With cars older than 25-years available for relatively easy import into the USA, we’re seeing more and more interesting specimens acquired across ponds brought into the The States only to turn up on auction sites like PCarMarket, cars like this Japanese market W210 1998 Mercedes-Benz E320 4MATIC wagon (Vin: WDB2102821X014479) in Viola Metallic (violametallic; metallic UNI; 339U; Mercedes-Benz).
It may look like an E55 AMG, but that’s pretty common for rest of world (ROW) specification cars where AMG appearance packages with smaller engines was more common. Even if it’s not an E 55, it does have some great options such as the rare Viola Metallic paint, Avantgarde body styling, 4MATIC all-wheel drive Graphite Cuir leather seating, a glass sunroof, heated power-adjustable front seats, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, self-leveling suspension, those 18-inch AMG monoblock alloy wheels, and more.
The car is said to have been imported about two years ago and is now available in New York with just over 70,000 km (less than 44,000 miles) on the odometer. Bidding is currently only at $7,250 which seems very reasonable for what this car is. If you’re interested, check it out via the link below… but hurry, because as of this post there are only about 20 hours left to bid.
This Classic Convertible Restoration Took Over 2,300 Hours of Meticulous Restoration, Resulting in an Elegant New Vehicle Built with Adventure Travel in Mind
[source: Expedition Motor Company]
FRENCHTOWN, NJ – When it comes to pristine vintage Geländewagens (G-Wagens), few builders feature the blend of vehicle expertise along with the necessary restoration capabilities of Expedition Motor Company (EMC). Following more than seven years of experience and over one hundred and fifty 250GDs built and delivered, the team behind Expedition Motor Company has a deep respect for the heritage and go-anywhere capabilities of the iconic Geländewagen. EMC specializes in bringing former military G-Wagens back to life—transforming them into luxury, collector-grade vehicles designed to provide owners with a unique, old-school driving experience. EMC’s passion for precision, even down to the smallest components, and dedication to world-class quality, allows them to create the finest G-Wagen restorations in the marketplace today. These restorations not only capture the vehicle’s original character but also seamlessly integrate modern enhancements to add a new level of elegance and style. In this spirit, EMC proudly unveils their latest masterpiece: a beautifully restored 1992 Mojave Silver (mojavesilber; metallic UNI; 859; Mercedes-Benz) G-Wagen, featuring an exquisite Doppio interior and Mercedes’ “million-mile engine,” the OM602 Diesel.
“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,” 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 stunning G-Wagen is finished in Mojave Silver, paying homage to one of Mercedes-Benz’ most popular colorways. The “Mojave Silver” color also provides subtle nods to both the ruggedness of desert landscapes and a refined, understated luxury. Named after the Mojave Desert, this color evokes the resilience and natural beauty of an environment known for its challenging terrain and extreme conditions, aligning well with the tough, adventure-ready nature of the 250GD G-Wagen. The metallic silver exterior gives the vehicle a modern, polished look that reflects light beautifully and accentuates the iconic lines and contours of the G-Wagen. It offers a sleek aesthetic without sacrificing its 1990s heritage. This exterior is perfectly complemented by luxurious weatherproof interior upholstery. Adding to its distinct charm, this convertible G-Wagen comes with both a bikini top and a full soft top, offering drivers multiple options to suit their preferences.
Each EMC build undergoes a rigorous 2,300 man-hour restoration, where every detail is expertly crafted with precision and care down to the nuts and bolts. The process begins with a full disassembly of the vehicle. The body is taken down to bare metal and EMC’s craftsmen hand-mend all imperfections caused by age or combat. The frame is media blasted and receives an anti-corrosive primer and a durable powder coat finish. Other key components, such as fuel lines, brake lines, and body mounts are replaced to guarantee longevity and optimal performance. The factory axles are disassembled, thoroughly cleaned, and meticulously refinished, while the brake system is fully revamped to ensure enhanced stopping power. EMC’s custom-designed suspension is then installed and fine-tuned, perfectly integrating with the vehicle to provide an unmatched driving experience.
Under the hood of this Mojave Silver Wolf lies a rebuilt OM602 diesel engine, expertly paired with a rebuilt 5-speed 722.6 automatic transmission. Built for terrains of all types, this vintage G-Wagen is ready to take on any journey with strength and style.
The Mojave Silver Wolf from EMC is available for purchase at a price of $204,150. Expedition Motor Company trucks start at $180,000 and are available to commission today. For more information, please contact Expedition Motor Company at (267) 714-4112, or visit expeditionmotorcompany.com.
