• Original inside and out

 • Rare surviving example of this spec

 • Three owners from new

 • Amazing condition
 • Cherished number plate included in sale 

Launched in 1979, the Gëlandewagen (‘all-terrain car’) has remained in the Mercedes range for an amazing 42 years, and has changed very little in that time. The 400,000th unit rolled off the production line in December 2020. Combining off-road ability with refinement, it’s become the 4x4 of choice for the rich and famous as well for armies, firefighters and forest rangers around the world. 

B8 KHM is a remarkably original example and belies its 27 years both inside and out. Its ruby metallic paintwork is a rare and unusual colour for the car, and looks amazing, while the interior has clearly been very carefully looked after.   

 • Thick file of paperwork

 • MoT valid until March 2023

 • Original manuals and service book still in leather wallet

First registered in November 1995, B8 VHM was supplied by Mercedes dealer Geyfords in Tooting. 

The vendor reports that, according to the website ‘HowManyLeft’, there are only seven 3-litre petrol-engined examples of this model still around, of which only three are on the road. A deeper dig suggests that this may be the only surviving example, on the road, with the 3-litre petrol engine and auto ‘box.

The file of paperwork is amazingly comprehensive. There are invoices for servicing and work back throughout the car’s life, all the old tax discs, and the leather folder contains all the original booklets (the service record and owners’ manual, plus those for the alarm system and radio). 

The service book records Mercedes-dealer servicing right through to 73,000 miles, and there is a printed record of, and invoices for, subsequent services at Mercedes dealerships and marque specialists.    

 • Remarkably clean and original throughout

 • Tools and first aid kit look unused

 • Great driving position
 • Original Blaupunkt stereo with manual.

Step up into the smart interior and it’s hard to believe that this is a 1995 car. Completely original throughout, the car looks much as it must have done when new. There’s only slight evidence of wear on the beige leather seats, with the rear seats, if anything, looking more worn than the fronts. The matching seat belts are slightly grubby, but otherwise this interior is a real timewarp. The dashboard, instruments and centre console are extremely clean and tidy, with no marks or scratches. The plastic mats in the footwells look immaculate, and underneath these the carpets are incredibly clean for a car of this age. Closer inspection reveals that the driver’s armrest has cracked, and the rim of the steering wheel has worn, but these are virtually the only visible signs of the car’s age. There are a couple of very minor scratches on the walnut trim above the glove box. 

All three door panels are clean and unmarked. The load bay is spotless, bar a few small scuffs on the backs of the rear seats. The floor has been protected by a plastic mat, but the carpet underneath is spotless. On the nearside of the load bay is the original tool roll and warning triangle, which look completely unused, and on the opposite side is a first aid kit, still in its plastic wrapper. Under the driver’s seat, the original jack is still in its mount.  

 • Unblemished paintwork

 • Rare colour

 • Wheels and tyres all immaculate

The Ruby Red Metallic 572 paint is pretty much immaculate all round. This is clearly a car that has been cherished. The car looks good from every angle, and the fact that the modern G-wagon still looks much the same is testament to the car’s lasting appeal. 

The wheels are immaculate, with no corrosion or evidence of kerbing, while the Bridgestone tyres are clearly recent. The lights, badges, bumpers and front grille are all in excellent condition. The rear-mounted spare wheel sits inside a smart refurbished cover, and again the tyre has plenty of tread. 

 • Starts on first turn of the key, sounds great.

 • Clean and tidy engine bay

 • Immobilizer alarm

The car starts readily, and slides neatly into ‘drive’. The 3-litre engine sounds great, the car pulls away smoothly and there’s no evidence of any issues. The elevated view of the road gives a feeling of security, and the driving position is as comfortable as one would expect from a car renowned for its refinement as much as for its off-road ability. 

All the switchgear appears to work as it should, including the air conditioning. Under the bonnet, the car shows a few signs of age but is generally clean and tidy. Underneath the car, all looks to be in order, and there’s no evidence of corrosion or leaks. 

The car is supplied with two sets of keys, both with alarm fobs.  

 

Even leaving aside the vendor’s belief that this maybe the last remaining example of the model with this engine and gearbox, this is a rare car indeed. It’s as close to completely original, both inside and out, as is possible for a car of its age. How it’s been kept in this condition for its 27 years is difficult to fathom, but it’s clearly a car that has been cherished throughout its life – as evidenced by that comprehensive and reassuring file of paperwork. It’s a fair assumption that this one has done very few off-road excursions. 

The G-wagon remains a motoring icon, even after 42 years, and this one is as good a 1990s (or even later) example as you will find. It really is a one-off, with all its original accessories intact and apparently unused. It looks resplendent in that distinctive ruby metallic paint and promises the new owner a refined driving experience. It would almost be a shame to use it off-road, though…