Archives for posts with tag: Gelandewagen

Mil-Spec G-Wagen 240GD, via WCXC

This, apparent former Bundeswehr (ex-military), 1986 Mercedes-Benz 240GD just showed up on Bring a Trailer. It’s a 2-door, long wheelbase, open top model that’s been fitted with a rooftop tent, stove and cabinets. It’s said to have heavy-duty axles. Power comes from a 4-cylinder diesel which, if my experience with the 240D is any indication, will make it pretty slow.

The speed, or lack thereof, is one caveat. Registration might be another. The ad states that documents for registration will be included. It doesn’t state that the car is registered. OK—it’s a diesel, and older than 1998, so no California smog test, but it’s still a European import. It’s something to think about. Still it could make a fun overlander.

The car is listed on Craigslist and located in Los Angeles, California with an asking price of $25,000.

Tons of photos after the jump.

Links:
Bring a Trailer post
Craigslist ad Read the rest of this entry »

1986 Mercedes-Benz 280 GE • WCXC

This is a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 280GE in dove grey over a plaid Recaro interior. It’s equipped with a 2.8-liter, inline six, gasoline engine, mated to an automatic, 5-speed transmission. The 460-series G-wagen, of which this is one, was produced between 1979 and 1991, and was available with a variety of gas and diesel powertrain options. The 2.8-liter six was the most powerful of these, good for 156hp and 166 lb-ft of torque, according to Wikipedia.

Space-saving, folding, jump seats can be found in the rear of the truck, making this 9-passenger vehicle. Other options include factory A/C and power windows. The original stereo has, unfortunately, been replaced.

The odometer shows 32,384 miles. Given that these trucks have a five-digit odometer, however, it’ll take some sleuthing to verify that without corroborating service records. Original owner’s and service manuals are included. Perhaps there’s a clue there.

This 80s-era G-wagen is being offered for $34,950 and is located in Bellevue, Washington. Now $35k is pushing right up against used G500 money. This one is more charming and, with its smaller wheels, more ready for off-road duty, than its newer brothers but you’ll be missing out front and rear heated seats. Don’t think you’re going to get better mileage though. Gas mileage for both the six and the eight-cylinder models is a pump-wrenching 12–14 mpg.

More photos and the original ad text after the jump.

Links:
ebay: 1986 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 280 GE

Bring a Trailer: 32K Mile 1986 Mercedes Benz 280GE

Wikipedia: Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Read the rest of this entry »


If you haven’t seen this video yet, it’s really great. Gunther Holtorf set out with his wife from Germany in 1989 for a road trip. They just kept going. Since then he’s driven over 500,000 miles and visited countries all over the world, including the places one normally wouldn’t think of driving to, like North Korea and Iraq. He’s been on the road now for 23 years.

To watch it, click the video still above or the BBC link below.

Source trail: BBC > Autoblog

In this video, the sometimes-informative-sometimes-cantankerous, South-African 4×4 expert, Andrew St. Pierre White, reviews the most basic Geländewagen variant, the G300 Professional. The only thing is — iiiirrrrck — he doesn’t take it off road.

[youtube:http://youtu.be/HU-V3xnBels]
For that you need this guy. I don’t know who he his or what language he speaks (Czech?) but he wears funny boots and, more importantly, he gets his G300 dirty.