In a lot of ways, the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon you see here may represent the trifecta – at least by your measure.
For starters, though notably more expensive than most other SUVs on the market, the block-shaped G-wagon from Mercedes-Benz represents all things geometrically good about the 1980s yet underpins that with modern tech.
Next up, so-called “Monoblock” alloys have been associated with AMG since long before Mercedes-Benz even purchased the fabled Mercedes tuner and reconfigured it to be the brand’s in-house performance sub-brand. The look is consistently a wide and heavy-faced rim with five relatively short spokes around the outer perimeter. Monoblocks reappeared on the G-wagon a few years ago and rich history helps bestow them with a “just right” sort of feeling. Add in black finish on a black optics car for extra points.
Now, about that paint. Should you click over to the G 63 configurator (found HERE), you’ll find twelve standard colors on the G 63 and 25 more pre-approved MANUFAKTUR special colors. Among them is China Blue, a light non-metallic pastel blue that dates back to the 70s and, we’d argue, looks timeless on a timeless design like the G-wagon.
Also worth noting, the interior on this G is Macchiato Beige Leather with Black Leather accents.
So, in our opinion, this particular G being listed by a private party in South Carolina is the trifecta. If you agree, check it out via the Facebook marketplace link above.
What: 2002 BMW 525i Touring Color: BMW Slate Green (schiefgrün; metallic UNI; 449; BMW) VIN: WBADS43452GD86927 Mileage: 193,400 Price at Time of this Writing: $5,655 with 1 Day Left CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: see photo gallery Location: Moss Beach, CA Auction listing:Link
From the discount tailored rack comes this well preserved and rare specification BMW 525i Touring we found listed over on Cars and Bids. Whether or not you count it as truly tailored is up to you. The exterior color of Slate Green was a standard offering on the E39. And, though we haven’t yet found it in period catalogues, the interior specification of Stone Green and Black doesn’t appear to be listed as special order on the attached Monroney window sticker.
So, it’s a rare spec then and not a tailored ride. Even still, it’s a rare specification that includes tone-on-tone coloring with green on the outside and green on the inside. That all makes it very tasteful.
Alas, it does have an automatic transmission so the true obscure wagon nerds who are seeking gears they can row may find that part a disappointment, but close inspection of the attached photos over on Cars and Bids also shows very detailed record keeping for this car’s nearly 200,000 miles logged, not to mention well-preserved condition in the many photos.
What: 2022 Audi SQ8 Color: Audi exclusive Kemora Grey Metallic(metallic-UNI; LX7F; Audi) VIN: WA1CWBF18ND017646 Mileage: 10,233 miles Price at Time of this Writing: $TBD CarFax:Link Window Sticker: N/A Location: Audi North Houston, TX Dealer listing:Link
Audi exclusive’s Kemora Grey is certainly a stunner, and Sewell’s Audi North Houston are big fans. How do we know? Well, this is the second build we’ve seen from them in Tailored Driver’s brief history, with the prior being this Audi S7. We also count ourselves among the Kemora faithful, and think it looks quite handsome in this application. As this just arrived at Audi North Houston, we’re eager for more images and an asking price.
What: 2025 Audi A6 allroad Color: Audi exclusive Nogaro Blue(nogaroblau; pearl effect UNI; Z5M; Audi) VIN: WAU72BF22SN028432 Mileage: 12 miles Price at Time of this Writing: $81,995 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Audi Fresno, Fresno, CA Dealer listing:Link
Ever since it dropped as “RS Blue” on the original RS2, Nogaro Blue rose to legend status. Adding it to any Audi station wagon immediately amplifies appeal given the heritage, inspiring the building of countless Audi exclusive long roofs from mundane small displacement wagons to the most bruiser of RS cars. Whatever the case, they’ve got our attention and this time around it’s Audi Fresno with the A6 allroad you see here.
This particular car is part of Audi Fresno’s new car fleet, so golf clap to that dealership for going off script and ordering something this cool. Equipment is Premium Plus, likely meant to keep the car from venturing too close to six figures that tends to be RS 6 territory.
Update: This ran in the Audi exclusive Classifieds Group we manage on Facebook. A user in there, John Finley shared the following first hand information. “Saw it yesterday. The fender trim is matte Nogaro, which was kind of weird but didn’t look bad. It was a gift from Audi, so base trim. If anybody wants to go look at it, ask for Aidan Sherman. Good salesman and loves wagons as well.”
What: 2021 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Color: Paint to Sample Viola Metallic(viola; metallic UNI; 39G / 3AE / 54; Porsche) VIN: WP0AC2A88MS289456 Mileage: 4,597 miles Price: $159,888 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: N/A Location: San Luis Obispo, CA Link:Porsche San Luis Obispo
The 718 Cayman GT4 (and Boxster Spyder for that matter) are Tailored Driver favorites for a number of reasons, most of them fairly obvious- size, shape, power, etc. Further tugging on our heartstrings, this particular example is finished in the dark and moody Viola Metallic, paired with Carbon Fiber bucket seats that happen to feature CXX-tailored Hounds Tooth inserts. Someone really lucky is going to get this, shame it won’t be us.
