Rare coupe hits auction
A rare Mercedes-Benz car, of which only 40 have been built in right-hand drive, will go under the hammer next month and is expected to fetch between $550,000 and $700,000.
The CLK DTM AMG Coupe once belonged to internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom and is among the lots for Webb’s Collectors’ Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia auction in Auckland on April 6.
Only 100 such coupes have been produced by the German luxury marque. Of those, only 40 come in right-hand drive configuration.
High-profile owners of the coveted model include former Formula 1 drivers Jenson Button, Kimi Raikkonen and Takuma Sato.
The car was designed and built by the elite racing department HWA AG to commemorate Mercedes-Benz’s win at the 2003 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) racing series.
The road-going vehicle features a supercharged 5.4-litre V8 unit that can deliver 582bhp. It is paired with a five-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission, is capable of a top speed of 322kph and can clock 0-100kph in 3.9 seconds.
Inside, the coupe maintains its race-track pedigree with carbon fibre and aluminum accents.
Webb’s says the vehicle is presented in exceptional condition and is a rare opportunity to acquire one of AMG’s “most exclusive and exhilarating creations”.
It has 21,000km on the odometer, has been serviced annually and been kept in dry, temperature-controlled storage for several years.
“This car formed part of New Zealand-based internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom’s collection,” the auction house adds.
“He has put together some of the most coveted high-performance vehicles in the world, reflecting his love for speed and engineering excellence.
“Dotcom’s penchant for rare and exotic automobiles has seen him amass a fleet that includes everything from supercars to custom-built machines.”
Also for sale at the same auction is a 2021 McLaren GT, with a price estimate of $250,000-$275,000, and a 1965 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 FHC, pictured below, which is tipped to fetch between $180,000 and $220,000.
The vehicles in the sale will be on view at Webb’s Mount Eden Gallery from April 2-6, with the live auction scheduled for 2.30pm on Sunday, April 6. To see the full catalogue, click here.