After building 2,500 examples, Porsche has celebrated the end of the 911 Dakar model with the handover of a Sonderwunsch special at the Porsche plant in Zuffenhausen. Extensively customised and refined, this Sonderwunsch 911 Dakar was commissioned for an Italian collector of sports cars.
[source: Porsche AG]
Porsche introduced the 911 Dakar, a sports car equally at home off-road as it is on country routes, in November 2022. The car’s standard ground clearance is approximately 50 millimetres higher than that of a 911 Carrera with sports suspension. Off-road-specific details include red, forged aluminium recovery eyelets at the front and rear, as well as widened wheel arches and sills. The three-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder engine producing 480 PS (353 kW) and a maximum torque of 570 Nm delivers impressive performance with a distinctive and emotive boxer sound.
To the final of the model: customised three-tone paintwork
Now, a special example of this limited-run model has been handed over in the Porsche Museum – but not before getting the full Sonderwunsch treatment, including a unique three-tone paint job. Signalyellow (signalgelb; nonmetallic UNI; 1YH; Porsche) and Gentianbluemetallic (enzianblaumetallic; metallic UNI; W96; Porsche) tie neatly into the Rallye Design Package, echoing the look of the winning vehicle from the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally, while a painted blue line between the two larger coloured areas completes the trio. The shade, which has been named Lampedusablue after the Italian Mediterranean island, was created in collaboration with the new owner of the car.
The spokes of this one-off car’s alloy wheels are also painted in Signalyellow, while the rim edge features Lampedusablue. The livery was done entirely by hand and in close co-operation between the customer and Porsche designers. The LED Matrix headlights are individualised with a Lampedusa-coloured accent ring, and the stainless steel protective elements on the front, rear, and sills are black.
Inside, more yellow appears against the contrasting black, such as in the stitching and trim strips on the dashboard, centre console, and door panels. The ‘911 Dakar’ lettering is also embroidered in Speedyellow thread on the headrests of the Sports Seats Plus, and the gear selector of the eight-speed PDK is enhanced with a Speedyellow leather insert. When the doors are opened, LED projectors cast the Sonderwunsch logo onto the ground. The extensive customisation ensured that this 911 Dakar of type 992 was refined right up to the end in the Sonderwunsch manufactory.
Before the car makes its way to its new home, visitors to the Porsche Museum can catch a ‘last’ glimpse of this special model. Sitting alongside other unique derivatives of well-known limited series, it will be on display in the museum’s foyer.
When Audi finally brought their RS 3 to the US, enthusiast forums were littered with posts about what color their cars would be ordered in. In speaking with a few Dealer friends at the time, this online chatter proved to be more than just posturing, as the queue for special paint was long enough to span well beyond the current model year. But since those days, Audi exclusive-painted RS 3 models are admittedly (and somewhat surprisingly) scarce.
With all that in mind, we were incredibly excited to see this 2018 Audi exclusive Cumulus Blue RS 3 (VIN: WUABWGFF5J1905196) pop up on Cars and Bids. Not just because it’s an Audi exclusive build, but also because of the color itself- Cumulus Blue (Color Code: X5A). It’s a shade we here at Tailored Driver are big fans of, and are lucky enough to have an example of in our fleet. Incredibly tough to capture in photos, it’s a bit like Porsche’s Chalk Grey with a hint of blue, or a much less saturated version of Audi’s Kemora Grey. For those who really know their colors, it’s also incredibly comparable to Vapor, a rare shade that was briefly available on Volkswagen’s New Beetle.
While this RS 3 may be a bit rough around the edges and perhaps modified beyond your wishes, we think the scarcity is worth the minor items that need to be addressed. Get all the details of this Tailored Driver on Cars and Bids, here.
In recent months it seems Aston Martin’s Racing Green is just as common on Porsche models as it is on Astons. Potentially a result of sheer volume, but we frankly dig the color and if you squint hard enough, you can see a clear parallel between Racing Green (racinggrünmetallic; metallic UNI; Y68; Porsche) and Porsche’s Wimbeldon Green which was commonly found on the 964-era 911. Call it a win-win.
Found on Bring a Trailer, this 2023 Porsche Taycan GTS Sport Turismo (VIN: WP0CD2Y16PSA90170) features the aforementioned Racing Green paint to sample finish (Color Code: Y68) over Chalk leather, resulting an incredibly handsome combination.
If you’re as smitten as we are, act fast- this auction ends in just a few short hours. Get all the details in teh full Bring a Trailer listing, here.
Always nice to find something a bit off-menu at daily special pricing isn’t it? Currently on offer at West Chester, Pennsylvania’s Sky Motor Cars, this Audi exclusive Corsa Red SQ5 (VIN: WA1B4AFY7M2055565) has covered just over 11,000 miles since new, yet is priced similarly to your run of the mill Grey, Black and White versions. With an asking price of $44,980, this might just be the Tailored Driver you’ve been looking for.