As the automotive community gets ready for The Amelia weekend March 6-9, we wanted to take a look back at one of the cars that very quickly grabbed our attention on site last year. Amidst the main show field sat an installation by Bentley, and within that this very unique Continental GTC.
One of the things we love about companies like Bentley is their readiness to jump into tailored and commissioned builds, with display cars for key events like The Amelia offering a perfect opportunity to show off their capabilities. This car, appearing to pay tribute to The Dames Point Bridge as seen on its infotainment screen, is fitting in that it harks the nearby structure in nearby Jacksonville, FL. The span, part of I-295 north and south, spans the St. Johns River to connect downtown Jacksonville with points north… points such as Amelia Island, FL that The Amelia calls home.
At the heart of any Mulliner build like this is are the special touches. The car’s Silver Taupe (silvertaupe; metallic Uni; 6745; Bentley Mulliner) exterior paint is a light metallic brown that seems an obvious nod to the concrete hue of the Dames Point Bridge. Accents to that paint include a Sky Blue painted pinstripe and Carbon Fiber Bodykit Styling Specification excluding the Bootlid Spoiler. The lower brightware of the GTC is here again color matched in Silver Taupe.
Obviously, a color harkening concrete is going to be subtle, which sets up perfectly for this cabriolet’s more bold cabin specification.
Inside, the tribute is to the blue waters of the St. Johns River, the interior leather receives Bentley’s Color Split D configuration, with primary hide being striking Sky Blue, with secondary hide of Beluga and accent hide and seat bolsters in Stratos.
Frankly, the level of specification for a display car befitting a venue such as The Amelia is staggering, so we reached out to Bentley to get the full Mulliner specification for this remarkable interior. Unsurprisingly, it’s a substantial list. It includes:
Bespoke Colour Split (Based on Colour Split D):
Beluga Secondary Hide.
Sky Blue Main Hide.
Scratos Accent Hide.
Seat Bolsters in Stratos.
Steering Wheel 6 O’Clock Spoke in Sky Blue.
Concrast Gear Lever and Steering Wheel Accent Tab in Scratos.
Contrast Stitching to Standard Areas with Additional Seat Piping in White.
Addiditional Contrast Stitching to Door Armrests in White.
Piano Black Veneer:
Sky Blue Pinscripe to Fascia and Door Waistrails (Including Upper Bullseye Vane).
Bentayga Brushed Metal Finish to Centre Console.
Concrast Stitching to Inner and Outer Diamonds of MDS Quilt Pattern in Stratos.
Concrast Mulliner Steering Wheel Honeycomb Stitching in Stracos.
Embroidered Bentley Emblems – Contrast in Stratos.
Personalised Dames Point Bridge Overlay on Bentley Rotating Display.
Mulliner Overmats:
Beluga Carpet.
Beluga Binding and Scitch.
White Micropipe.
The list of additional standard order book options for this Dames Point show car is also robust. On the outside, this included 22-inch ten spoke wheels painted black, Touring Specification, Blackline Specification, Styling Specification, Black Roof, LED welcome Lamps “By Mulliner”, and standard brakes with black painted calipers. Order book options inside the car include carpets matched to secondary hide, front seat Comfort Specification, Mood Lighting Specification, Naim for Bentley audio, Bentley Rotating Display, heated single-tone 3-spoke steering wheel, Leather Specification and Mulliner Colour Specification.
What will Bentley bring for 2025? We’ll all have to wait and see.
What: 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Color: Fantasy Yellow (fantasiegelb; non-metallic; DB 653; Mercedes-Benz) Chassis: 198.042-10-002756 Mileage: 38,447 miles Price Estimate: $1,400,000 to $1,700,000 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: RM Sotheby’s 2025 Miami Auction, Coral Gables, FL Listing: Link
Mercedes made big news at the 1957 Geneva Motor Show when it revealed the 300 SL Roadster as a replacement for the iconic 300 SL Coupe also known as the “Gullwing”. Additional chassis reinforcement took weight up, though further improvements such as a fully synchronized gearbox, improved engine (dropping direct injection), rear axle design assured the newer and heavier Roadster remained one of the fastest accelerating cars available in those years.
In 1960, the Roadster received upgraded larger drum brakes known as “racing drums” as a bridge until new Dunlop disc brakes debuted at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, exhibited on an identical car to this one given it shared the same striking orange Fantasy Yellow paint. In addition to the Geneva Motor Show “disc brake” Roadster, Mercedes also built a second “big drum-brake” car also for exhibition purposes. This is that second car.
