Mercedes-Benz
290
GD
Pickup
-
Imported
into
the
U.S.
in
2020
-
Upgraded
2.9-liter
turbo-diesel
engine
fitted
with
non-standard
five-speed
gearbox
-
Practical
extras
include
spare
wheel,
fuel
can,
roof
rack
and
snorkel
Built
on
the
W461
platform
of
the
popular
Mercedes-Benz
G-Wagen,
the
290
GD
Pickup
was
produced
in
low
numbers
by
the
German
marque
between
1992
to
1997.
The
pickup
variant
of
the
truck
reflects
the
roots
of
the
G-Class,
the
model
line
that
was
first
produced
in
1979
as
a
no-frills,
rugged
off-roader,
before
gaining
popularity
as
a
luxury
vehicle.
Stripped
back
for
functionality
with
its
open
cargo
load
area,
the
290
GD
Pickup
is
also
highly
versatile
on
tricky
terrain
thanks
to
its
four-wheel
drive,
low
gearing,
and
locking
differential
over
both
axles.
This
example,
with
its
single
cab
finished
in
matte
dark
green
and
the
fold-down
truck
bed
presented
in
black,
is
understood
to
have
been
imported
into
the
United
States
from
Belgium
in
2020.
The
current
specification
suggests
slight
modifications
from
the
manufacturer
build,
with
this
truck
fitted
with
a
turbocharged
diesel
powertrain.
The
290
GD
models
of
the
era
would
have
been
powered
from
the
factory
by
a
non-turbo,
2.9-liter
diesel
unit.
In
addition,
the
Mercedes-Benz
has
received
an
upgrade
from
its
standard
four-speed
gearbox
to
five-speed,
with
overdrive
transmission,
and
is
equipped
with
air
conditioning,
another
non-standard
feature.
A
spare
wheel
and
metal
jerry
can
are
fixed
to
the
rear
of
the
cab,
also
showing
a
roof
rack
on
top,
and
a
snorkel
around
the
front
to
aid
air
supply
to
the
engine
if
wading
through
water.
The
steel
wheels
are
painted
to
match
the
color
of
the
cab
and
ride
on
knobby
Toyo
Open
Country
tires.
The
load
bay
can
completely
fold
on
three
sides
to
serve
as
a
flat
bed.
Inside
the
cab,
the
truck
sports
refreshingly
simple
design;
wind-up
windows
either
side
and
a
sliding
rear
window
let
in
light,
the
seats
are
finished
in
a
shade
of
green
to
match
the
exterior,
and
a
low-range,
floor-mounted
gear
lever
works
alongside
the
manual
transmission
stick.
If
you
are
in
the
market
for
a
rare
and
collectible
Mercedes-Benz,
please
call
or
email
us
today.