• One of eight CLK DTM chassis constructed by AMG for the 2000 DTM season
• One of four Works cars campaigned by the HWA Team of AMG founder, Hans Werner Aufrecht
• Driven in the 2000 DTM season by subsequent three-time Le Mans winner, Marcel Fässler
• Achieved six podium finishes en route to 4th in the end-of-season Championship standings
• Immaculately presented in its original Warsteiner AMG Mercedes-Benz livery

After a hiatus of three years, the popular DTM series returned to the calendar in 2000. Eschewing the high-tech, driver-aid assisted machinery of its previous incarnation in favour of a 4.0-litre V-8-powered silhouette formula, the season was contested across nine weekends, each featuring two 100-kilometre races. Both Mercedes-Benz and Opel committed to entering eight cars, with Audi fielding a further four.

The Mercedes-Benz effort was split between four cars from the Works HWA Team, and two cars each from the semi-Works Persson and Rosberg outfits. HWA, in turn, sub-divided its operations into two parallel squads. The first ran two D2 Telekom-sponsored cars for DTM legend Bernd Schneider and Thomas Jäger, the second fielding two Warsteiner-backed behemoths for three-time Le Mans winner Klaus Ludwig, and emerging Swiss talent Marcel Fässler. It is the car of the latter, chassis RS00-05, that is offered here.

Fässler enjoyed a stellar start to the year, scoring two 2nd-place finishes behind Schneider on the opening weekend at Hockenheim, prior to a 3rd place at Oschersleben. Two further 3rd-place finishes followed at the Nürburgring in August, with a 2nd place in the penultimate round of the Championship—also held at the illustrious Eifel circuit—securing Fässler 4th place in the end-of-season standings. Significantly, Fässler would only be bettered by series Champion Schneider, the Opel-mounted Manuel Reuter and Ludwig: exalted company indeed.

Following the 2000 season, chassis RS00-05 was retained by Mercedes-Benz for promotional purposes until its sale to Czech collector and motorsport entrepreneur Antonín Charouz. The present owner acquired the car from Mr. Charouz in 2013, its cumulative mileage at that point registering barely 2,500 kilometres. In its current ownership, the car has been regularly serviced and its six-speed Xtrac gearbox, clutch, and water pump all renewed. A further 1,065 kilometres has been covered during this time, for a cumulative total of approximately 3,500 kilometres.

Immaculately presented in its famous Warsteiner livery, chassis RS00-05 represents a highly significant example of one of the all-time DTM “greats”, boasting just three owners and an enviable maintenance record. As such, it would be an ideal and highly competitive entry into the burgeoning Tourenwagen Legenden series, not to mention a spectacular vehicle with which to participate in demonstration events or private test sessions.

Please note that this lot is subject to VAT on the full purchase price (both on the hammer price and commission).

Veuillez noter que ce lot est soumis à une TVA assise sur son prix d'achat total (prix d'adjudication + commission).

To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/pa23.