• Vanishingly rare Cabriolet variant of the much sought-after G 500 Classic
• One of two examples exported new to the Sultanate of Oman
• Powered by a 5.0-litre V-8 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission
• In the same family ownership for more than two decades

It was the Shah of Iran, one of Daimler-Benz’s major shareholders, who first pressed for the introduction of the military off-road vehicle that would become the G-Class. Utilitarianism later met luxury with the launch of the revised W463 “G-Wagen” in 1990. It’s no surprise that this high-end off-roader—now loaded with opulent appointments more commonly seen on the S-Class—was a big hit with Middle Eastern buyers.

Chassis 118894 was one of just 211 G 500 Cabriolets built between 1998 and 2001, and of only two exported to the Sultanate of Oman. The car is doubly special as a “Classic” variant, a limited edition model launched in 1999 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the G-Wagen. These desirable examples were marked by their Almandine Black Metallic paint scheme, heated two-tone black-and-purple Nappa leather seats, and 18-inch alloy wheels. They also featured body-coloured bumpers and door mirrors, illuminated sill covers, and walnut interior detailing.

Following export to Oman, this left-hand-drive G 500 allegedly spent time in Germany and the United Kingdom before being bought by the consignor’s late husband, who imported the Mercedes-Benz to Bergamo, Italy and registered it as a historic vehicle on 25 March 2022. The odometer, which would originally have measured in km/h, now displays 108,692 miles at the time of cataloguing. As a seldom-seen Cabriolet variant, this G 500 should be on the radar of any Mercedes-Benz collector.To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mu22.