The C208 CLK55 is prized as one of the last cars built entirely in the AMG factory before AMG was fully integrated into Mercedes for 2003. Enthusiasts describe it as a 'true AMG' from before the merger and note the W208 body was only used for this generation of the 55.
Pre-merger, hand-built AMG provenance ('last true AMG')
Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMG (C208) · history