One to Buy: ex-works 1995 AMG Mercedes-Benz W202 C-class DTM Class 1
/
The 1995 DTM and concurrent ITC series were three-way factory battles between Mercedes-Benz (with its W202-based C-class), Alfa Romeo (with the spectacular 155 V6 Ti) and Opel (Calibra V6 4x4). Although each resembled the production offerings upon which they were ostensibly based, under the skin these Class 1 racers took Touring Cars back to the epic Silhouette era. Like then, the big money DTM / ITC series also attracted top names as F1 stars mixed with the best professional Sports and Touring car pedallers.
Ultimately, thanks to its AMG and Zakspeed partnerships, Mercedes dominated the 1995 Class 1 scene. AMG man Bern Schneider won a third of the races in that year’s DTM en route to the championship. He ended up 25 points clear of AMG team-mate, Jorg van Ommen, who claimed the runner up spot. Schneider also won more than half the races in the 1995 ITC to become its first champion. Another AMG driver (Jan Magnussen) was second while van Ommen placed fifth.
On November 20th, Jorg van Ommen’s Class 1 W202 from that 1995 campaign will be going under the hammer during RM Sotheby’s sale in Munich.
One of seven ‘95-specification C-class DTM cars built by AMG Mercedes, chassis RS95-0216 was driven exclusively by van Ommen in the 1995 DTM / ITC series. That year, the German ace was a model of consistency, achieving podium finishes at Hockenheim, Norisring, Donington Park, Diepholz, and Magny-Cours.
According to RM Sotheby’s: “Following an abortive single entry for the 1996 ITC, chassis RS95-0216 was then retired from service and thereafter displayed at the Wilhelm Maybach Technical School in Stuttgart until 2014. It was subsequently acquired by DTM enthusiast Jorg Hatscher, who entrusted it to marque specialist Thorsten Stadler for restoration.
Since completion, the C-Klasse has competed in a handful of DTM revival events in the hands of former DTM driver Patrick Huisman and van Ommen himself. Immaculately presented in its correct 1995-specification UPS/Tabac/Sonax livery, this spectacular ex-Works Mercedes-Benz is a prime contender for future entry to the ever-popular DTM revival and young-timer events for which it is eligible.”
