Market Find: 1996 Mercedes-Benz 290 GD (Puch) in Chinablau

What: 1996 Mercedes-Benz G 290
Color: China Blue(chinablau; non-metallic uni; DB934.; Mercedes-Benz)
VIN: unknown
Mileage: 30.060 km
Price: €129,750
Location: Bernard Handelsgesellschaft GmbH. Bad Driburg, Germany
Listing: Link

This long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz 290 GD—built in Puch specification for the Swiss market—represents one of the lower-production variants of the W460/W461 series. According to the seller, only 1,836 long-wheelbase 290 GD units were produced, with 355 delivered as Puch-badged examples. This vehicle retains its Swiss documentation, including emissions paperwork and delivery records, and shows 30,060 km.

The truck uses the OM602 2.9-liter five-cylinder diesel paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. The configuration includes selectable four-wheel drive with a low-range transfer case and locking differentials at both axles—typical of Swiss-market utility G-models. The listing notes that the vehicle recently received a comprehensive service and will be sold with a DEKRA inspection and German registration.

Finished in Chinablau with black/grey plaid cloth, the truck carries a long list of factory and period-correct equipment, including power steering, air conditioning, large “Bügelspiegel” mirrors, steel wheels in body color, and protective elements such as lamp guards, front ram protection, and a front tow bumper. Additional equipment includes BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires (new, five-piece set), a Mercedes roof rack with rear ladder, an updated tow hitch rated at 3,500 kg, and various cargo-area utility touches such as water-drain floor plugs and storage compartments.

As a Swiss-market Puch example in Chinablau with low kilometers and extensive documentation, this 290 GD aligns with what many collectors look for in preserved W460/W461 trucks. The model becomes eligible for historic registration in 2026, which adds further relevance for buyers seeking a documented, minimally used example of a late-era mechanical-diesel G-model.