Mercedes-Benz made only 28 AMG CLK GTR Strassenversions. These cars were offered to the public as the homologation version of the company's GT1 racing car, which would go on to dominate the sports car class in 1997. Of those 28 cars, two were prototypes, 20 were coupes, and just six were roadsters. Less than a handful of GTRs made it to the USA after Mercedes-Benz decided not to bother even attempting to comply with US safety and emission regulations. The cars that made it to the USA were imported under the Show and Display exemption legislation.Not surprisingly, the CLK GTR costs a pretty penny. Expect to pay around $10 million for a coupe, and about $13 million for one of the six roadsters. This is why one Mercedes-Benz fan decided to build his very own GTR tribute. This is the amazing story of how 70-year-old Johan Ackermann spent two-and-a-half years turning his dream into a beautiful, 500-hp reality. One man, one GTR dream Johan AckermannJohan Ackermann owns a company specializing in air-conditioning systems for airliners. He also has a thing for cars. But instead of building a project Lotus 7, like any other car nut, Johan likes his cars exclusive and bespoke. About three years ago, he decided to build a tribute version of the iconic Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK GTR Strassenversions.Johan acquired a Mercedes-Benz E-Class rolling chassis, and set about turning the family saloon into a unique sports car that would stop the traffic. The saloon body was discarded, and Johan and a single employee set about building a new metal frame.There is not a single CLK GTR in Johan's home country, South Africa. Mercedes-Benz only divulged the overall length, width and height of the car, so he had to make an alternative plan. He sourced a high-end radio-controlled Mercedes-Benz GT1 racing car, and used the measurements from this R/C car to construct the roof of this car. But something was amiss... using those dimensions, the interior was way too cramped.Danie Botha/CarBuzz/Valnet Johan then found a more accurate model car on the internet, and immediately ordered it. The measurements of this model car proved to be more accurate. It nevertheless required five roof-building attempts before Johan was satisfied with the design. The body and panels are made from steel, and Johan uses an old-school roller to shape the panels.To keep his car as close to the original legend, Johan bought a Mercedes-Benz M120 V12 engine, the same 6.9-liter engine that forms the basis of the mill that powers the real GTR. The real McCoy is tuned by AMG, and produces 622 hp. The M120 in the Tribute car is mounted directly behind the seats, makes 502 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque, and is connected to an Audi six-speed manual transaxle gearbox, driving the rear wheels.Danie Botha/CarBuzz/Valnet "Someone on social media who was following the build suggested I use individual throttle bodies (ITBs) for the V12. It sounded like a great idea, but it proved to be one of the biggest challenges of this build," explains Johan. The butterfly valves had to be specially adjusted, along with trumpet lengths, and the fuel and ignition tuning was no easy task.Another challenge included a persistent overheating issue, which was eventually traced to a faulty, non-factory water bottle for the cooling system. The problem was solved with the original factory part. The rims were specially widened, and are shod with high-performance rubber. The car's handling initially proved to be an issue, with the E-Class rear suspension proving way too soft. Johan beefed it up with springs from Mercedes-Benz's GLE SUV, along with coil-over dampers. This set-up provided the GTR with much improved handling.Danie Botha/CarBuzz/Valnet Two-and-a-half years after getting this ambitious project underway, and dealing with a number of challenges, the GTR Tribute was completed. This thing sounds like the offspring of a Grisly bear and a mountain lion that has stepped on a two-inch nail. It is loud, very loud. Gloriously loud, actually. And it goes like a bat out of hell too, chasing the horizon with a ferocity that will make owners of the real GTR crack an approving nod.Danie Botha/CarBuzz/Valnet Johan doesn't call it a CLK GTR. And for good reason. Mercedes-Benz is obviously very protective of its halo cars, and would no doubt have sent some lawyer letters his way if he did. So he christened his creation the ELK GTR.Johan likes to compare his Mercedes-Benz to an expensive oil painting. Seen from a distance, it looks the exotic part, and then some. But when you look closer, there are some small, unique blemishes that could be improved. But for Johan, it is not about creating the perfect replica. It is about creating a tribute to his unattainable dream car, the real CLK GTR.Danie Botha/CarBuzz/Valnet Not surprisingly, internet keyboard warriors have been quick to point out any and all inaccuracies compared to the original GTR as depicted on Johan's social media pages, where he documents his builds. But Johan is hardly phased, saying he builds his cars for himself, and not for those opinionated observers."I'd like to see them try and build something like this, then we'll talk again," says Johan, with a knowing smile.Danie Botha/CarBuzz/ValnetEither way, it is clear that this is not Johan's first rodeo when it comes to creating bespoke cars. A Mercedes-Benz cabriolet, a Sauber-Mercedes C9 racing car and a BMW V12 LMR preceded the ELK CTR. And a new Mercedes-Benz ELK GTR Roadster is currently in the making. A Solid Track Record 1966 Mercedes-Benz 250 SE Cabriolet front, three-quarterJohan started prospecting with cars several decades ago. He bought old and slightly dilapidated Volkswagen Mk1 Golf/Rabbits, gave them a bit of a makeover with new interiors, cool wheels and so on, and then sold them on. But the real game changer turned out to be a classic Mercedes-Benz 250 SE Coupe. Johan turned the coupe into a bespoke cabriolet, with plenty of custom metal work in the game. And that was it. From that point on, Johan would go on to specialize in creating his very own cars.After the cabriolet project, he tackled a seemingly impossible task: build a Sauber-Mercedes C9 racing car tribute on a shoestring budget. He created the body by hand from fiberglass, using a combination of cardboard and just two layers of fiberglass (instead of the more traditional four layers). The C9, powered by a 3.2-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine, proved so popular, the Grand Tour television show featured in its first series. Next followed a magnificent BMW V12 LMR, based on the prototype car that won the 1999 Le Mans 24 Hour race. True to the LMR's origins, Johan's version is also powered by a period M70 V12 engine.Johan Ackermann What's next? With the Coupe finally completed and up for sale, a Roadster is slowly taking shape in Johan's backyard. He is planning to keep this Roadster. His final project, he says, will be a left-hand-drive GTR Roadster Tribute. The donor car is already waiting in the wings. After that one, he will be hanging up his metal working gloves. Maybe. The Real Deal Mercedes-BenzThe original Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK GTR is one of the most sought-after Mercedes models ever made. It is fast, too. AMG worked its magic on the V12 engine, increasing the capacity to 6.8-liter and upping the power to 622 hp. As a result, the CLK GTR can reach 200 mph.The power is transferred to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox, and a four-plate carbon fiber clutch. In short, the CLK GTR is the highly successful Mercedes-Benz GT1 racing car, but you can use it on the road. For this purpose, the GTR came with luxuries like power steering, air-conditioning and a sound system, along with the option of various materials (including leather) for the sports seats.Acquiring an original CLK GTR Coupe will not only cost you at least $10 million, finding one that is actually up for sale is another major challenge. The 26 cars are all being looked after like gold, with owners reluctant to let their prized possessions go.RM Sotheby's But there may be good news if you have around $13 million lying around, and want in on a CLK GTR. Late in 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confiscated one of the six roadsters. This particular example reputedly only has 14 miles on the clock, and was connected to Ryan James Wedding, the former Canadian Olympic snowboarder turned international fugitive, who is linked to an international drug trafficking syndicate, and who was recently taken into custody.This pristine CLK GTR is currently in the custody of the US government, and should eventually go under the hammer, if the charges are upheld. Best start saving. #justsaying
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