Undiscovered Stars

The AMG variants of the first generation C208 and A208 CLK-Class coupe and cabriolet models were produced only for a couple of model years and in relatively low numbers. Their good looks stem from an early 1990s Mercedes design concept completed under the watchful eye of design director Bruno Sacco. They offer impressive performance, which can be linked to their successful racing car cousins that gave Mercedes racing victories in European GT1 class racing as well as three production car championship titles in the German Touring Car Masters (DTM) series. Original, unmolested survivors aren’t easy to find today. Examples with low miles are even more rare.

A powerful V-8 engine, massaged by AMG along with suspension tuning fit for a race track, means the CLK is a blast to drive. The best part? They haven’t become overly expensive, even in the current, rather price-bloated, enthusiast car market. It is for all of these reasons why today is the right time to catch one of these rising stars at a reasonable price before the market catches on to their charms.

The CLK origin story

The CLK-Class premiered at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 1997, but the beginnings of the series can be traced back to a four-seat coupe concept unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 1993. This auto show design study laid out various design cues that would appear on Mercedes-Benz cars for the next 15 years or more. Most notably, this concept coupe introduced the twin-headlamp look that first appeared in production with the new 1996 E-Class.

When the CLK Class was unveiled in Detroit in 1997 the similarity to the 1993 design concept was unmistakable. Bruno Sacco was asked about the similarities, and explained, “We are not trying to create a crazy demonstration car packed with nonsensical showmanship that causes short-term astonishment, but then disappears into oblivion after only a few motor shows.” They were introducing a future design direction and a real car.

Based on the W202 model C-Class of the mid-to-late 1990s, the CLK also represented a new class name for Mercedes-Benz. The CLK essentially took the place of the W124-based E-Class coupe and cabriolet in the Mercedes-Benz product line, which were last offered for the 1995 model year.

I think the name “CLK” was always confusing for customers. Were they buying an entry-level C-Class with the price tag of an E-Class? That confusion persisted with the second generation CLK class cars (2003 – 2009). Ultimately in 2010, with the introduction of the new E-Class, the CLK moniker was dropped and the E-Class coupe and cabriolet returned, despite the fact they were still built on the existing C-Class platform.

AMG Performance

CLK coupe and convertible sales were brisk in the late 1990s, so for the 2001 model year an AMG-modified variant was introduced as the CLK55 AMG Coupe. As usual, AMG took the already impressive package in the CLK430 V-8 and worked it over to make a proper performance car.

Displacement of the stock V-8 was increased from 4266 cc to 5439 cc by installing a forged crankshaft that lengthened the stroke by 8 mm. In addition to the crankshaft, forged connecting rods and pistons were installed and coupled with a larger intake manifold. Modified cylinder heads topped lighter AMG camshafts and stiffer valve springs. All of that gave the CLK55 AMG 342 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. The standard driveline was beefed up with a heavier four-bolt driveshaft and attached to a quicker final-drive rear axle. The transmission was the standard 5 speed unit with no internal modifications.

Under the car, special AMG springs with re-valved shocks, larger anti-roll bars and stiffer suspension bushings kept the CLK55 AMG flat through the corners. Standard CLK430 brakes were replaced front and rear with larger AMG vented discs to provide additional stopping power.

All that performance came at a price. The base price of the 2001 CLK Coupe was just over $68,000 (including transportation and destination charges), the CLK430 Coupe cost just over $50,000.

The CLK55 Cabriolet

In 2002 the CLK55 AMG Cabriolet was offered alongside the coupe, representing the highest performance, open four-seater that Mercedes had ever offered. Due to an upcoming body style change, 2002 was the only model year for the first-generation CLK55 AMG Cabriolet. The 2002 Cabriolet had a base price of over $80,000 (including gas guzzler tax and transport), almost $11,000 more than the coupe.

In 2003 the second generation CLK Coupe, the W209, was built with a new body style based on the newer W203 C-Class. This is where things gets a little confusing, so stick with me. For the 2003 model year Mercedes dealer show floors had the new body style W209 CLK coupes sitting next to the original W208 style CLK Cabriolets, however, the CLK55 AMG wasn’t available as a cabriolet, only the six-cylinder CLK320 and standard V-8 CLK430 Cabriolet models were available. 

Optional Equipment, Special Editions

CLK55 AMG Coupes and Cabriolets were very well equipped with standard features, resulting in only a few available options. Standard equipment included multi-contour heated front seats, Xenon headlamps, and there was no additional charge for metallic paint. Cabriolets received rain sensing wipers as well. The only available options were a COMAND navigation system and two different Motorola Time Port Phone options, both of which came with a six-disc CD changer in the trunk. Because these two options incorporate largely obsolete technology they don’t have any real bearing on the resale values of the cars available today.

There were two Designo Edition packages available. These were cosmetic packages offered as essentially dealer options. As a result, it’s hard to know how many customers opted for these editions and just how many are out there. The two Designo packages included:

·      Espresso Edition: Designo mocha black metallic paint, charcoal interior with light brown nappa leather and natural maple wood trim. Charcoal floor mats with light brown leather trim, Black soft top on cabriolets.

·      Cashmere Edition: Designo cashmere metallic paint. Charcoal interior with pebble grey Nappa leather and auburn maple wood trim. Charcoal floor mats with pebble grey leather trim. Black soft top on cabriolets.

The Market

I’m always careful when I use the word rare, because everyone has a different idea of what rare really is. I haven’t been able to find a credible source for true production figures of W208 CLK55 cars, but I don’t think I’m going too far out on a limb by calling them rare, especially when compared to other Mercedes specialty models of the same period. The fact that, as of this writing, there have been only 10 auctions for these cars on Bring a Trailer and only seven on Cars and Bids, proves the point.

Prices generally range between $15,000 to $30,000, depending upon mileage, ownership, and maintenance history. You might find some specialty dealer somewhere with a low-miles car asking what looks like three times the market price, but don’t fall for such pricing just yet. There is no better place to figure the real price for a great example of one of these cars than on one of the well-known online auction platforms.

I’m surprised we haven’t seen the first-generation CLK55 AMG realize higher prices. They’re exclusive, good looking, powerful, fun to drive, and generally robust and reliable. Mercedes coupes have a long history of doing well as collector cars, once they’re old enough to be appreciated after their long downhill depreciation slide. All of these CLK models are 20 years old at this point, right about the time collectors and enthusiasts start catching on to a once overlooked model.