Auction Date: Saturday 23 September
Estimate: £35,000 - £40,000
Registration Number: CBJ 507Y
Chassis Number: 46023327021341
- Exhaustively restored and upgraded
- 4.3 litre V8 giving 275 bhp at the rear wheels
- Built at an estimated cost of over £90,000
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class or G-Wagon, short for Geländewagen (cross-country vehicle), is characterised by its boxy styling and body-on-frame construction. It uses three fully locking differentials, one of the few vehicles to have such a feature. The G-Class is still in production and is one of the longest produced Mercedes-Benz in Daimler’s history. The model was developed as a military vehicle from a suggestion by the Shah of Iran and offered as a civilian version from 1979. A new version was expected for 2007, but ultimately whilst the new GL-Class is a fine performing product in the Mercedes tradition, it was not sufficient to steal the affection for the classic Geländewagen. And so the G-Wagon is still in production and selling well to the current day.
This Long-Wheel-Base G-Wagon Pickup, has recently enjoyed a comprehensive restoration and upgrade to Mercedes 4.3 V8 power.
During the restoration the G-Wagen was stripped to a bare chassis, which was blasted and then treated with etch primer and three coats of two-pack paint. The single cab body was returned to bare metal, fitted with new wings and bonnet, fully insulated and then refinished in dark grey. A new/old stock Carbodies aluminium rear tub was sourced, prepared and painted to match. New window regulators were installed, additionally door and glass seals and a new Mercedes windscreen.
A Mercedes M113 4.3 litre V8 engine and six- speed manual gearbox were sourced, stripped and inspected, and built up with new gasket and seals. The engine was treated to a new waterpump, radiator/hoses, crank damper, cam and crank sensors, flywheel and clutch, and now runs a Haltech elite 2500 ECU, and twin spark Mazda coil packs. Breathing through custom manifolds and a stainless exhaust system, we understand this set up is good for 275bhp at rear wheels. In other words, plenty!
Both front and rear axles have been stripped, and rebuilt with new bearings, crown wheel and pinions. The axle ratios are now 4.1 :1 ratio front and rear, the rear axle being a “Coke Bottle” 3.5 ton item. Both axles feature rebuilt hydraulic differential locks, additionally the three propshafts have been rebuilt and balanced.
The suspension has been overhauled with new springs, Bilstein shock absorbers and new mounts, new bushes, drag links, track rod ends, and a reconditioned steering box. The hydraulic systems have received new lines, the fuel tank replaced for an improved plastic item with new sender, fuel pump and all fuel lines. The front braking has been uprated to G500 calipers, vented discs with Mercedes pads, new brake lines and hoses. The rear drums were skimmed and reinstalled with new rear wheel cylinders. G500 front and rear bash plates have been fitted. The G-Wagen now rides on banded steel rims with Toyo Open Country tyres.
The interior has been treated to newer W463 G-Wagon seats re-trimmed in black Nappa leather, a dash top in leather, Mercedes floor linings, also a Bluetooth Kenwood stereo with Apple Play and Sat. A new rear pickup tilt has been made in mohair, fitted to a newly powder coated frame. Finally the pick-up’s look is completed with a Canadian military snorkel, Pintal bumper and military specification mirrors. Now over 40 years old, we have not as yet received confirmation but we believe the G-Wagen is now MoT and tax exempt.
Fast, powerful and huge fun to drive, this hugely capable G-Wagen is one of the coolest trucks on the road today. The Pickup is complete with a UK V5C document, and a large photographic file and schedule of the build.
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1953 LAGONDA 3-LITRE COUPE - ESTIMATE: £45,000 | £55,000
1942 FORD GPW JEEP - ESTIMATE: £19,000 | £21,000
1972 ALFA-ROMEO SPIDER VELOCE - ESTIMATE: £18,000 | £22,000
1972 PORSCHE 911 2.4 'S' 'OELKLAPPE COUPE' - ESTIMATE: £100,000 | £110,000
1960 BENTLEY S2 CONTINENTAL BY JAMES YOUNG - ESTIMATE: £65,000 | £75,000
2006 ASTON-MARTIN DB9 VOLANTE - ESTIMATE: £47,000 | £51,000
1970 FORD CORTINA LOTUS - ESTIMATE: £28,000 | £32,000
1981 AUDI QUATTRO - ESTIMATE: £12,000 | £14,000
