Unless you’ve been under the proverbial rock, you may have noticed that more and more once-forbidden vehicles are making their way stateside as various makes and models become eligible under the 25-year rule. One model we see more and more of is the military-spec Mercedes-Benz SUV, manufactured in partnership with a company known as Steyr Puch. Though intended for military use, the so-called Geländewagen, or G Wagen, has become increasingly popular as an everyday SUV that Mercedes now sells as a new – and very expensive – truck in its showrooms. This military-spec Geländewagen is how it all began, and is listed here on Hemmings Auctions.

Like the Hummer H1 becoming a fairly soft and cushy SUV in the H2 iteration, the GWagen was a bare-bones, rough-riding SUV with engines that prioritized reliability over performance. Durable inline-six and turbo diesels were the engines of choice in the military variants, and even the two-doors, four-doors, and convertible versions that would later be sold to consumers in Europe. Those models began to trickle stateside before it was very officially imported, and Mercedes soon knew it had a hit on its hands as SUVs grew in popularity. Still, it’s important to remember that while the soccer mom thinks she’s hot stuff in a supercharged G63, the Geländewagen will always be most notable for its reputation as an unkillable war machine.

OK, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but it still always makes me smirk a bit to think that the current owners of a truck like the GWagen think that it’s just some fashion accessory to be swapped for next year’s “It” SUV. For the first few years of production models that came to the U.S., there were some luxuries added, but there was no masking the stout construction and rudimentary design. The truck shown here goes even further, as the military versions included next to zero luxuries or convenience features other than knowing you were likely to reach your destination, slowly, provided it wasn’t taken out by an air strike.

The truck shown here has the venerable OM617 3.0-liter SOHC inline-five, one of Mercedes’ most durable motors. It has the preferred manual transmission and under 50,000 original miles, which should ensure it continues to soldier on long after your grandchildren find it buried in the garage. The seller has refreshed the engine with some fresh seals and gaskets, and it’s said to drive well. The one big stumbling block for these rigs is rust, as both the bodies and the undercarriages are highly susceptible to corrosion. Thankfully, that is not a problem with this rig, which is said to be rust-free. Bidding is light at the moment, as these are worth north of $20K all day long. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Driven By Faith Restorations for the tip!