Meet the White Wolf: A Restomod G-Wagen Classic Full of Modern Capability

This two-door drop-top G-Wagen has a turbo-diesel engine, manual transmission, and a meticulous restoration with a modern touch.

The Mercedes G-Wagen is an icon, and it has been for decades. While modern G-Wagens are indeed stylish, powerful, and fun, there’s just something phenomenal about the lines of original models. Sure, the modern versions retain a lot of the classic aesthetics, but classic models offer some features you can’t get on modern examples. Now, there’s a way to get the best of both worlds.

Enter Expedition Motor Company and their White Wolf. Based on the awesome rag-top Mercedes 250GD “Wolf” from the early ‘90s, the White Wolf is a two-door convertible turbo-diesel G-wagen that lets you row your own gears. When it comes to a vehicle for a good time on the trails, it’s hard to imagine something more appealing than that very combo.

Over 2,100 Hours of Hand Restoration Went Into This Beauty

Mercedes only made the 250GD for three years. So, finding one in any condition is a tough task. The White Wolf started life as a 1990 model year example. Expedition Motor Company took this classic G-Wagen in and completely stripped it down to the frame. Then, it gets a media blast and a coat of anti-corrosive primer before a fresh powder coat to bring this 30-year-old veteran back to factory-fresh condition.

That’s certainly not where the meticulous attention to detail stops, though. EMC gave the White Wolf all new fuel lines, brake lines, and body mounts. In addition, the factory axles, engine, and transmission were completely cleaned, rebuilt, and refreshed with new components. Undoubtedly, EMC truly turned this old 250GD into a brand-new vehicle.

A little modernization goes into EMC builds, too. EMC reengineered the brake calipers and upgraded the rotors and drums to ensure they’re up to snuff with modern braking needs. In addition, EMC installs in-house-developed suspension to give it a more modern driving experience.

The EMC Wolf Builds Aren’t Cheap, but They Are Worth It

The White Wolf is currently listed on EMC’s website for a cool $185,200. However, the company will custom-build one to your preferred color, transmission options, and a host of other options all the way down to turn signal color and add off-road-ready toys like a winch on the front bumper. Building your own starts at $165,000. Sure, it’s not cheap, but the amount of time spent on the meticulous restoration of these builds quickly adds up. Diving that price tag up by the 2,100 hours involved comes in at just over $80 an hour. That’s less than many local mechanics charge, and it includes the price of the vehicle!

While that is nearly the same starting price as a modern G-Wagen, the EMC build just feels a lot more authentic to the true heritage of these boxy beauties. That’s no accident, either.

“Our goal at Expedition Motor Company is to flawlessly restore one of the finest adventure vehicles ever conceived, the G-Wagen. With more than 40 years since the G-Wagen first appeared on the market, our team dedicates thousands of hours on each new build to properly honor this vehicle’s storied heritage,” comments Expedition Motor Company Founder Alex Levin.

Overall, the old “you get what you pay for” adage applies quite nicely. It’s a lot of money, but it is also a remarkably high quality and unique build that you can take anywhere from the grocery store to the top of a mountain.