Drake's G-Class Safari Build: OVO Owl and ICEMAN Details Unveiled

California auto customization shop S-KLUB LA has recently unveiled a custom build made for rapper Drake, based on a rare 1999 Mercedes-Benz G500, transformed into a one-of-a-kind convertible Safari version in the world. It belongs to Drake's personal collection and is not a co-branded production model released by any brand to the public.

Original Vehicle Condition and Year of Origin

The G500 used as the base for this build is a 1999 model imported through European channels, already relatively rare among vehicles of its era. S-KLUB LA chose to carry out a full transformation on this used vehicle with a certain amount of age, rather than starting from a brand-new chassis. 1999 is the year of the base vehicle, and should not be mistaken as the release year of this project, nor should it be confused with a model in Mercedes-Benz's current new car lineup.

Structural Transformation from Enclosed Roof to Open-Top Off-Roader

The customization team first removed the standard enclosed roof, reconfiguring the entire vehicle into a two-door open-top Safari off-road setup, leaving the cabin fully exposed and presenting a silhouette entirely different from the mass-produced G-Wagon. The team added a custom steel luggage rack to the open-top configuration and installed a tubular roll cage around the open cabin, creating a more off-road-oriented, rugged appearance. However, this type of modification pertains to exterior and structural customization, and it has not been publicly disclosed whether it has undergone any additional crash or rollover safety certification.

Personalized Identifiers on the Front and Roof

The most eye-catching changes are concentrated on the center of the front grille, where the original star emblem has been entirely replaced with an exclusive OVO owl logo accented in gold detailing, directly signaling the owner's identity. The custom steel luggage rack on the roof additionally features customized "ICEMAN" lettering, echoing the persona Drake used during a particular album era. These two modifications appear on the front and top of the vehicle respectively, meaning that from both a frontal and overhead view, it is clearly identifiable as an exclusive custom build rather than a standard production model.

How the Interior Echoes the Overall Design

The open cabin interior has likewise been fully customized, including leather seating, bespoke carpet trim, and numerous hand-crafted details throughout. The overall design seeks to layer a more lifestyle-brand-oriented sense of luxury onto the practical skeleton of the late-'90s G-Wagon, creating a contrast between the rugged exterior and the custom interior craftsmanship—one of the main reasons this vehicle is regarded as a one-of-a-kind collector's item.

Details Yet to Be Revealed

As of now, S-KLUB LA has not disclosed the exact completion date, cost of the build, or whether there will be any form of public display or unveiling event for this custom vehicle. Further details are still to be revealed by both parties.