When you think of the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, the first thing that comes to mind is likely ritzy Beverly Hills socialites and social media influencers. While this may be true in the United States today, it wasn’t always the case. In other parts of the world, the Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen is a tough and rugged off-roader. And there’s almost nothing better at tackling the backcountry than a classic G-Class.

Expedition Motor Company (EMC) of Frenchtown, New Jersey, is one of just a few builders that specialize in full restorations of these classic vehicles. EMC focuses on bringing the former military 250GD series G-Wagens back to life and has restored more than 150 of these fine vehicles.

Each EMC build involves a rigorous restoration that totals more than 2,300 man-hours of specialized labor. No detail is overlooked, with care taken down to each individual nut and bolt. The process begins with a full disassembly of the G-Wagen. The body is stripped to bare metal, and imperfections are mended. The frame is media blasted before receiving an anti-corrosion primer and powdercoat. The factory axles are disassembled, thoroughly cleaned, and meticulously inspected before being rebuilt. The brake system gets rebuilt as well, while components such as fuel lines, brake lines, and body mounts are replaced.

“We couldn’t be more excited to introduce this new Wolf V5, which is a direct showcase of EMC’s design and engineering prowess. You’ll feel just as at home cruising a beachside highway as you are traversing your favorite off-road trail,” EMC founder Alex Levin comments. “This timeless classic stands as a testament to the unparalleled craftsmanship and attention to detail that our team at EMC is known for.”

The exterior of this G-Wagen is coated in Mojave Silver, which pays homage to one of Mercedes-Benz’s most popular colorways while also offering a subtle nod to the ruggedness of its Mojave Desert namesake. The metallic silver gives a modern, polished look that reflects and accentuates the iconic lines and contours of the timeless vehicle.

EMC perfectly complemented the exterior with a luxurious and weatherproof Doppio interior. The convertible G-Wagen also comes with both a bikini top and a full soft top.

Under the hood of the Silver Wolf G-Wagen resides a rebuilt Mercedes OM602 diesel engine. This 2.5-liter five-cylinder indirect-injection engine produces a staggering 93 horsepower. However, what it lacks in output it more than makes up for in longevity, with examples of this powerplant routinely surpassing 500,000 miles, and many examples still going strong with more than a million miles. The engine is backed by a rebuilt five-speed Mercedes 722.6 manual transmission.

The Mojave Silver Wolf from EMC is available for purchase at a price of just $204,150. Included in that cost is a one-year bumper-to-bumper warranty along with complimentary enclosed shipping. Looking for a more custom build of your own? Expedition Motor Company custom builds start at $180,000 and are Section 179 eligible. If you know, you know.