This 1980 Mercedes-Benz 280GE is a great throwback to the lighter side of the Mercedes G-Class line-up, offering the comfort of a hardtop and the option to drop the soft top in nicer weather. Think of it as an upscale Bronco of sorts, with the added endorsement of foreign militaries all over the world that rely on the uber-capable SUV. While Mercedes has offered the pricey four-door G-Wagen stateside for some time, enthusiasts have been importing the models we didn’t get like this short wheelbase 280GE for far longer. Find it here on craigslist for $19,500 in Oregon.

Thanks to Barn Finds reader Roger for the find. The seller doesn’t elaborate as to whether this one came stateside in the early 80s when importers were bringing gray-market Mercedes to the U.S. in droves. Of course, now it’s perfectly legal to bring one into the country as it’s old enough according to importation requirements. No word on where the stripe kit originated, but I’m fairly certain it’s not original equipment. The seller notes that while many of these older G-Classes can get quite crusty, this one has limited rust with some rot noted in the driver’s side rocker / floor junction.

The interior is a utilitarian affair, and even the modern G-Class has to work hard to cover up its bare-bones underpinnings. The driver’s seat exhibits tearing and splitting and will need to be re-done if you seek perfection. The instrument binnacle is super basic, following a theme of providing occupants very little in the way of excess features or creature comforts. Still, that’s part of the charm of owning a vehicle that was designed for military use yet somehow can be purchased and driven by civilians. Of course, as anyone will tell you, owning one of these requires a special appreciation for such a driving experience.

Speaking of driving it, the seller claims this 280GE is ready to travel cross-country. Despite ill-conceived notions that because it’s a Mercedes, it must be unreliable, these machines featured overbuilt drivetrains with next to no electronic features or equipment that is prone to breakage or failure in Mercedes models built for civilians. The 280GE features a gasoline 2.8L six-cylinder engine, along with locking diffs front and rear and a four-speed manual. A speed demon it is not, but that’s not why yu buy one – and it’s likely still light-years quicker than the diesel engined models. A lot of (potential) fun for $20K.