From the CJ Willys to the Toyota Land Cruisers, some of the best SUVs are those which are born out of military necessity. Unfortunately, it seems the same can be said for many of our technological advancements.
But that’s a subject for another time. Today, we’re focusing on the Mercedes G-Wagen. Built in 1979, the G-Wagen got its name from the German word Geländewagen. Short for “cross country vehicle,” the Geländewagen was first commissioned by the Shah of Iran, who was at the time a significant Mercedes shareholder.
Tough Luxury
As you can imagine, a military SUV commissioned by the leader of the Iranian monarchy couldn’t just be a panic room with four wheels and a windshield. Rather, the Mercedes G-Wagen needed to be as comfortable as a night in The Plaza Hotel, and as formidable as a charging Rhino.
And it is. Many versions of the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen have been, and are still being developed, but almost all of them live up to their cross country name.
Otto’s Journey
One G-Wagen in particular sticks out among the rest, though. This is the story of Otto, and Gunther Holtorf. Holtorf, an absolute legend of a man, has visited 215 different countries in his Mercedes-Benz 300 GD. Otto, as he calls the G-Wagen, has traversed nearly 900,000 kilometers, or 560,000 miles. Miraculously, the only major repairs Holtorf had to make on his 26-year journey were to Otto’s the front axle bearings. Eight separate times.
Otto’s Journey is an incredible testament to what these vehicles are capable of when cared for.
The Sad Reality
Most people wouldn’t dare take their G-Wagen off the pavement. Keep an eye out, and you’ll see G-Wagens perusing the suburbs of Cary, North Carolina without so much as a fleck of mud on their tires. Which, we understand. The vehicles are beautiful, safe, and comfortable – why take them off road unless you have to?
Gunther Holtorf would answer, because you want to.
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