved to be Mercedes' Achilles' heel, with both cars retiring before the halfway mark.{{cite news|eissn=1553-8095|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2235956739|newspaper=The New York Times|title=PLUS: AUTO RACING – LE MANS 24 HOURS; Porsches in Control At Halfway Mark: PLUS: AUTO RACING – LE MANS 24 HOURS|date=7 June 1998|access-date=28 August 2022|id={{ProQuest|2235956739}}|archive-date=30 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830012757/https://www.proquest.com/docview/2235956739|url-status=live}} Problems with the power steering oil pump caused the CLK LM's entire lubrication system to fail, with Schneider pulling over on the pit straight on the 19th lap, and Gounon pitting a few laps later with the same problem.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2022/06/07/dsc-retro-nissan-at-le-mans-in-1997-1998-2.html|title=DSC Retro: Nissan At Le Mans In 1997 & 1998|first=John|last=Brooks|work=dailysportscar.com|date=7 June 2022|access-date=30 August 2022|archive-date=7 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607060927/https://www.dailysportscar.com/2022/06/07/dsc-retro-nissan-at-le-mans-in-1997-1998-2.html|url-status=live}}

In spite of the disappointing results, Mercedes was pleased with the pace of the CLK LM, fielding the car for the rest of the 1998 FIA GT Championship. The two cars shared pole position between them throughout the season, and won every single race, posting six 1–2 finishes.{{cite magazine|url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsgao&AN=edsgcl.53450409&site=eds-live&scope=site|access-date=28 August 2022|via=EBSCO Information Services|magazine=Road & Track|issn=0035-7189|first=Joe|last=Rusz|volume=50|issue=5|page=149|date=January 1999|title=Mercedes' win, Porsche's chagrin|url-access=registration|archive-date=30 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830012752/https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsgao&AN=edsgcl.53450409&site=eds-live&scope=site|url-status=live}} Klaus Ludwig and Ricardo Zonta captured the drivers title at the conclusion of the 1998 season, along with Mercedes-AMG collecting the constructors.{{cite web|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1790818723|access-date=30 August 2022|year=1998|title=Daimler AG – Annual Report, 1998|work=DaimlerChrysler|id={{ProQuest|1790818723}}|archive-date=30 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830012757/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1790818723|url-status=live}} Five chassis were constructed in total, with three racing chassis, and two road-legal chassis, one of which was destroyed for crash testing purposes.{{cite web|url=https://mbworld.org/articles/ultra-rare-clk-lm/|work=MBWorld|first=Cameron|last=Aubernon|title=Ultra-rare Mercedes-Benz Moves Like a Bat out of Hell|date=10 October 2018|access-date=28 August 2022|archive-date=10 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810205558/https://mbworld.org/articles/ultra-rare-clk-lm/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.classicsportleicht.com/en/Cars/Case-Studies/1998-Mercedes-Benz-CLK-LM-Strassenversion/7|title=1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK LM Straßenversion|work=Classic Sport Leicht|access-date=28 August 2022|date=5 June 1998|archive-date=24 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724175744/https://www.classicsportleicht.com/en/Cars/Case-Studies/1998-Mercedes-Benz-CLK-LM-Strassenversion/7|url-status=live}} The termination of the FIA GT Championship meant that the requirement for 25 road-legal chassis to be produced was no longer in effect, leaving the sole road-legal version produced prior to the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans the only one in existence. Later on, the spare test car (chassis No. 005) was converted for road-legal use in the United Kingdom. The road-legal conversion retained much of the race car's characteristics such as the large rear wing, with the interior being very spartan; it lacked furnishings such as upholstery or a second seat.{{cite news|title=Engines running for a fun week of cars action|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2845876531|id={{ProQuest|2845876531}}|newspaper=Weekend Australian|date=5 August 2023|access-date=7 June 2024|page=40|archive-date=7 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607093714/https://www.proquest.com/docview/2845876531|url-status=live}}

The rising costs and Mercedes' use of homologation specials caused Porsche and McLaren to withdraw from the 1999 FIA GT Championship, and seeing as Mercedes was the only entrant, the FIA opted to run the 1999 season without the GT1 class. The repetition of what happened in 1996 with the DTM and ITC forced Mercedes to turn their attention to the newly introduced Le Mans Grand Touring Prototype class, where homologation was not an issue.{{cite magazine|url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=964017&site=ehost-live|issn=0035-7189|magazine=Road & Track|title=Been there, done that|date=September 1998|volume=50|issue=1|access-date=29 August 2022|via=EBSCO Information Services|first=Joe|last=Rusz|page=152|url-access=registration|archive-date=30 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830012751/https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=964017&site=ehost-live|url-status=live}} Japanese Internet service provider MTCI planned on campaigning the CLK LM in the Japanese Grand Touring Car Championship, however, negotiations to purchase the CLK LM fell through, with MTCI eventually fielding a custom Porsche Boxster.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2020/05/13/gt1-week-the-all-japan-files.html|work=dailysportscar.com|first=R.J|last=O'Connell|title=GT1 Week: The All-Japan Files|date=13 May 2020|access-date=29 August 2022|archive-date=16 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216213532/https://www.dailysportscar.com/2020/05/13/gt1-week-the-all-japan-files.html|url-status=live}}

