Description
Compiled by R.M.Clarke, Softbound, 100 Pages, A-MBGW81, ISBN: 9781855203082
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Four-wheel drive continues to be a popular subject among motoring enthusiasts, and this latest volume in our 4x4 series chronicles the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen. In our view, this magnificent machine has always been one of the very best of the breed, although it has been sadly under-appreciated in Great Britain.
Regular readers of Brooklands Books will know that we depend on the generosity and understanding of those who hold the copyright to the features we reproduce. As always, we are delighted to express our gratitude to those who have helped us; on this occasion, our thanks go to the publishers of Asian Auto, Autocar, Autocar and Motor; Bush-Driver, Car, Country Car, Fast Lane, International OffRoader, Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd., Motor, Motor Manual, Off Road and Four-Wheel Drive, Overlander, Performance Car, Pickup, Van and 4WD and What Car?
We are grateful, too, to motoring writer James Taylor for his brief introduction; and we recommend as further reading his words on the G-Wagen in 'Mercedes-Benz, Volume 4, the 1980s', published by Motor Racing Publications.
R. M Clarke
The story of the Mercedes G-Wagen makes much better sense when you realise that it was designed as a military vehicle and was not a pure Mercedes. In the mid-1970s, Mercedes-Benz got together with the Austrian rough-terrain vehicle specialists Steyr-Daimler-Puch, hoping that between them they could come up with a light 4x4 which would win a lucrative military contract in Europe. When that dream evaporated, they decided to put their work to good use by developing the vehicle for civilian markets. In due course, they also managed to secure a number of military contracts.
So the G-Wagen was a hybrid, neither Steyr nor Mercedes, and neither military vehicle nor civilian off-roader. Its military origins always showed, however, notably in the upright styling which was one reason why sales never remotely approached those its manufactures had hoped for. In many markets, its high price also discouraged the customers: a fully equipped G-Wagen could be even more expensive than a Range Rover, and had none of that vehicle's style or road performance.
Nevertheless, the G-Wagen did follow in the Mercedes tradition of being excellently built and extremely durable. As an off-road performer it had few equals, let alone betters; and in later years its interior was decked out to the same high standards as Mercedes' hugely respected saloons. For Mercedes owners who wanted a dual-purpose off-road vehicle, it was perfect, and for those who prized its workhorse nature above aesthetics and road performance, it was a natural purchase. A read through the reports contained in this book will reaveal just what a good vehicle it really was.
James Taylor
