From the August 2017 issue
The first design studies for the Mercedes-Benz Gelände­wagen were made in 1973, appropriately, out of wood. Clay was far too amorphous a material for the domineering angularity of this proto-SUV. Its styling suited the G-wagen?s intent when it was released globally (but not in the U.S.) in 1979. ?It was meant to be an off-road vehicle for civilian and non-civilian use,? says Marcus Maurer, the model?s current technical director. ?So the vehicle was developed very form-follows-function.?
This meant meeting military demands (one of the first large orders came from the Shah of Iran, though it was canceled when the Islamic Revolution deposed him). Features included a narrow track, locking differentials, and, on convertibles, a folding windshield for easy shipping. But the G?s actual use immediately went off the rails?or, rather, not off the rails. As with contemporary trucks such as the Range Rover, well-heeled urban and suburban consumers were drawn to the G-class?s rugged good looks, but the Benz had an added aura of security and menace. Aware of these upscale buyers, Mercedes added a more luxurious iteration to the lineup in 1989. Known internally as the 463, it was available with wood trim, leather seats, and anti-lock brakes. It quickly became the best seller, accounting for more than 70 percent of orders.

Mercedes-Benz G400 CDI
Though the truck wasn?t officially available in America, casual importers sold them borderline legally on the gray ...