Mercedes G-Class Documentary - Most Unique Versions

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A look at the most unique variants of the Mercedes G-Class, including:
300 GD Cabriolet
300 GD "Otto"
500 GE
230 G Short-wheelbase Station Wagon
230 GE Long-wheelbase Station Wagon
230 G "Fire Service" Cabriolet
Classic range
Classic range & the new G-Class
The progenitor of all Mercedes-Benz SUVs
It has set standards since 1979. It has won the Paris-Dakar Rally, even served as a means of transport for the Pope and regularly wins reader votes as an automotive styling icon. The G-Class is a top model amongst luxury off-road vehicles. It is not only the passenger car model series with the longest production run in the history of Mercedes-Benz by far, but also the forefather of all SUVs to bear the three-pointed star - this is why all Mercedes off-road models feature the upper-case G in their name.
From the robust ladder-type frame to the comfortable seats: what also confirms the outstanding quality of the G-Class is the fact that 80 percent of the more than 300,000 examples produced are still in action - either on the roads or off them.
Graz writes history
The endless history of the G-Class began in 1972 with a cooperation agreement between Daimler-Benz AG and Steyr-Daimler-Puch in Graz, Austria. In 1975 the decision was also made to commence series production of the G-models. At the same time it was agreed to construct a new plant in Graz, where the vehicles have been manufactured ever since, mainly built by hand.
The concept on which the partners agreed was radically different from that of other all-wheel drive vehicles at the time. Going against the trend at that time, the plan was to develop neither a Spartan "purely off-roader" nor an all-wheel drive passenger car for the road. Instead, after careful consideration, the product planners, designers and engineers came up with a versatile off-roader with then unparalleled attributes: they firstly required reliability, robustness and superior off-road capabilities, so as to prevail in tough industrial, municipal and military operations. Secondly, the result was to be a fully-fledged, comfortable and above all safe road vehicle that would also find buyers as an exclusive recreational vehicle.
Based on a very strong ladder-type frame
The best solution proved to be separation of the frame from the body, as the future G-Class was to be offered in various body versions from its inception. For this reason, a ladder-type frame has always formed the backbone of the Mercedes-Benz off-roader.
A joint company was founded for sales and construction of the vehicle, Geländefahrzeuggesellschaft mbH in which Daimler-Benz and Steyr-Daimler-Puch each had a 50 percent share. The consortium decided on the simple but distinctive name "G", standing for "Geländewagen" (off-road vehicle). At that time nobody could have guessed that this was an almost visionary decision in view of the later change in the nomenclature of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars classes, using just a single letter.
Production of today's G-Class started on 1 February 1979 in Graz. The complete drive system with engine, transmission, axles and steering came from Daimler-Benz, as did large pressed parts. Punched and small pressed parts, as well as the transfer case, were produced by Steyr-Daimler-Puch.
At the time of its market launch, in the spring of 1979, it was available with a choice of four engine variants covering a performance spectrum of 53 kW/72 hp to 115 kW/156 hp. Customers had the option of a Cabriolet with a short wheelbase and a panel van or Station Wagon each with short or long wheelbase.
In the autumn of 1989, the G-model family gained new members. Alongside the revised original model with the internal model series abbreviation 460, which would from then on remain in service as a "workhorse", the new models of the 463 series extended the range. This started an evolutionary process that not only constantly adapted the off-roader in line with technical advances. It was an evolution that also brought a steadily expanding fan base and emphasised its character as an exclusive vehicle for any occasion.
Popular for special duties and with the Pope
In numerous special-purpose versions, the off-roader also showed its versatility in operation with the police, fire service and rescue services.
The vehicles built for Pope John Paul II, usually known as "Popemobiles", also gained world fame. The Mercedes-Benz 230 G painted in mother-of-pearl with a special glass body accompanied Pope John Paul II on numerous journeys around the world. Mercedes-Benz first made the vehicle available to the Pope for his visit to Germany in late autumn 1980 - initially as a loan. In 1982 another 230 GE followed that was almost identical in terms of the exterior.