Modified 1984 Mercedes G-Wagon Overland Camper for Sale
A 1984 Mercedes-Benz 300GD, converted into an overland camper with a turbo diesel engine swap, is offered for sale after a three-year renovation.
A 1984 Mercedes-Benz 300GD, transformed into a fully-equipped overland camper, is now for sale. This W460-series G-Wagon was owned by one family for decades before undergoing a three-year renovation and conversion project.
The original naturally aspirated diesel engine was replaced with a 2,995 cc OM617 five-cylinder turbo diesel, while the vehicle's manual transmission was retained. The seller includes the original engine with the sale. Extensive mechanical work was documented, totaling almost €30,000 and completed with assistance from Penta Garage in Italy.
Mechanical Upgrades and Specifications
Work included fitting new piston rings, a head gasket, oil cooler, intercooler, and starter, along with servicing the injection pump. The upgrades also encompassed raised suspension, wheel spacers, refreshed brakes, cooling-system repairs, new tires, and attention to the transmission, fuel system, and exhaust. Air conditioning was added to the vehicle.
The Custom Camper Interior
The interior is lined with wood and built for adventure. It features storage benches, an adjustable table, a refrigerator, and a 48-liter water tank with shower equipment. Power comes from an auxiliary battery, a solar system, and an inverter, while a diesel heater provides warmth. Extra lighting, a roof rack, and a rear ladder complete the setup. The seller claims around 80 percent of the camper conversion is reversible, with many original parts retained.
The G-Wagon's Utilitarian Origins
The source material provides a history of the model, noting its beginnings as a utilitarian military project. Mercedes-Benz first showed the press the vehicle in Toulon, France, in February 1979, with series production starting in Graz, Austria, that same month. The report states that by 2024, Mercedes estimated 80 percent of all G-Wagons ever built were still in use.
The vehicle resulted from a joint venture. Talks between Daimler-Benz and Austrian firm Steyr-Daimler-Puch began in 1969, with an agreement to develop a capable off-roader that was also comfortable on roads reached in 1972. A common origin story credits the Shah of Iran with commissioning the vehicle, but Mercedes' own history starts with the 1969 talks and does not mention him.
| Model Series | Key Features | Production Notes |
|---|---|---|
| W460 (Launch) | Body-on-frame, coil-sprung live axles, part-time 4WD | Nearly 52,000 civilian versions built by 1992; over 20,000 were 300 GD diesels. |
| 463 Series (1989) | Permanent 4WD, three diff locks, more car-like interior | Introduced at Frankfurt after 75,000 vehicles sold; began the shift toward luxury. |
The initial W460 range offered four engine options, from a 71 bhp 2.4-liter diesel to a 154 bhp 2.8-liter petrol six-cylinder. The report details the model's adoption by various militaries, including the Swiss Army in 1982 and the German Bundeswehr in the early 1990s, which named its version the "Wolf." A six-wheeled variant was developed for the Australian Army in 2010.
The turn toward luxury is traced to the 500 GE of 1993, a limited-run V8 model. This paved the way for high-performance AMG versions and the formal renaming of the range to G-Class. The article also notes the G-Wagon's long service as a Papal vehicle, with the latest being an electric model delivered in 2024.
