1994 MERCEDES-BENZ 350 TD Cabriolet

Background

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, often referred to as the G-Wagen, with G standing for the German “Geländewagen”, was introduced in the 1970s. The model was initially developed as a military vehicle, a suggestion by the Shah of Iran who happened to be a significant shareholder in the brand at the time. The first civilian version was produced in 1979, and the car was met with enthusiasm by the public and became one of the most successful Mercedes-Benz vehicles ever. In late 2020, the make built its 400.000th unit. The car is still in production, and although it has been modernized quite substantially, the concept and characteristic boxy styling remained the same over the years. The length of its production run is only surpassed by the Unimog, that has seen much more significant changes though.

Conceived as a robust utility vehicle, the G-Class features a four-wheel drive system with three fully lockable differentials. As mentioned, various modifications were made to the model, most importantly including facelifts and interior improvements. Over the years, the car became more and more luxurious, with ever larger and more powerful engines becoming available to make the G the ultimate luxury SUV. The G-Class was available as a long wheelbase and a short wheelbase version, where the latter could also be ordered as a convertible. The short version, and thence the convertible G-Class, was discontinued when the second generation of the model was launched in 2018.

The car quickly became very popular and has gained a cult status that is still intact today. Customers love the G for its reliability and robustness, but also for its safety. Even the Vatican fell under its charm and ordered one for the pope in the 1980s. From the initial military-specification four-wheeler, the G-Class evolved to a tony high-performance beast coveted by stars and VIPs.

The Vehicle

Our G-Wagen is a short wheelbase convertible version and was built in 1994. The vehicle features the bulletproof 350 TD 3.5 litre turbo diesel engine that develops 136hp. The automobile is presented in its original colour of Grey Blue and comes with a fawn-coloured soft-top that was recently replaced. The Mercedes-Benz is said to be in very good condition throughout and has always been serviced as required.

On the Outside

The G-Wagen presents well in its original Grey Blue over beige soft top colour scheme. We are not certain the soft top was beige originally, but what is known is that the car left the factory in the mentioned body colour, which is largely still original; the vehicle having never been fully repainted. The bodywork is free from major rust and has normal signs of wear: some minor dents and scratches can be found on the vehicle such as the mirrors and bumpers. A few applications have very slight signs of rust, such as the support of the spare wheel at the rear. The original badges are all present and well preserved. The same can be said of the chrome parts of the front grille. The off-roader sits on 15-inch wheels, in excellent nick and fitted with all-terrain Goodrich tires. Please consult the picture gallery to get a full picture of the condition of the vehicle. None of these signs of use are particularly serious or would require attention by the new owner. Additionally, none of these traces of wear are to be considered unusual for a vehicle that is close to 30 years old, and even less so for a proper off-road vehicle such as the G-Class. Overall, this example presents very well and is nicely preserved. The foldable soft top has been replaced by the custom-made version you can see in the pictures in 2021. The work was done to a very high-quality standard. The original metal structure of the top was preserved.

On the Inside

The interior of the G-Class is upholstered in light grey leather, in original condition and showing normal signs of wear. Given the relatively modest mileage of the vehicle, the leather has stood the test of time well. The interior is equipped with rare and desirable heated electric seats, a factory option that was rarely selected by customers. Other rare factory options are the air conditioning and the cruise control. A modern Alpine radio is mounted, but the original Blaupunkt Coburg cassette radio comes with the car. The carpets are nicely presented and are believed to be the ones that were fitted to this example when it left the factory in 1994. The centre console and dashboard feature the typical wood inserts, entirely intact. None of the buttons are missing or broken. The odometer read 145.377kms at the time of photographing. In the trunk, you will find the original tool kit and a safety triangle. In comparison to the long wheelbase version, the trunk on these automobiles is rather small, but on the upside, the car can comfortably seat four adults.

Underneath

The good news continues underneath the car. Our G-Class was put to good use over the years by the different owners, which prompted the seller to attend to some rusty floor panels in 2021; they were all replaced, and the underbody treated with rust protection. This job, which was done at the same time as the previously mentioned soft top replacement, prepared the car for another 30 years of use. The vehicle can be described as a solid example and we cannot spot any issues underneath the car, it is neither attacked by rust, nor does it appear to leak oil from the differential or engine. The engine bay has the normal traces of age. The 350 TD engine has a reputation for being very reliable, and this example was regularly serviced throughout its life and runs well. Over the past 18 months, a total of more than 12.000€ were invested in the Mercedes, including a complete service of which invoices are on file.

History Highlights

The G-Class we are offering today was produced in 1994 and delivered new to Germany where it had two or three different owners until 2002 when it was sold to France. The new French owner kept the car until 2019, when the consigning seller purchased it for his collection. Today, the vehicle’s odometer shows 145,377kms, and from service records and MoT checks, the mileage is perfectly traceable:

• 09/12/1994 : 3.942 km
• 13/10/1995 : 20.922 km
• 27/01/1997 : 41.874 km
• 06/05/1999 : 67.080 km
• 14/03/2000 : 77.686 km
• 23/12/2016 : 129.233 km
• 24/10/2017 : 130.790 km
• 12/11/2018 : 132.025 km
• 20/11/2019 : 133.181 km
• 08/01/2021 : 135.910 km
• 06/05/2022 : 142.749 km
• 09/12/2022 : 144.656 km

The Mercedes-Benz is offered with a valid French MoT and registration. A Mercedes-Benz historical datasheet is also included and if you keep this car in France, you will be pleased to know that it is eligible to obtain a Carte Grise de Collection in one year!

What We Think

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is an off-road car that is perfectly at home in a variety of environments. It is usable as a daily driver, but its three locking differentials make these vehicles extraordinary off-roaders and great fun to own and drive. The short wheelbase convertible version is rather rare but just as practical as its big sister. The example on offer is in nicely presented original condition throughout with known history from new and was subject to recent works and a service by expert workshops. A perfect vehicle for summer and an opportunity not to be missed!

We estimate this vehicle to fetch between €65,000 - €85,000 in auction.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Rouvres, France. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

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