There is no question that the specification was a special order at the time. This included Fantasy Yellow bodywork (DB 653) over black leather (1090) with black soft-top (872) and a black hardtop (DB 040) trimmed with Crème headliner (E4). The car also received English instrumentation, a 3.64 rear axle, 15-inch Kronprinz wheels, chrome disc wheel covers, and quality checks to ensure that it was “suitable for exhibition.”
Revealed in the car’s accompanying factory data card, the “big drum-brake Roadster”, chassis 2756, was originally ordered in late 1960 as a “Standenwagen”, meant for Mercedes-Benz to exhibit at the aforementioned 1961 Geneva Motor show. Interestingly, it appears its commission number was then reassigned to the “disc brake Roadster” that Mercedes ultimately placed on the stand in order to debut the disc brake upgrade at the show.
Of the entire run of 1,858 300 SL Roadsters built between 1957 and 1963, only five were ever finished in Fantasy Yellow. Of those five, only the two mentioned brave were recorded for exhibition use.
Further information revealed in the factory data card suggest it may have been used at the 1961 Tokyo Motor Show, and was most definitely retained by Mercedes’ Exhibition Department or use in company advertisements as late as 1962. It also received a new engine before leaving Mercedes’ ownership, which is the same engine fitted in the car today.
In early 1963, the car was sold to its first owner outside the factory. David Jackson used the car at both his residences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Jackson sold the car nine years later to Dr. R.L. Huntworth of Huntington, West Virginia who kept the car for six years before selling it on. The next owner was John Walker, principal of Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati, who kept the car for two years before selling it to Jack Hahn who would own the car for the next 40 years. In 2013, the yellow Roadster was acquired by Jim Gusweiler of Ohio. The car would next enter the hands of a renowned California collector who commissioned a nearly two-year restoration by Legendary Classic Center of Costa Mesa, California that was completed in 2015.
It’s at this time that the interior and soft top were refinished to the dark green you see here. One other modification is noted at this time, the addition of Rudge wheels that were color-matched in Fantasy Yellow
What: 2018 BMW M3 Competition Color: BMW Individual Speed Yellow(speedgelb; non metallic UNI; U96/1; BMW) VIN: WBS8M9C50J5J78569 Mileage: 20,502 miles Price: $69,999 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Brooklyn, NY Link:Brooklyn Auto Sales
While historically Speed Yellow is a Porsche color, as we’ve proven before Stuttgart’s finest hues tend to translate incredibly well to other German brand models. Shown here on an F80-generation M3 Competition with all the right boxes ticked- Carbon roof, Cloth seats, 6 Speed manual- and fairly low mileage, it’s a compelling package. Tailored Driver fans will also note the location of this car, Brooklyn Auto Sales, as they’re a similarly minded outfit with more than a few Tailored cars at any given time.
What: 2021 Porsche 911 Carrera S Color: Paint to Sample Brewster Green(brewstergrün; nonmetallic UNI; 22B; Porsche) VIN: WP0AB2A92MS223013 Mileage: 3,019 miles Price: $149,992 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: N/A Location: Larchmont, NY Link:Porsche Larchmont
Porscheflation aside, this $149,992 992.1-generation 911 Carrera S has a lot going for it. Brewster Green is always a hit regardless of application, as are cloth-centered seats and three pedals. But what really does it for us on this particular Tailored Driver is the restraint shown on the build. No heritage pack, no carbon brakes, just a traditional Paint to Sample choice for what never quite became a daily driver. We’d be more than happy to right that wrong, and feel that this Tailored Driver represents a good value when compared to non-PTS comps.
What: 1993 BMW 316i Touring Color: BMW Individual Daytona Violet(daytonaviolett; metallic uni; 283; BMW) VIN: N/A Mileage: 142,915 miles Price: $14,000 OBO CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Woodstock, GA Link: Facebook Marketplace
Given the E30 BMW 3-Series was never sold as a station wagon (a.k.a. Touring in BMW speak) in the United States, nor did it sell the 1.6-liter 316 version, this car would likely qualify for one of our European Market Watch finds… except it’s already present in the U.S.A. according to Facebook Marketplace for Woodstock, Georgia.
As specifications go, it’s compelling. BMW Individual Daytona Violet paint over handsome sport cloth, a 5-speed manual and a wagon make it very compelling. Worth noting though, further shots and video of the car over on Facebook Marketplace also show some wear and tear that is to be expected on a 142,915 mile chassis. The U.S. got the 325i (2.5-liter inline 6) and 318i (1.8-liter four cylinder), meaning this car is less potent than any of the U.S. offerings. Even still, you won’t find wagons in America and you’d be hard pressed to find fun BMW Individual colors like Daytona Violet in this era of American offerings either.
