From Airborne Military Workhorses to Luxury Drop-Tops: The Rebirth of Paratrooper G-Wagens
Some cars are born with legend status baked in. Others earn it by falling straight out of the sky—literally. Such is the case with a batch of ultra-rare military-spec Geländewagens, originally engineered to be dropped from aircraft with parachutes, now set for an unlikely second life. British firm Arcade Cars has announced an exclusive restomod project that will transform fewer than ten of these utilitarian machines into hand-built luxury convertibles.
Arcade Cars, known for its meticulous restorations of rare and eccentric vehicles, has taken on what may be its most ambitious venture yet. The base vehicle is the little-known Mercedes 240 GD variant, created in period for the Singaporean army. Its unique design brief was simple but extreme: survive a parachute drop. The first reborn example was unveiled this past weekend at a special automotive festival in New York.
Compared to civilian G-Wagens, the military version was stripped to the bone. No roof, no glass, doors replaced with mesh panels, and a windscreen that folded flat onto the hood. The weight savings were critical to making airdrops safer. Even more unusual, these vehicles doubled as cargo containers, carrying soldiers’ gear inside. Just seventy were ever built, and Arcade Cars intends to convert no more than ten into luxury cabriolets.
Every body will undergo comprehensive restoration and anti-corrosion treatment, while the interiors will be remade with premium leather, upscale materials, high-end audio systems, and modern climate control. The result will be an improbable cocktail of paratrooper grit and high society glamour.
Engine and suspension specifications remain under wraps, though Arcade Cars has the expertise to match the mechanicals to the bespoke craftsmanship. From skyfall transporters to boulevard cruisers, these G-Wagens are about to redefine what military surplus can mean.
