My second concept was less weird, but it was suggested that I stay away from the sawzall… A Targa Wagon! With big piece of glass to seal in the rear seats from the weather - like those old cars where the chauffeur was outside.

Not the whole roof, just the front seat area. Instead, I asked about cutting the roof off. (This is where I should have kept my mouth shut.) It would fill a two lane road when sideways! So I had a general idea of what to build.

We even talked about entering some winter rallies which would be hysterical in a 16′ long wagon.

Kind of like a rally wagon with all the lights. It’s not like this was entirely my idea: Their original project sketches were so cool. I was told to have fun! Build something awesome! This is why I love The Autopian. I was nervous, but I knew it would be fun and I couldn’t wish for better partners. I somehow missed the rhyme with E-Class until I heard we were working with Vredestein’s Wintrac Pro snow tires and realized I might get to drive up a mountain instead! But this project was all happening pretty fast. When I heard “ Ski-Klasse,” I thought we might actually get to ski a car down a mountain. Below, you’ll see what made the cut (literally) and what Matt suggested we save for Phase II of the project. Īfter a bunch of maintenance at FCP Euro and a fresh set of Fifteen52 wheels and Vredestein tires, I finally got to the point where I could cut, weld, and modify our wagon! There was just one problem. Beyond that, they had no real idea other than to hand it over to me to try and make their hilarious sketches come true. The goal was to find out if this common Mercedes platform could be a potential future classic by turning it into something that’s as at home at a rallycross as it is at a music festival. Featuring a handbrake made of a vintage cell phone and a literal disco ball, it’s as wacky as it is capable of crushing powder.Īs a reminder, Matt and The Autopian team purchased a late ’90s Mercedes wagon with the dream of turning it into a ski wagon that was capable of climbing up a mountain and then throwing a big party when it arrived. A play on the E-Class on which it’s based, the vehicle is robust enough to tackle deep snowy passes and also, equally as important, to enjoy some post-ski downtime with friends. Months of wrenching, testing, and breaking things has resulted in the ultimate apres ski machine made from a humble Mercedes wagon.

Instal the new Snowboard Party Lite