1934 Mercedes-Benz W31 Type G4 6-Wheeler
(I thought I posted this yesterday, Better late than never.)
The W31 Type G4 6-Wheeler was specially designed for Adolf Hitler and his Generals and were mainly used by upper echelons of the Nazi regime in parades and inspections.
It features bulletproof front glass, reinforced bodywork, and secret compartments for weapons.
About 54 “W31 Type G4” machines were built between 1933 and 1939, of which three still exist in original form.
Features on this 6×6 truck included bulletproof front glass, reinforced bodywork, and secret compartments for weapons.
The three-axle off-road vehicle was first produced by Mercedes-Benz as a staff/command car for the Wehrmacht in 1934. The G4, a development of the G1 that was launched in 1926, were designed as a seven-seat touring car or closed Saloon.
The vehicles painted with gloss gray bodies over gloss black fenders were first delivered to the SS for use by Hitler and his adjutant. By the end of the war, the vehicles had all received anti-reflective matte and/or camouflage finishes in accordance with their military purpose.
Many G4 vehicles belonging to the highest-ranking party members also featured rear-facing spotlights to be used to temporarily blind unauthorized drivers who followed too closely.
The vehicles were powered by different powertrains, including an 8-cylinder 540 K-motor without supercharger, churning out 115 hp, allowing a top speed of only 67 km/h (42 mph), limited by the type of all-terrain tyres.
About 72 specimens and 54 production vehicles of the six-Wheeler “Mercedes-Benz W31 type G4” offroading machines were built between 1933 and 1939, of which three still exist in original form. One of them exists in a museum in California.
Today, the Mercedes-AMG G63 6×6, produced from 2013 to 2015, comes to mind when discussing six-wheeled vehicles that ever rolled out of the German car manufacturer’s assembly plant.
At the time, the G63 6×6 was the company’s largest and second most expensive street-legal offroad vehicle, with some used ones selling well over the $1 million mark.
That would be a trailer towing behemoth, especially with a turbo Cummins diesel and be styling!
ReplyDeleteNot the typical vehicle I post but I was very impressed. I like almost everything about this car ... and like you mentioned, a more rugged, powerful powerplant would be a necessity.
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