EMC White Wolf is a navy Mercedes turned modern-day cruiser

Over the previous couple of many years, specialist automotive restorers have been admitted into the luxurious pantheon. Such outfits have at all times existed, even on the prime tier of the basic automotive funding market, however as of late there are firms able to reworking as soon as prosaic or missed fashions – Vigilante’s Jeep fashions or Nardone’s Porsche 928 – into true luxurious machines. That’s earlier than we’ve obtained into the numerous, many EV convertors on the market, from Everrati, to Inverted and David Brown Automotive. 

It is a contemporary instance of the previous. Expedition Motor Firm is a Californian outfit, based by Alex Levin. The corporate specialises in reworking the unique Mercedes G-Wagen, or Geländewagen, a long-running mannequin that began off as a specialist contract for the German navy and finally advanced right into a slice of brutalist city stylish.

EMC White Wolf G-Wagen

EMC eschews the over-stuffed pretentions of the present mannequin – now generally known as the G-Class – in favour of the stripped-back simplicity of the earliest fashions. Compact by trendy requirements, the unique mannequin is now a cult automotive. EMC ramps up the standard and longevity. Its most up-to-date creation, the White Wolf mannequin proven on the prime of the web page, is a radically overhauled model of a 1990 250 GD Wolf mannequin. 

The ‘Wolf’ appellation signifies the automotive was initially constructed for navy use. EMC has a yard stuffed with camo-painted Geländewagens, decommissioned canvas-topped vans that it’ll finally spec as much as create this Cali-cruiser.

The restoration course of is exhaustive. It takes over 2,000 hours to strip the navy surplus machine again to nuts and bolts, earlier than the chassis, physique and engine and meticulously refurbished, uprated and reassembled. EMC’s physique of selection is a two-door, four-seater convertible – additionally proven right here in a Gulf Blue instance.

As soon as each nut and bolt has been taken aside and refurbished, EMC rebuilds the G-Wagen from the bottom up, utilizing a mixture of authentic elements and brand-new components. This features a specifically developed suspension system that arguably makes the EMC fashions much more agile than the originals.  

Maybe surprisingly, the G-Wagen’s authentic engine is retained, together with the handbook transmission. Mercedes’s five-cylinder diesel engine is perhaps rowing in opposition to the present of widespread sentiment, however it’s undeniably highly effective and dependable, guaranteeing that the White Wolf stays a massively succesful off-roader. 

Performance is paramount. The entrance windscreen will be folded down, as per the unique specification, and trim is heavy obligation wipe-clean vinyl, somewhat than leather-based. Different components are bespoke, such because the wood cupholders and storage tray.

‘The EMC Wolf options navy sturdiness and iconic design, however one of the best half is that these vans are so versatile,’ says Levin. ‘An EMC truck can go anyplace and deal with nearly any terrain with ease. These vans can function the final word seaside cruiser whereas additionally being absolutely able to traversing a winding mountain street with out hesitation.’

Expedition Motor Firm vans begin at $165,000, ExpeditionMotorCompany.com