The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR was a monster of a car in the late 1990s. Just 26 of the $1 million 622-horsepower, V12 homologation specials were ever made. Given that they’re legendary and extremely expensive now, most of us will probably never have one. Unless we build one ourselves, which is exactly what one South African man is doing in his garage.
Johan Ackermann has been slowly putting together his version of a CLK GTR in his garage and documenting the process on Facebook. When I say his version, it’s because Ackermann isn’t exactly building a CLK GTR; he calls his creation the ELK GTR.
The build started life as a W210 generation E -Class. Ackermann gutted it, lowered the roof/pillars it into the body and added widebody fenders front and rear.
For the last year or so he’s slowly turned the car into the CLK GTR copy you see here. From Facebook posts and a YouTube video update from the beginning of the year, the exterior looks largely done. Not only that, it looks good with a paint finish that looks as if it could be from the factory. The rear bumper remains unpainted and while he’s fitted some seats inside, the interior is largely unfinished.
The best part about this build could be the engine. Recent Facebook posts show Ackermann wants to fit Mercedes’ M120 V12 engine into the ELK. Given the body, some modifications need to be made such as flywheel and clutch modifications. He’s also planning to pair the engine with a six-speed transmission from Audi. It’s great work from a man that seems to know what he’s doing.
This isn’t Ackermann’s first go round with something like this. He’s made project replicas before such as a Sauber C9 and Mercedes C11 replicas. If he pulls this latest ELK GTR project off, it should be pretty damn impressive.