South African Johan Ackermann took the internet by storm last summer, building superb Mercedes Benz supercars from scratch.
South Africa native and Aircraft Mechanic Johan Ackermann reached widespread popularity last summer where his homemade Mercedes Benz CLK-GTR “broke” the internet amongst car enthusiasts, garnering widespread attention that started as an unassuming W210 E-Class.
However, this wasn’t his first foray as a supercar builder. In 2016, Johan was featured as a guest on the second episode of the Grand Tour, where he wow’d Jeremy Clarkson and company with his Sauber-Mercedes C9 replica, based on the car that won both the 1989 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the 1988 World Sportscar Championship. What impressed the cast the most, is that this replica was based solely off of a 1:32 scale model, in which Ackermann expanded the proportions of the toy to build the life-sized version. The body and frame were designed and fabricated by Johan, himself, showcasing an attention to detail and an incredible craftsmanship that set him apart from other builders all over the world. But the C9 doesn’t only have looks going for it, the replica has the powerplant bolstered by a 3.2 L Twin Turbo V6 making around 320 horsepower in a build that weighs a mere 2,200 lbs.
Top: Johan's completed C9 Replica. Bottom: The scale model used to produce the real-life proportions.
His next project was to tackle the CLK-GTR, the 1997 FIA GT1 Champion, that would grace bedroom posters and racing video games well into the 21st Century. What is truly unique is Johan’s jumping off platform is not a 1997 CLK Roadster, but a W210 E-Class sedan. Everything from the frame the “ELK” would sit on, to its chopped. sloping roof, and nearly all of its panels were custom fabricated and welded together by the man himself. The powerplant of choice for the ELK-GTR was the mighty M120 V12, an engine readily found in S-Class’ of the 90s and would later evolve into the actual CLK-GTR’s engine after being tuned by AMG. Just like the real thing, this V12 would be mid mounted among its chassis, and would provide over 400 horsepower through an automatic transmission.
I had the opportunity to speak to Johan over Facebook a few weeks ago, and I wanted to see if there was any update on his CLK-GTR replica since it hit the internet last summer.
1. The Mercedes first got widespread news attention in Summer of 2023. How has the car changed since then?
I hope to add a few more details once the engine is in and running. I hope to have it fully complete by the end of 2024.
Top: The real CLK-GTR. Top: The real CLK-GTR. Bottom: Johan's "ELK" replica as it stands today.
2. You've done multiple replica builds now, any hints about what you'd like to do in the future?
Hopefully my next project will be a CLK GTR Roadster.
Only 6 real examples of the CLK GTR Roadster were ever created from its coupe counterpart, and involved relocating intakes, adding a rollbar, and changing both the grill and rear wing. One of the real life versions belongs to the Sultan of Brunei.
3. What would you say to someone thinking about building their own car from the ground up?
You need to start with something small because it is a huge challenge, and most projects never get completed.
4. A lot of critics (unfairly) compare your work to fiberglass kit cars, while yours are fabricated from the ground up. What are some of the many other challenges that you face compared to a kit car?
I think building a kit car is more like assembling a model – very little designing and planning the unknown. All my cars have been built using a scale model as a reference. Designing and planning the work ahead is much more complicated and challenging.
5. Your appearance on The Grand Tour was nearly 8 years ago, how has life or building cars changed at all since then?
My appearance on the Grand Tour was an awesome experience. It obviously made a lot more people aware of my work. But honestly, I remain focused on what I enjoy doing and hope to build a few more.
Johan has already presold the GTR, and those interested in their own version should contact him directly. He is an inspiration to car enthusiasts all over the world, and I am happy to have had the opportunity to speak to him directly on social media. To follow what he does next, check out his YouTube page here.
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