1987 Mercedes-Benz 300G

Although conceived as a military vehicle and first used by the Argentinian army, the go anywhere G-Wagen found its true home on the civilian market as a worthy competitor to the Land Rover Defender, Toyota Landcruiser and the like. This example is a factory right had drive model specified for and supplied to the UK. It was first registered here in March 1987. This example hails from the first series of G-Wagen, known by the W460 internal Mercedes-Benz model code. 

This is the GD model in popular 5-door, long wheelbase configuration and featuring the 2,998cc inline five-cylinder OM617 diesel engine.
 

This G-Wagen spent just over a year with its first keeper. By September 1988 the Mercedes was in the hands of its second owner. The second owner kept the off-roader for six-years with current owner, Tamir, acquiring it in 1994. Today the G-Wagen has covered a mere 56,550 miles in the hands of just three keepers making it unusually lightly used for its age and with loads of life left to share with its next luck owner. 
 

The G-Wagen in its first iteration was so slab sided and devoid of curves that it was originally modelled by the development team in wood rather the usual clay that can be worked into compound shapes. The narrow and boxy persona of the original G-Wagen is definitely part of its considerable charms and something inherited from its Steyr-Daimler-Puch forebears. 
 

This G-Wagen scrubs up pretty well and appears to be in an overtly original condition, externally. Given the 4x4’s 37 years that translates into a few scrapes, chips and scabs when inspected closely. Overall, however, and from a few paces the Mittelblau Metallic paintwork and associated bodywork looks in good shape and entirely appropriate to such a tough mud plugger.
 

That tough, go anywhere persona is further emphasised by the headlamp grills, twin bumper mounted spot lamps and impressive ground clearance. The flat cabin glass looks in good order as do the light lenses and large wing mirrors. At the rear a spare wheel is mounted to the rear door and covered. A sturdy, heavy duty tow hitch is also noted.
 

The dinky looking, five spoke Mercedes-Benz alloy wheels are actually 16-inch items but look smaller against the 85-profile all-terrain tyres and the acres of open space between the tyres and the wheel arches. Close inspection of the alloys reveals some kerbing, minor chips and dings. A matching set of quality Continental Cross Contact AT tyres are fitted in 235/85 configuration.
 

The interior of the G-Wagen better reveals its past as a working vehicle possibly better than the exterior. The cabin is commendable for being highly original and seemingly complete but offers the potential for further improvement by the next owner.
 

The seats are finished in the familiar looking large, checked fabric in various tones of grey. In the case of the drivers seat a few rips and tears are noted and the base of the seat looks a little misshapen. The passenger seat seems to have fared better and their condition is relatively clean. The rear bench is identically trimmed but looks to be in better condition than the driver’s seat. Door cards are centred with the same checked cloth (readily available from upholstery specialists). Some minor damage is noted to the hard plastic of some of the door bins and one rear window winder is missing.
 

The carpets look original and are heavily stained in the front from years of muddy boots and poorly fitted along the door thresholds in the rear. The grey headlining panels look to be in a good order, however. The generously sized luggage compartment is accessed by a left-hand hinged door. Again, the original carpeting in here appears past its best and ripe for reconditioning or replacing.
 

The dashboard is a simple and rugged affair with an upright binnacle housing a pair of clear VDO gauges and some warning lights directly ahead of the driver. A familiar, generic Mercedes-Benz, four-spoke steering wheel is fitted. The centre console houses the clock, a later Panasonic head unit and basic switchgear. Between the seats are the various levers associated with the G-Wagen’s offroad equipment, the high / low transfer box and the locking differentials. 
 

This 300 GD is fitted with the biggest of the diesel engines available in the G-Wagen at the time. The 3L OM617 is no powerhouse, either technologically or literally speaking but is renowned for being a very reliable, durable and long-lived unit. With a naturally aspirated configuration the unit was originally rated at around 88bhp with 127 Ib-ft of torque available from just 2,400 rpm. A four-speed manual gearbox is fitted with power going to the rear wheels and four-wheel drive selectable as required. Twin locking diffs and 2.14/1 transfer box is also fitted lending the G-Wagen highly impressive off-road credentials.
 

The under-bonnet presentation appears highly original with the expected data plates present and correct. The componentry exhibits some surface corrosion and tarnishing to exposed alloys in places. This is another area, like the interior, where the new owner could make some further improvements to the presentation of the G-Wagen. The underside looks as you might expect for an offroad warrior of this age. Some surface corrosion is noted but plenty of thick underseal remains in evidence as do some recent components (such as the exhaust).
As you will see from the video the G-Wagen started well and idled as you would expect with that signature, off-beat five-cylinder thrum in evidence. A slight quirk with this Mercedes is that in order to stop the engine running there is a pull cord cut off located on the bottom of the steering column meaning the vehicle cannot be stopped using the key in the ignition barrel. Owner Tamir confirms that the G-Wagen “runs well” in his opinion.
 

This G-Wagen comes with an instructive paperwork archive providing some valuable provenance. This includes the current V5 and hard copy current MoT. The latter is valid until April 2025 and notes some minor pitting to front disks as advisory items. 

The original Mercedes-Benz book pack is present including the original build specification and the service book. The latter contains some stamps from early services carried out. The remainder of the archive consists of invoices for work undertaken and parts procured for the G-Wagen across its history.

Few cars can surely offer enough timeless and class-spanning charm to link unlikely names like The Shah of Iran, Pope John Paul II, and more latterly Cardi B and Drake! Such is the rugged appeal and uber-cool persona of the Mercedes G-Wagen. The car’s more recent re-invention as such a cultural icon has put earlier iterations in the spotlight and eagerly sought-after as a result.
 

This example charms not with its raw AMG-power and 22-inch wheels but with its innate originality and honesty. It retains the potential for further improvement whilst presenting in a perfectly useable, rolling-project condition – always a popular combination. As a factory right hand drive UK specified example this G-Wagen represents an exciting ownership prospect with the potential for further improvement, seemingly easily attainable. 

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £18,000 - £20,000.

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