The LM's successor, the Mercedes-Benz CLR, inherited many features from the CLK LM; the V8 was enlarged to {{cvt|5.7|L|cuin|1|abbr=on}}, rechristened the GT 108C, and the roofline was lowered by {{cvt|10|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}, among other changes.{{cite web|url=https://rollingsteel.it/storie/mercedes-clr-quella-volte-che-la-luftwaffe-partecipo-a-le-mans/|work=rollingsteel.it|language=it|date=20 April 2021|access-date=29 August 2022|first=Filip Stefanov|last=Madjov|title=Mercedes CLR, quella volta che la Luftwaffe partecipò a Le Mans|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511140433/https://rollingsteel.it/storie/mercedes-clr-quella-volte-che-la-luftwaffe-partecipo-a-le-mans/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.automotivpress.fr/mercedes-clr-1999-pour-quelques-kilogrammes-dappui/|title=Mercedes CLR 1999, pour quelques kilogrammes d'appui…|date=8 October 2015|work=autmotivpress.fr|language=fr|first=Ambroise|last=Brosselin|access-date=29 August 2022|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917141232/https://www.automotivpress.fr/mercedes-clr-1999-pour-quelques-kilogrammes-dappui/|url-status=live}} The CLR, despite being a purpose-built Le Mans racecar, turned out to be beset by severe aerodynamic flaws that resulted in its infamous somersaults at the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans.{{cite magazine|magazine=Atlas F1|volume=7|issue=1|first=Mark Alan|last=Jones|title=The Mercedes Century Photo Album|url=http://www.atlasf1.com/2001/jan03/jones.html|date=3 January 2001|access-date=29 August 2022|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129222529/http://www.atlasf1.com/2001/jan03/jones.html|url-status=live}} Following the incidents, Mercedes withdrew from all sportscar activities in 1999 and never entered Le Mans again,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL4gMpZolsU|work=Chain Bear|via=YouTube, autosport|date=19 June 2019|title=Why the Mercedes CLRs kept taking off at Le Mans 1999 – Chain Bear explains|access-date=29 August 2022|archive-date=29 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629002825/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL4gMpZolsU|url-status=live}} with exception of customer Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo entries in the FIA WEC's LMGT3 class starting in 2025.{{cite web |last1=Jupp |first1=Ethan |title=Mercedes’ 2025 Le Mans return won’t involve an AMG One Hypercar |url=https://www.evo.co.uk/mercedes/amg-gt/207399/mercedes-2025-le-mans-return-wont-involve-an-amg-one-hypercar |website=Evo |access-date=15 March 2025 |date=20 November 2024}}

File:Mercedes CLK LM roadversion.jpg]]

The CLK LM Straßenversion or Strassenversion (German for "Street version") is the road-legal homologated version of the CLK LM. Mercedes manufactured two chassis, No. 001 and No. 002, the former of which was destroyed for crash testing purposes.

Modifications for road use included the installation of a tubular steel rollcage, the installation of a plastic front bumper similar to the one found on the CLK GTR Straßenversion, and a rear aerofoil that had a low- and high-downforce configuration.{{cite web|url=https://historicdb.fia.com/sites/default/files/car_attachment/1601084401/homologation_form_number_11_group_gt1.pdf|title=Homologation Form in Accordance With Appendix J of the International Sporting Code|date=1 July 1998|access-date=29 August 2022|work=Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile|archive-date=30 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830012751/https://historicdb.fia.com/sites/default/files/car_attachment/1601084401/homologation_form_number_11_group_gt1.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://jalopnik.com/the-mercedes-clk-lm-had-the-greatest-tacked-on-bumper-o-1821571053|work=Jalopnik|date=25 December 2017|access-date=29 August 2022|first=Raphael|last=Orlove|title=The Mercedes CLK-LM Had The Greatest Tacked-On Bumper Of All Time|archive-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918223402/https://jalopnik.com/the-mercedes-clk-lm-had-the-greatest-tacked-on-bumper-o-1821571053|url-status=live}} The road car's rear wing was also modified from the lightweight bare-bones racing wing to a wide, swooping rear wing akin to the one found on the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Straßenversion.

