Retirement often marks a time for relaxation, but for Johan Ackermann, it signaled the start of ambitious automotive projects. This South African Mercedes-Benz enthusiast, a Facebook community member, isn’t just restoring classics or collecting models. He’s in the midst of crafting his third full-scale replica of a legendary Le Mans prototype, and his latest creation, the Mercedes-Benz ELK GTR, is truly exceptional.
From Gran Turismo to Garage Dreams: The Genesis of the ELK GTR Mercedes
“Race cars have always been my passion,” Johan explains, detailing his journey from modifying road cars to building bespoke sports cars. His previous ventures include converting a Mercedes 280 S into a two-door convertible and constructing a sportscar based on an Audi 100. However, the virtual world of Gran Turismo ignited a new level of ambition. Inspired by the Sauber C9, a standout car in Gran Turismo 4, Johan decided to build a street-legal version as his first retirement project.
Using reference images of the Sauber C9 and a 1:32 scale model, he fabricated a robust spaceframe chassis, incorporating Mercedes suspension components and a turbocharged Mercedes V8 engine. His next project paid homage to another Le Mans icon – the BMW V12 LMR, built on a similar foundation and powered by a genuine BMW V12 engine. Yet, Johan’s heart remained with Mercedes-Benz, particularly their racing heritage. This passion led him to his most audacious project yet: a tribute to the Mercedes CLK GTR, famously known for Mark Webber’s airborne moment at the 1999 Le Mans 24 Hours.
The Unique Approach: Building a GTR Mercedes from an E-Class
“The original Gtr Mercedes was derived from a street-legal CLK coupe,” Johan notes, explaining his unconventional approach. Instead of constructing another fiberglass body on a custom chassis, he aimed to build his GTR Mercedes replica using a production car as the base. Finding a CLK proved challenging, but a local scrapyard offered a W210 E-Class and a coupe roof. Embracing the opportunity, Johan decided to utilize these components. He acknowledged that using a W210 as the foundation would inherently result in deviations from the original CLK GTR Mercedes design. However, armed with a model car and reference photos, he embarked on the ambitious build.
Johan acquired a 1998 Mercedes-Benz E280 and a separate coupe roof from the scrapyard, and his garage became the workshop for this extraordinary transformation. Under the watchful eyes of his feline supervisors, he began by removing the sedan roof and sectioning the donor car along its beltline, discarding a significant portion of the lower body.
Metal Mastery: Shaping the ELK GTR Mercedes
Johan then reassembled the body in a lower stance before integrating the coupe roof. This was far from a straightforward process. Mirroring his meticulous approach with the Sauber and BMW projects, Johan proceeded incrementally, carefully evaluating each step. Dissatisfied with any aspect, he would rework it, sometimes multiple times, until achieving his desired result before moving forward.
The body was progressively shortened, the roof was integrated, and the silhouette of his GTR Mercedes vision began to materialize. Learning through hands-on fabrication, he welded a basic bar frame to define the shape of the front fenders, shaping the metal over it. Through constant refinement – cutting, reshaping, comparing to his model and reference images – Johan meticulously sculpted the grille angle, hood, and headlight recesses to closely resemble the iconic CLK GTR Mercedes aesthetic.
Iteration and Innovation: Crafting a GTR Mercedes Tribute
Working initially on the left side, Johan encountered challenges with the first fender, finding it too low and flat. He rectified this by cutting, raising, and adding more curvature to the top. He also refined the door line and fabricated custom GTR Mercedes-style light inserts and bumper side vents. The creation of the prominent rear wing demanded considerable time and effort. Moving to the right side, he utilized templates from the completed left side, relishing every moment of the metal fabrication process.
“The beauty of working with metal is the immediate progress, unlike the drying time associated with fiberglass,” Johan explains. “Sharing my progress on Facebook and social media also provides immense motivation, with friends offering feedback and suggestions.” One such suggestion led to a closer examination of the taillights, resulting in a repositioning for improved accuracy.
Detail and Dedication: Perfecting the GTR Mercedes Form
Over an Easter weekend, Johan dedicated himself to achieving symmetry and balance in the front fenders, requiring four iterations to finalize the right fender to match the left. He then turned his attention to finer details, crafting the roof intake but encountering a discrepancy with the windscreen frame. A minor inaccuracy in his reference model conflicted with photographic evidence. Undeterred, Johan spent three days modifying the A-pillars to resolve the issue, also incorporating aftermarket motorcycle mirrors.
The intricate rear engine cover and side louvers were meticulously fabricated from metal, while the bumpers were constructed from fiberglass. Further modifications included lowering the seat mounts, adjusting the steering column angle, and repositioning the brake booster to allow for a lower hood line. Johan’s persistence culminated in a significant milestone on his birthday – completing the basic metalwork, ready for bodywork finishing and primer.
The Finishing Touches: Bringing the ELK GTR Mercedes to Life
Driven by perfectionism, Johan continued to refine smaller details, including panel and side gap adjustments. He sourced a radiator grille and taillights that closely matched the original CLK GTR Mercedes, enhancing the visual authenticity. Despite being based on a W210 E-Class, inherent differences from the C-Class-based CLK GTR Mercedes were inevitable. The rear overhang is slightly longer, and the rear hood opening is generously sized to accommodate engine installation. Once satisfied with the overall proportions, Johan applied the final silver paint and clear coat.
Power and Future Plans: The V12 Heart of the ELK GTR Mercedes
Regarding the powertrain, Johan acquired a 6-liter Mercedes M120 V12 engine, currently considering gearbox options, leaning towards an automatic transmission for improved daily driving. Meanwhile, Muhammed from 4 Aces Scrapyard generously provided brake calipers, SLK seats, black carpets, front door panels, and a complete dashboard.
The Ongoing Evolution: Refining the Vision of the GTR Mercedes
Johan’s pursuit of perfection continues. He believes the front end should be elongated and intends to extend it by 4 inches, adjusting the grille and headlight angles to soften the fender curves and overall aesthetic. Plans also include shortening the rear section and refining the hood and rear quarter panels.
“I am thrilled,” Johan concludes. “My ‘ugly duckling’ has become a gem. Taking a chance, I dared to dream and hoped to create something special from that old W210. The result, now known as the ELK GTR Mercedes, is truly unique and remarkably close to the CLK GTR Mercedes, enough to cause a double-take when it drives by, roaring with the sound of that Mercedes M120 V12!”
An Unexpected Outcome: From W210 to GTR Mercedes Inspiration
“What makes this build so rewarding is the initial uncertainty of the outcome. While aiming for the CLK GTR Mercedes essence, I didn’t fully anticipate achieving such a close resemblance!” Johan reflects. “Of course, there are aspects I could have improved, but I am incredibly proud of the result.”
“My sincere thanks to my friends and social media community for their unwavering support throughout this build. I aim to have the ELK GTR Mercedes completed and running by the end of the year.”
Follow Johan’s ongoing progress with his ELK GTR here.
Photos: Johan Ackerman