The combination of Corsa Red with Black Optic package is no doubt a stunner, although our more heavy footed fans may need to exercise some restraint. The bright shade could also prove to be a VIP invite to meet and greet your local traffic patrol. Moving past the exterior hue, this SQ5 is all business on the inside with Black leather and deviated white stitching throughout. We wouldn’t kick it out of bed.
It’s not all rosy, however- this SQ5 does have a minor on the CarFax. If that’s a deal breaker, no sweat. But we do think this one might be worth looking the other way. Get all the details about this Tailored Driver, here.
There’s no term more subjective than “value” when it comes to the used Porsche market, but this Tailored Driver could be used to illustrate a fairly interesting proposition. The 997-generation Turbo needs little introduction, giving purists and enthusiasts something to rally around with it’s nearly indestructible Metzger engine, return to round headlights, and being the last time Porsche would offer a three-pedal option in the Turbo model. All the makings of a future classic, right?
Not so fast. While they are finally starting to trend north, 997 Turbos regularly trade in the high 5 figure range, with the best-of-the-best and the last-of-the-last 997.2 Turbo stick cars fetching closer to $200k. This particular Tailored Driver currently on offer at Porsche South Orlando is somewhat of an also-ran. Paint to Sample USA Orange (code: W18) 911 Turbo (VIN: WP0CD29948S789834) is the clear highlight here, with condition (minor on the CarFax, curbed wheels, tired leather) and options (Cabriolet, pre-PDK tiptronic trans, non-sport seats) driving the price into good value territory. The current ask for this Tailored Driver is $69,999, which nowadays is 996 Turbo money.
So if you’re into a diamond in the rough, and wanting PTS cred, here’s your chance. Find more details on this Tailored Driver, here.
Following the success of the Series II Expedition Grenadier, The Chelsea Truck Company proudly unveils its latest Ineos transformation—The Grandmaster.
This exclusive model redefines luxury, elevating the Grenadier to unprecedented standards of sophistication, comfort, and style.
Commissioned through the renowned KAHN® design house, The Grandmaster offers a masterful blend of clean, bold design and exquisite craftsmanship. Premium materials and meticulous detailing elevate this Ineos to the pinnacle of the luxury 4×4 market, setting a new benchmark in refined off-road elegance.
Where the Series II Expedition showcased a bold, rugged spirit ready for any terrain, The Grandmaster captures that same soul but with a refined, more road-focused aesthetic that embodies the OEM+ philosophy of design. Crafted for those who favour luxury and sophistication over wilderness exploration, The Grandmaster seamlessly merges performance with elegance.
Signature exterior details, like wide wings and wheel arches, now boast a satin body finish with exposed carbon fibre accents for a subtle yet striking look. The utilitarian front and rear bumpers feature refined colour splits, creating seamless harmony with the Grenadier’s original design.
This exclusive prototype also debuts a Central Roof Light with integrated LED light, drawing inspiration from Formula 1 air intakes for an aerodynamic, high-performance edge. This F1-inspired feature not only enhances functionality but also pays homage to Ineos’s distinguished history within Formula 1.
Inside, the cabin has been completely reimagined with our exclusive comfort leather interior, elegantly finished in Volcanic Blue.
The bespoke Italian Nappa leather upholstery delivers a seamless blend of luxury and comfort, providing an experience as indulgent as it is refined.
The Grandmaster stands as the ultimate expression of sophistication—the most luxurious and distinguished Ineos Grenadier on the road today.
The Grandmaster features:
Exterior Specification:
Exposed Carbon Fibre Dakar Central Lamp Grille
3-Piece Front Outer Grille
3-Piece Front Bumper Valance in Carbon Fibre
40mm Wide Wheel Arches in Exposed Carbon
Wide Wings with integrated Bolt Apertures in Exposed Carbon Fibre
Central Roof Light with integrated LED Light in Exposed Carbon Fibre
Alpine Window Covers
Large Upper Roof Wing
3-Piece Rear Bumper Valance in Carbon Fibre
Chelsea Truck Co. Hard Spare Wheel Cover in Piano Black
100mm Crosshair Exhaust System In Satin Black
9×20″ Mondial Retro Deep Concave RS-Forged Light Alloy Wheels in Satin Black
35” All Terrain Tyres
Satin Body Colour Coded Paint
Gloss Black Contrast Roof
Exposed Carbon Fibre Details
Interior Specification:
Front Seats Upholstered in Volcanic Blue Nappa Leather with CTC Branding
Rear Seats Reupholstered in Volcanic Blue Nappa Leather with CTC Branding
Front and Rear Door Panels Reupholstered in Nappa Leather
Front and Rear Door Tops Reupholstered in Nappa Leather
Centre Armrest Reupholstered in Nappa Leather
Passenger Grab Handle Reupholstered in Nappa Leather
Handbrake and Gaitor Reupholstered in Nappa Leather
Drive Select Gaitor Reupholstered in Nappa Leather
The Ineos Grenadier Grandmaster brings together formidable engineering and sophisticated luxury, highlighting Chelsea Truck Co’s mission to enhance the 4×4 market and elevating the 4×4 experience. This vehicle blends the practicality of the Ineos Grenadier with KAHN®’s signature craftsmanship.
