Estimated Price: £400,000 - £500,000

At the dawn of the 2000s, AMG, the famed division of Mercedes-Benz dedicated to crafting the most exclusive and high-performance cars, seemed to be an inexhaustible wellspring of extraordinary sports vehicles. Following the mighty CL, SL, and S 65 AMG, as well as the SL and E 55 AMG, the Affalterbach workshop unveiled an even more exclusive model, the CLK DTM AMG.

In 2002 and 2003, the AMG-Mercedes team proved unbeatable in the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters), the German Touring Car Championship. After transitioning from the W208 generation to the W209 for the 2003 DTM, Bernd Schneider drove his CLK DTM AMG to the Drivers' Championship title in 2003 with the team winning 9 out of 10 races! It was following these two highly successful seasons that AMG suggested to Mercedes management that it would make sense to commemorate that success with a road-going version of their race-winning AMG cars. The entire team embraced the concept enthusiastically and official AMG drivers completed over 30,000km of testing on both roads and circuits to perfect the latest "Silver Arrow", the CLK DTM AMG. A limited and numbered series of just 100 were built (an additional 80 convertible models were later introduced) and, despite an asking price of €243,386 in November 2004, were snapped up by enthusiasts and collectors.

The DTM road version actually produced more horsepower than its famous Vodaphone-liveried race cousin generating a substantial 582bhp from its 5439cc M113 90° V8, force-fed air through the twin-screw Roots-type supercharger and intercooler mated to a robust 5-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT automatic with steering wheel paddles, capable of very rapid gearchanges or a seamless smooth operation for daily driving.  

Height-adjustable spring/shock absorber units are fitted all round and the suspension bushes are stiffer, while the DTM's redesigned rear suspension owes little to that of the standard CLK. There are also bigger and stronger AMG composite brakes and a bespoke Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) helps keep everything under control, aided by a mechanical limited-slip differential. Weighing just 1,742kg, 62mph arrives in an impressive 3.9 seconds and the rev-limiter squeaks 'enough' at 199mph.

The car's aggressive styling was modelled on Bernd Schneider's Championship-winning car and its deep front apron, large air intake ducts, prominently flared wheelarches, boot-mounted rear wing and large-diameter (19" front/20" rear) alloy wheels are all elements developed from the DTM cars. Like its racing counterpart, the road car makes liberal use of carbon fibre for its body panels, while the interior is unmistakably that of a competition car, albeit one trimmed and equipped to Mercedes-Benz's highest standards. Carbon fibre is also used for much of the interior fittings including the lightweight leather/Alcantara trimmed bucket seats, while the rim of the AMG sports steering wheel is covered in high-grip buckskin. There are no rears seats in the CLK DTM AMG, which is strictly a two-seater. The instrumentation consists of a digital rev counter, white-faced '220mph' speedometer, and oil and water temperature gauges, while the CLK's COMAND 'infotainment' system is retained. An aluminium plinth on the centre console surrounding the gear selector is engraved 'CLK DTM One out of 100', and there are 'AMG' logos to the door kick-plates.

Not surprisingly, among the 100 lucky owners of these coveted track-focused, limited-editions were a number of notable F1 drivers including Kimi Raikkonen, Takumo Sato, and our own Jensen Button.

Delivered new to Jenson Button on Jersey in December 2004, this CLK DTM has a perfect timeline. It was retained by him until 2019 when it was sold to a Japanese collector who has now entrusted its sale to Iconic Auctioneers. The history file contains the Guernsey Registration Certificate in Jenson Button's name and the Mercedes-Benz AMG Milton Keynes - European Conformity Technical data sheet.  There are service invoices at 4,519km, 5,054km and 9,659km before its export to Japan in 2019. The speedometer reading was 18,114km (11,321 miles) when recently photographed and the car is supplied with its unique CLK DTM owners wallet, two keys, full tool kit, tyre compressor, oil filter and first aid kit.

Although badged AMG these incredible DTM Coupes were built by the Mercedes-Benz racing department HWA AG and are extremely sought after, made more so with the provenance of an  F1 World Champion's cherished ownership.

Please note, if the car remains in the UK import VAT at 20% and import duty at 10% will be payable by the buyer. The vehicle will also be subject to the first year Vehicle Excise Duty charge.