Early AMG-built G-Class models occupy a particularly interesting corner of Mercedes-Benz history.
This 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 GE AMG adds royal ownership, bespoke specification and low mileage to that story, having sold at RM Sotheby’s for $143,000.
Ordered new by Saudi Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the V8-powered G-Class shows how far the luxury off-roader had already moved beyond its utilitarian roots by the early 1990s.
At a glance
- A 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 GE AMG formerly owned by the Saudi royal family sold at auction for $143,000.
- The truck is one of 446 examples built and features a 237 hp 5.0-litre V8, AMG wheels, wider fenders and a special Avantgarde Green finish.
- Its royal commission, pre-factory AMG history and 15,072 miles make it a notable early luxury G-Class.
A royal G-Class in Avantgarde Green
The most immediate draw here is provenance.
The 500 GE AMG was ordered new by Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, a member of the Saudi royal family, and customized to suit his preferences.
Its exterior is finished in Avantgarde Green, a special colour that gives the squared-off G-Class a more distinctive presence than the usual black, silver or white examples often associated with the model.
AMG’s visual upgrades add more substance to the stance without losing the military-derived geometry that defines the G-Wagen.
Wider fenders cover larger AMG alloy wheels, giving the 500 GE AMG a planted look that feels measured rather than excessive.
AMG before the Mercedes takeover
This model belongs to a period when AMG was still an independent tuning house rather than a fully integrated Mercedes-Benz performance division.
That timing matters, because early AMG-modified Mercedes models carry a different kind of appeal from later factory AMG cars.
The 500 GE AMG was produced in very limited numbers, with 446 examples completed after an initial plan for 500 units.
For collectors, that scarcity sits alongside the broader significance of the model as an early V8 G-Class with a luxury brief.
Today’s G-Class is inseparable from performance versions and high-spec interiors, but this 1993 example comes from the era when that identity was still being formed.
V8 power and a tailored cabin
Under the bonnet sits a 5.0-litre V8 rated at 237 hp.
Those numbers are modest by modern AMG standards, but the point of this 500 GE AMG is less about outright pace and more about presence, rarity and period-correct character.
The cabin reflects the same early luxury SUV mindset.
Black and grey leather is paired with walnut wood trim, while automatic climate control, cruise control, heated front seats and an electric sunroof give the interior a more polished long-distance feel.
The odometer reading adds to the appeal, with this example showing just 15,072 miles.
That low mileage, combined with its royal commissioning and limited production status, helps explain why it attracted six-figure bidding.
Details & Specifications
| Brand | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|
| Model | 500 GE AMG |
| Year | 1993 |
| Production | 446 examples |
| Engine | 5.0-litre V8 |
| Power | 237 hp |
| Exterior colour | Avantgarde Green |
| Interior | Black and grey leather with walnut wood trim |
| Notable equipment | Automatic climate control, cruise control, heated front seats, electric sunroof |
| Mileage | 15,072 miles |
| Sale price | $143,000 |
| Auction house | RM Sotheby’s |
This 500 GE AMG sits at the intersection of royal provenance, early AMG history and the G-Class’s evolution into a luxury icon.
At $143,000, it’s a reminder that the most compelling G-Wagens aren’t always the newest or most powerful ones, but the examples with a story that can’t be replicated.
