The 2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 arrived during the Daimler-Chrysler “merger of equals,” when Mercedes thought Chrysler would help them understand the American market. But, as it turns out, Mercedes didn’t need Chrysler in the first place. In this week’s episode of Regular Car Reviews, we’ll talk about the luxury car that catfished America, because while the CLK430 wasn’t an E-Class, it sure looked like one. Powered by a real Mercedes V8 and built on familiar Mercedes hardware, the CLK430 succeeded not because of Chrysler’s presence, but because of their complete lack of participation in any aspect of its creation. Let’s talk about 2000s luxury, merger-era weirdness, and the last gasp of Mercedes acting on instinct instead of focus groups.