"Now the Poles have stolen our SLR!" screamed the headline in Bild Zeitung. The Germans, tired of their Mercs and Beemers being surreptitiously whisked over their borders by east European mafia gangs, might well have been alarmed.
This time, however, they were way off the marque. The only thing being stolen was Mercedes' thunder. According to a report in the German motor magazine, Auto Bild Test & Tuning, the culprit in this instance was a certain Robert Furtak (35), a Polish religious historian at the Pontifical Academy in Krakow, who also restores classic cars - mainly Mercedes.
Furtak, an unassuming type of man with strong religious beliefs, was struck - as by a bolt from above - by a TV feature on the Detroit Motor Show in 1999. It featured a slot on Mercedes planned über-sportscar, the Vision SLR due to be unveiled until September 2003, at the earliest.
Not one to stop at simply coveting worldly goods, Furtak resolved to copy this particular example, and set out to build his very own.
If this sounds like a task of biblical proportions, it's all the more incredible when you consider that Furtak and his accomplice, Feliks Ciask (45), have no formal technical or engineering training. Indeed, the motivation for the whole amazing project was simply "the fun" of doing it. A step beyond car restoration.
Using a 1:18 Maisto model of the forthcoming mega Merc as a template, they based their dimensions on measurements taken with a caliper rule from the model. They then multiplied their figures by 18 to come up with the full-size dimensions. Furtak also collected everything to do with the SLR he could get his hands on . . . posters, illustrations and newspaper clippings, including publicity material released to the media by Mercedes.
The platform used for the vehicle was an 1988 Mercedes 500 SEC. The wheelbase was shortened by 29 centimetres to match that of the embryonic SLR. The engine came from the same source, a 16-valve, five-litre V8.
The Maisto-derived dimensions were drawn onto steel sheeting, from which each panel was cut out before being beaten and worked into the required shapes. Sounds primitive?
In much the same way earlier supercars were built - the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO used a wooden form, over which the panels were worked.
It seems that even Furtak's sceptical neighbours were won over to help with the project as it took hold. Specialist expertise also become available as the momentum built up. A gunsmith provided the chrome-rimmed instruments, and an upholsterer provided the skills for the leather seats and interior trim.
Other makes and models were plundered for parts that looked similar to the SLR in the pictures. Door grips came from a Fiat Barchetta, door locks from the SEC, telescopic arm support (the doors open back and upwards) from a Mercedes Vito. Anything which couldn't be found was simply made from scratch. The shapes for the headlights were created by Furtak himself from epoxy resin.
The end result is nothing short of miraculous. A magnificent-looking supercar, admired by all who see it - including Furtak's beatifically patient wife Isabella.
While the three-point-star can't be such an uncommon sight in a city with three large Mercedes dealerships, this car really is a head-turner in Krakow. It's no slouch either. The 15-year-old V8 is still capable of pushing it from 0-62 mph in 7.2 seconds, on to a top speed of 147 mph!
Surprisingly, Mercedes hasn't been in touch with Furtak since the appearance of his SLR in the German magazine, and to date there have been no "serious" offers to buy the wunder-car.
Would he sell it if one came along? "Although the car was not built with profit in mind, obviously if someone were to come along with a very large sum of money it could be up for discussion," said Furtak.
If that were to happen, it would leave the talented Furtak with time on his hands. So what would his next project be? "The Maybach".