The only Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR in Brazil is going for the United States

The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR is one of the most iconic cars in the history of Mercedes, the world Endurance and 1990s were only made 26 street units to homologate the racing version, even more rare, with only 7 copies. But despite its rarity, one of them lived in Brazil in the late 1990s and the beginning of this week. Yes: he lived. As she left.

The model was brought in late 1990 by Alcides Diniz, a famous Sao Paulo businessman who died in 2006. Diniz was passionate about cars and racing. So in love that he built the racecourse of Capuava on his farm. There also created the Capuava Racing and formed a collection of cars the envy of many famous collectors. How about a Bugatti EB110? Or a Lister Storm? Or an Aston Martin DB9R? And a CLK DTM? These were just some of the Diniz cars.

The car next to the Pontiac Trans Am Indy 500 Pace Car Emerson Fittipaldi.

The highlight was the same Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, a racing version equipped with a V12 engine variation M120, prepared by AMG and named LS600. The power was about 630 hp, according to the regulations of the GT1 category of the time. The car was used in the national motorsport events, and who saw the V12 howling at the straight entrance Interlagos says it’s a visual memory and sound hard to forget.

After Diniz’s death, the family had no intention of preserving the collection - more than money, a collection of this size requires personal dedication - and sold gradually. Reportedly (and how far was found) the car was purchased by a Brazilian collector and until August was kept in the museum Jorm at the Interlagos circuit. A few weeks ago he was taken back to the garage owner before finally being sold.

Details of this type of transaction are always very sensitive, but it is estimated that the model has been sold to an American collector for about $ 2 million - a relatively low value for a CLK GTR Race Car. The photos that illustrate this post were made during the car shipping at Viracopos airport in Campinas, and were sent by Whatsapp. The image above shows the company’s label responsible for car transportation to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). From there the car will go to the United Arab Emirates.

Of course, it is sad to know that one of the most iconic supercars ever produced sped by and is now going to another country. But in a way, it makes sense: keep a car this in Brazil is less and less sense to the situation of race tracks and national and our motorsport. race cars were made to speed up the slopes.

Text made by Leonardo Contesini from Flatout.com
Photos by Gabriel Elero
Original publication can be seen here: https://www.flatout.com.br/o-unico-mercedes-benz-clk-gtr-do-brasil-esta-indo-embora/

I only translate from Portuguese to English.