Every detail shows a dedication to excellence that never wavers. The Grandmaster is more than just a vehicle—it’s a statement of prestige that combines classic heritage with modern elegance. It proves that luxury, performance, and design can come together naturally, turning every drive into something special.
We’re pushing the boundaries with this particular market find. We suspect it’s a specification straight out of the 1981 order book. We can’t confirm the color name or code. And, it’s in Europe, meaning our primarily North American audience would have to import it. Luckily enough, its 1981 model year makes it an easy import. Its excellent specification and remarkably preserved condition also makes it easy on the eyes.
For those not familiar with the Maserati Merak, it’s a mid-engine Italian sportscar from the 1970s and into the 1980s, a halcyon era of that genre. Penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro, it has all of the exotic feel of more known 70s/80s mid-engine Italian offerings from Ferrari or Lamborghini, but we’d argue it’s just as exotic a look… especially when built to an exquisite specification.
Regarding specification, drivetrain may be arguably not exotic in 2000 GT form. Maserati launched the 2000 GT in 1977 almost exclusively for the Italian market. The Merak 2000 GT was built to avoid Italian customers from being penalized with a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 19% for any cars over 2-liters of displacement. That tax was deflating enough to Italian car manufacturer sales that brands began to specially make 2-liter examples of their entry-level models. Ferrari launched its 208 GTB, Lamborghini introduced the Urraco P200 and Maserati added the Merak 2000 GT.
Unlike today where Maserati and Ferrari can largely pull from the same corporate parts bin, the brand was owned by Citroën at that time. In as much, Maserati developers turned to the French manufacturer to source a workable engine, and for this it replaced the Merak SS’s 2.9-liter V6 derived from Citroën SM’s 2.7-liter V6 with a smaller 2.0-liter V6 also from the SM.
Visually, the 2000 GT is most easily identified for its black side stripes that run horizontally down the mid-section of the body. Over time, a lot of 2000 GTs had their stripes removed to look higher dollar, though its likely that cars still sporting the original stripes as this one does are probably worth more today.
The Merak 2000 GT was offered in just two colors, a metallic blue or this other metallic that is often referred to as “gold”, though we’d argue is a bit more of a light brown. We’re not 100% sure of the name though as we were unable to dig up any confirmation of the paint colors or codes, despite ample searching and the dealer’s own detailed listing. If you know the color or code, drop us a note in the comments below.
Whatever the case of the name, the look of the color is very unique. Browns were popular in that time period though typically fell out of vogue, and certainly weren’t the more usual reds or blues the mass market tends to prefer. In our eyes, that makes it more unique, and it also makes it incredibly paired with the particular highly preserved tartan interior of this car.
Inside, brown leather helps elevate the feel of quality of an era of dashboard and center console that’s not always the most robust. Here, it looks well-kept and well-paired with tan fabric seats and brown and tan tartan seat centers. Whereas the 2000 GT may not be the most preferable drivetrain, this interior makes this car incredibly attractive despite its power deficiencies.
This Merak 200 GT is listed for sale at Gallery Aaldering in Brummen, NL. Yes, that means you’ll have to import it if you want it. It’s logged just 14,925 km (9,273 miles), so it’s practically new by that count.
If you’re interested in seeing more of the car, you can check it out HERE.
The special limited edition Audi RS 6 Avant GT is beginning to land in certain markets, which means we’re also getting our first good look at real world photos. In this case, it’s the UK market specification built in Arkona White with Heritage stripes and graphics provided in this set of PR photos from Audi UK.
One of the things we like to analyze about galleries such as this one is the detail work that maybe wasn’t revealed in the initial run of launch photos. For instance, we can see inner layers of carbon fiber within the vents aft the front wheels on the carbon front fenders, or the exposed carbon fiber on the all-carbon hood.
Though right hand drive, this is the same specification we’re expecting in the USA save the optional shell sport seats that tragically haven’t been federalized.
We’ve gone ahead and published the whole set. Enjoy.
