Retirement often signals a time for relaxation, perhaps indulging in hobbies like model car collecting or leisurely drives in a classic sports car. However, Johan Ackermann, a car enthusiast from Johannesburg, South Africa, took a vastly different route. Five years into his retirement, Johan is nearing completion on his most ambitious project yet: a full-sized, V12-powered Mercedes-Benz he affectionately calls the “ELK GTR,” a unique homage to the legendary Mercedes Gtr lineage. This isn’t Johan’s first foray into recreating iconic Le Mans racers, but as you’ll discover, this Mercedes GTR build is truly in a league of its own.
From Granturismo Dreams to Garage Reality: The Birth of a Mercedes GTR Vision
“Race cars have always been my passion,” Johan explains, recounting his history of modifying road cars. “I’ve transformed an old Mercedes 280 S into a two-door convertible, and my first scratch-built sports car was based on an Audi 100.” However, it was the digital realm that sparked his most ambitious ideas. “The Sauber C9 in Gran Turismo 4 was incredibly inspiring. It was such a thrill to drive in the game, that I decided to build my own street-legal version as a retirement project.”
This initial project paved the way for more ambitious undertakings. Johan’s next creation was a recreation of the Le Mans-winning BMW V12 LMR, built with similar techniques and even featuring a genuine BMW V12 engine. But Johan’s heart truly belonged to Mercedes-Benz, particularly their racing heritage. This passion led him to his most audacious project yet: a tribute to the iconic Mercedes CLK GTR, famously known for Mark Webber’s dramatic aerial moment at the 1999 Le Mans 24 Hours. This time, however, Johan aimed for something different, something uniquely his own Mercedes GTR interpretation.
The W210 E-Class Transformation: Building a Mercedes GTR from the Unexpected
“The original GTR was derived from a street-legal CLK coupe,” Johan notes, explaining his approach to the ELK GTR. “So, instead of another fiberglass body on a spaceframe, I decided to build my GTR using a production car chassis.” Finding a suitable CLK proved challenging, but a local scrapyard presented an unlikely donor: a W210 E-Class along with a coupe roof. “I thought, why not? Let’s use that,” Johan chuckled. He acknowledged the inherent differences between a W210 and the CLK-based original Mercedes GTR. “It could never be an exact replica using a W210 base, but I embraced the challenge, found a model car and reference pictures, and just started.”
Armed with his model and reference images, Johan ventured to the scrapyard, rescuing a 1998 Mercedes-Benz E280, destined for scrap, and the coupe roof. Back in his garage, under the watchful eyes of his feline supervisors, the transformation began. Johan started by removing the sedan roof and strategically cutting the donor car around its beltline, removing a significant portion of the lower sheet metal.
Metal Mastery: Shaping the Mercedes ELK GTR Silhouette
Johan then skillfully spliced the body back together, effectively lowering the car’s stance, before carefully fitting the coupe roof. This was far from a straightforward process. As with his previous Sauber and BMW projects, Johan adopted a meticulous, step-by-step approach, constantly evaluating his progress. Unsatisfied with any aspect, he would rework it, sometimes multiple times, until he achieved his desired result.
With the body shortened and the roof in place, the Mercedes GTR silhouette began to take shape, fueling Johan’s enthusiasm. Employing his metalworking skills, he constructed a basic bar frame to define the front fender shape, then meticulously shaped the metal over it. Through a process of continuous refinement – stopping, observing, cutting, reshaping, and comparing to his reference model – Johan painstakingly perfected the angles of the grille, hood, and headlights to capture the essence of the real CLK GTR.
Perseverance Pays Off: Achieving Mercedes GTR-esque Perfection
Working initially on the left side, Johan encountered challenges. The first attempt at the fender resulted in a shape that was too low and flat. Undeterred, he cut, raised, and reshaped it, adding more curvature to the top. He also refined the door line and fabricated his own GTR-style light insert and bumper side vent. The rear wing, a defining feature of the Mercedes GTR, demanded considerable time and effort. Moving to the right side, Johan used templates from the completed left side, relishing every moment of cutting, grinding, and welding.
“The beauty of metal fabrication is the immediacy,” Johan explains. “Unlike fiberglass, there’s no waiting for drying time, allowing for quicker progress.” He also found motivation in sharing his build journey on social media. “Feedback from friends online, with suggestions and comments, was invaluable. For instance, someone pointed out an inaccuracy in the taillight design. Upon closer inspection, I agreed, corrected it, and now it looks spot on.”
A Labor of Love: Detailing the Mercedes ELK GTR Tribute
Working through weekends, Johan meticulously refined the front fender symmetry, balancing it with the opposite side, before moving onto finer details. He crafted the roof intake but discovered a discrepancy with the windscreen frame, a subtle error in his reference model. Within days, Johan rectified the A-pillars, resolving the issue while also adding aftermarket motorcycle mirrors.
Next came the intricate rear engine cover and side louvers, fashioned from metal, and the bumpers, constructed from fiberglass. Further modifications included lowering the seat mounts, adjusting the steering angle, and relocating the brake booster to allow for a lower hood line. Johan’s dedication culminated in a productive day where he completed the core metalwork, marking his birthday with the car ready for smoothing and primer.
Fine Tuning and the Roar of a V12 Mercedes GTR Dream
Never one to settle, Johan continued to refine smaller details, including panel and side gap adjustments. He also sourced the correct radiator grille and taillights to further enhance the Mercedes GTR resemblance. Despite the W210 E-Class underpinnings, inevitable deviations from the original C-Class based GTR existed, such as a longer rear overhang. However, the rear hood opening was intentionally designed to be large enough for engine access. Satisfied with the overall proportions, Johan finally applied the silver paint and clear coat.
Turning his attention to power, Johan acquired a 6-liter Mercedes M120 V12 engine, contemplating the ideal gearbox pairing – leaning towards an automatic for enhanced daily driving comfort. Meanwhile, Muhammed at 4 Aces Scrapyard generously provided brake calipers, SLK seats, black carpets, front door panels, and a complete dashboard, further contributing to the project.
Ongoing Refinements and the Anticipation of a V12 Mercedes GTR on the Road
Johan’s pursuit of perfection continues. He believes the nose should be lengthened and plans to extend the front end by 4 inches, adjusting the grille and headlight angles to soften the fender curves. He also intends to refine the rear proportions, further aligning the ELK GTR closer to his vision.
“I’m thrilled,” Johan concludes. “My ‘ugly duckling’ has become a gem. Taking a chance on an old W210, I hoped something special would emerge, and the ELK GTR has surpassed expectations. It’s unique, and while not an exact Mercedes CLK GTR replica, it’s certainly close enough to turn heads and ignite curiosity when it hits the road, powered by the glorious sound of that Mercedes M120 V12!”
An Unexpected Masterpiece: The Mercedes ELK GTR Surprise
“What’s truly special about this build is the element of surprise,” Johan reflects. “I started without a clear picture of the final outcome, aiming for a close resemblance to the CLK GTR, but the result is even closer than I anticipated! Of course, there are areas I could have improved, but overall, I’m ecstatic.”
“I’m deeply grateful for the incredible support from friends and online communities throughout this journey. I’m aiming to have the ELK GTR completed and running by the end of the year.”
Follow Johan’s ongoing progress with his ELK GTR here: Johan Ackermann’s Facebook Profile
Photos: Johan Ackerman
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Tags: Mercedes GTR, DIY Car Build, Custom Mercedes
