Notifications
Clear all
Forum 18
15
Posts
6
Users
44
Reactions
314
Views
Topic starter
29/11/2025 12:24 pm
The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon began in the 1970s from a request by the Shah of Iran to Mercedes to build a military cross country vehicle around 1970. By 1972, Daimler-Benz, collaborating with truck builder Steyr-Daimler-Puch in Austria, developed and tested hand built prototypes in desert and Arctic conditions and by 1979 production began. The following year, it received international publicity when the Vatican purchased one for the Popemobile when fitted with a clear thermoplastic top. Ironically, the first military use was in the Argentine Army. As it became used by West Germany, it was the envy of East German border guards. Initially, the G-Wagon was a no-frills leaky rattletrap but was continually refined when it was sold to civilians. For many years, Mercedes did not attempt to sell in the American market where it would have to compete with the more stylish and better built SUVs, but the cache of a Mercedes SUV intrigued the elites and many were imported and "gray marketed" to conform to American regulations. By then, Mercedes began to turn the lowly G-Wagon into a powerful luxury vehicle. Now, I live in an area almost surrounded by wealthy neighborhoods, and when the trend-setting Kardashians started tooling down Rodeo Drive in their top of the line G55 Kompressor AMGs suddenly they were all over the road around me. So these 493 HP monsters, capable of 0-62 in 5.5 seconds were driven around the towns by trophy wives as glorified grocery-getters. A few years back, though, they began to disappear, being replaced by the now ubiquitous $250,000 Range Rovers and the 650 HP Cayenne Turbo GT ... the next fad of the rich and famous. As to the Porsche, 0-60 in 3.3 seconds will get you to the supermarket in record time.
29/11/2025 1:19 pm
Cool model and very interesting background report.
The Mercedes G Wagon is still pretty common in California, but in the automotive world, what isn't, right? The starting price is $153,900, with the AMG version starting at $195,500. Gulp!
Personally, the appeal is lost on me. Other than an entirely different exterior design from all other M-B vehicles, I cannot grasp the justification for the inflated cost. But, I ain't got money to burn like many in California!
29/11/2025 2:04 pm
...yeah, like Marty, I don't get it. 🙄 🙄 I've seen a few here and there and not even known how special/expensive they are. It's a GREAT looking model though and perfectly photographed! 😎 😎 😎
29/11/2025 4:27 pm
Since it was just going to sit there and look pretty I was ok with the HWs model. I thought that HWs may have messed up with the fog and back-up lights but, no, they didn't. White on one side 'n red on the other.
Steve
Topic starter
29/11/2025 7:17 pm
@100ford2003 Interesting. I had no idea Hot Wheels made one.
Steve Jacobs and Christopher Moroni reacted
Topic starter
29/11/2025 7:20 pm
@marty-johnson It was a status symbol all the way, I wonder if Mercedes gave one to the Kardashians. If so, it was worth millions in publicity.
Marty Johnson and Christopher Moroni reacted
30/11/2025 10:43 am
In Beverly Hills, the G Wagons are as common as Teslas in California! LOL!@marty-johnson It was a status symbol all the way, I wonder if Mercedes gave one to the Kardashians. If so, it was worth millions in publicity.
And speaking of BH, my wife and I have an annual Christmas tradition. On Christmas Eve, we drive through Hollywood past Groman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard to see the crowds of tourists enjoying the myriad of sidewalk entertainment. Then we drive south to Sunset Blvd and on to Rodeo Drive. We'll park and walk Rodeo and Canon to take in the store window displays showing unbelievably unaffordable clothing and take note of the hundreds of languages we hear from the foreign tourists visiting So Cal for Christmas. We cap off the night with a visit to Pink's Coney Island, as it's the ONLY day of the year that there isn't a one-hour line to order chili hot dogs!
30/11/2025 11:32 am
I've never had a Nathan's! It's on my bucket list if I ever get back to NYC! It's like a thing that MUST be done when visiting the "Big Apple!"@marty-johnson I love a good Nathan's Coney Island chili dog.
30/11/2025 11:57 am
"Pink's Coney Island, as it's the ONLY day of the year that there isn't a one-hour line to order chili hot dogs!"
That's surprising, but what's really shocking is that I see two American cars - counting yours - in that pic. Two American cars on one street in CA? I've seen everything now! 😯 😮
30/11/2025 11:57 am
30/11/2025 3:54 pm
@100ford2003 Interesting. I had no idea Hot Wheels made one.
Just to be clear, I was referring to the rear red light, not fog, in the bumper. I've seen European models with that light used as a parking light when vehicle is parked on a narrow road. Or maybe it was an extra bright brake light. I know my Scirocco had brighter brake lights along with the tail lights.
Christopher Moroni reacted
30/11/2025 4:12 pm
01/12/2025 11:33 am
Yesterday I was sitting next to a G Wagon at a stop light and as I always seem to do, marveled at the uninspired design and the cost. IMO it just backs up my belief that wealth does not necessarily equate to taste. Oh Marty, Your Vette is much more to my liking.
Steve Jacobs reacted