A 2005 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG that spent years tucked inside a $60 million car collection has sold for more than $300,000 at auction, a figure far exceeding the model’s typical market value of around $45,000.
The coupe, offered through Bring a Trailer, shows just 3,326 miles on the odometer after 21 years, an unusually low total that helped drive intense bidding. Its limited use and single long-term ownership added to the intrigue, but rarity and specification ultimately set it apart.
The car was originally ordered new by philanthropist and prominent collector Michael Fux, whose expansive collection includes exotic machinery such as the Pagani Huayra. In 2005, Fux paid $182,280 for the CL65 AMG. Over the years, the car remained largely preserved in a garage setting, contributing to its exceptionally low mileage and well-kept condition.
While the CL65 AMG may resemble other Mercedes coupes of its era at first glance, several details elevate this example. It is finished in Alabaster White over Java leather, a seldom-seen color combination that requires careful upkeep to maintain its appearance. Mercedes produced just 777 examples of the CL65 AMG, further underscoring its exclusivity.
Performance remains a defining feature. Beneath a carbon fiber hood sits a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 generating 604 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. The coupe is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and carries an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.
The CL65 AMG also came equipped with advanced features for its time, including Active Body Control suspension and an Electronic Stability Program. Additional amenities include bi-xenon headlights, a power sunroof, Parktronic parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, a Bose sound system, and a power-closing trunk.
Although the final sale price sits dramatically above standard market averages, the car’s rarity, specification, low mileage and provenance combined to create a result that reflects its unique place among modern Mercedes performance models.
Shawn Henry