The G-Class, a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Puch, is an off-road classic with a history stretching back over forty years. In his book, author Joachim Hack describes how the G-Class came into being, what changes were made to it over the course of its construction and how the equipment and engine configuration have been adapted to customer requirements over the last 40 years.
A brief history
After a brief look back at the time before the world war, when the two companies were still called Daimler-Motoren-Werke and Puch Werke AG, Joachim Hack's book starts with the history of the G model's origins at the beginning of the 1970s.
He describes how the two companies came together, what the first ideas for the G-Model looked like and what was in the specifications. The beginnings of the joint off-road vehicle are illustrated with sketches and drawings.
The first G-Class
The following 20 pages are dedicated to the models up to 1992, i.e. the actual original model. Hack describes the models with which the triumphant advance of the G model began, how it was initially available in civilian versions, but how the manufacturers hoped for sales opportunities primarily in government and military service.
The successor is coming
From page 40 onwards, the 463 series is presented, which complemented its predecessor, the 460, which was initially built as a facelift with the internal designation 461. The majority of the book, around 100 pages, deals with the period from 1990 to 2018.
Reading Hack makes it clear that the G was constantly becoming more modern, more luxurious and more powerful, even though it still had rigid axles with coil springs, which was certainly not conducive to comfort.
Large selection
The author covers the entire, diverse range, which of course includes the arrival of V8 engines, the tuning variants from AMG, the three-axle models and the luxury versions from Maybach.
New edition of a classic
The show concludes with the "Metamorphosis 2.0", the new edition of the 463 series in 2018, which no longer has much to do with the original model apart from its off-road capability.
The work is rounded off with the technical data of the G-Class engines up to 2019.
Who will like the book?
The main focus of this book is on vehicles built after 1990. Of the more than 200 pages, only 35 pages are dedicated to the history of its creation and the early models. Classic car fans who are primarily interested in the older model series may be disappointed. However, anyone looking for a comprehensive overview, especially of the newer model years, and who also wants to read about the history of this classic off-road vehicle will certainly enjoy the book.
- Title: Mercedes-Benz G-Class
- Author: Joachim Hack
- Language: German
- Publisher: Motorbuch Verlag
- Edition: 1st edition, November 28, 2019
- Format: Hardcover, 27.1 x 23.0 cm
- Scope: 207 pages, over 180 photos and illustrations
- ISBN: 3613041723
- Price: EUR 39.90
- Buy/order: Online at amazon.de, at Motorbuch Verlag, or in specialist bookshops