The car was presented at the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans alongside the CLK LM racecars, after which it was sold to a Japanese collector. The sole chassis has since made sparse appearances, resurfacing at the 2014 Rétromobile alongside two Mercedes-Benz 300 SL on display by French auction house Classic Sport Leicht, where it was purchased by a European owner.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.classicandsportscar.com/galleries/r%C3%A9tromobile-2014|magazine=Classic & Sports Car|issn=0263-3183|date=10 March 2014|first=James|last=Elliot|title=Rétromobile 2014|access-date=29 August 2022|archive-date=1 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001210215/http://www.classicandsportscar.com/galleries/r%C3%A9tromobile-2014|url-status=live}} In 2014 it was put on display in the Mercedes-Benz showroom on the Champs-Élysées in Paris as part of the "Dream Paris Stars" exhibition, alongside other rare Mercedes vehicles.{{cite web|url=https://www.autonews.fr/voiture-legende/l-exposition-dream-paris-stars-by-mercedes-inclue-une-clk-lm-et-une-300sl-52166|work=autonews|language=fr|access-date=29 August 2022|date=8 April 2014|first=Florian|last=Duchiron|title=Mercedes expose ses étolies à Paris, dont une CLK LM et une 300SL|archive-date=11 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811132935/http://www.autonews.fr/voiture-legende/l-exposition-dream-paris-stars-by-mercedes-inclue-une-clk-lm-et-une-300sl-52166|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1548007662/|id={{ProQuest|1548007662}}|title=Innovation watch: Mercedes-Benz in Paris creates an inclusive boutique|website=Retail Week|date=24 July 2014|access-date=7 June 2024|archive-date=7 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607093715/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1548007662|url-status=live}} The car would also make an appearance at the 2015 Chantilly Arts and Elegance Richard Mille, which Mercedes-Benz was sponsoring.{{cite press release|location=Stuttgart|publisher=Mercedes-Benz|url=https://group-media.mercedes-benz.com/marsMediaSite/en/instance/ko/Chantilly-Arts--Elegance-Richard-Mille-on-56-September-2015-Chantilly-brings-together-the-finest-automobiles-and-art-de-vivre-at-its-best.xhtml?oid=9920372|title=Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille on 5/6 September 2015: Chantilly brings together the finest automobiles and "art de vivre" at its best|date=26 August 2015|access-date=29 August 2022|archive-date=30 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830012757/https://group-media.mercedes-benz.com/marsMediaSite/en/instance/ko/Chantilly-Arts--Elegance-Richard-Mille-on-56-September-2015-Chantilly-brings-together-the-finest-automobiles-and-art-de-vivre-at-its-best.xhtml?oid=9920372|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://gtspirit.com/2015/09/08/rare-mercedes-benz-clk-gtr-shown-at-chantilly-2015/|work=GTSpirit|first=Brad|last=Anderson|date=8 September 2015|access-date=29 August 2022|title=Rare Mercedes-Benz CLK LM Shown at Chantilly 2015|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921192419/https://gtspirit.com/2015/09/08/rare-mercedes-benz-clk-gtr-shown-at-chantilly-2015/|url-status=live}} In 2016, the car was put up for sale through the Mercedes-Benz Museum's trading arm, All Time Stars, where it sold for €2 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.autoblog.com/2015/11/09/mercedes-benz-museum-all-time-stars-official/|work=autoblog|date=9 November 2015|first=Noah|last=Joseph|title=Mercedes-Benz Museum introduces classic car sales|access-date=30 August 2022|archive-date=26 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126221334/https://www.autoblog.com/2015/11/09/mercedes-benz-museum-all-time-stars-official/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|magazine=Contify Automotive News|date=6 October 2016|title=Motorworld Classics 2016: ALL TIME STARS Takes Stock After One Year|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1829500897|access-date=30 August 2022|id={{ProQuest|1829500897}}|archive-date=30 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830012759/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1829500897|url-status=live}}

* Despite retiring, they had completed over 75% of the race distance, and were thus classified.

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{{Motorsport driver results legend}}

Bold – Pole position
Italics – Fastest lap

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• Mercedes-Benz in motorsport

{{reflist}}

• Mercedes-Benz, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN4WzGmxpJE&t=65s Mercedes-AMG: Milestones – Episode 4: 1998], YouTube, 18 September 2017. A brief video of the CLK LM & GTR's racing history.

{{Mercedes-Benz vehicles}}

{{Mercedes-Benz Sportscar Racers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mercedes-Benz CLK LM}}

Category:Cars introduced in 1998

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