Mercedes G-Wagen Turns 30: The 11 Best Special Versions [A G-Thang]

Published Feb. 16, 2009 at 8:30 p.m.

In 1979, the first Galendewagen, debuted. Built to take over small countries, the über-cool G-wagen is testosterone incarnate. Below we look at the 11 best special versions ever built of this brutishly beautiful Benz.

In the 30 years of production the G-Wagen has only gone through two generations. In 1990, the second Galendewagen appeared with a slightly freshened look, new safety features, a revised full-time four-wheel drive system and a more luxurious interior.

Despite only being officially on sale in the US since 2002 as the G-Class or G-Series, folks've been importing and selling this vehicle in the US on the grey market for more than two decades.

Because the macho Mercedes is such a capable vehicle, there have been numerous special versions for everyone from the Shah to the Pope. Here are 11 of our favorites.

11.) EDITION30 G.PUR

Designed to commemorate three decades of luxurious off-roading, this special edition combines the design and style of the original with the performance and capability of the current G-wagen.

10.) First Generation Box Van

Whether for moving your stuff or moving across town or for moving a team of NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps troops into place against a target, these vans have seen duty all over the world.

9.) G55 AMG (W463)

The basic G500 already brings overwhelming power to the G with a 5.0-liter V8. The 2001 G55 AMG maintains a fairly subtle look but upgrades to a 5.5-liter V8 good for 476 HP. This propels the heavy truck to 60 MPH in less than five seconds. Wheeeeee!

8.) The New Popemobile

Mercedes has a long history with the Pope (check out our history of the Popemobile) and one of the most recent additions is this stylish and bullet-proof, open-air Mercedes G500.

7.) Notarzt Rapid-Response Medical Truck

The Germans have always been on the forefront of emergency response practices with their "notarzt" system, which puts doctors in rapid-response vehicles to provide a higher-level of emergency car on-scene. If we were to flip out on the autobahn we'd feel comforted by the site of this.

6.) Stretch G-Wagen Limousine

When you think "Rapper's Delight" you may think Sugarhill Gang but, in reality, it's the G-wagen. A delight of hip hop stars everywhere, the stretched G-Wagen limo is the way to really make a scene in a rap video.

5.) Paris To Beijing Globecrawler

The Paris-to-Beijing marathon is the new hip cross-continent trip and there are few vehicles we'd feel safer making the trip in than this beastly Benz.

4.) The Papa-G Popemobile

His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, actually received three Benzes from Mercedes in 1980, but the 230G with its Plexiglas dome is forever pictured as the "Popemobile" for most of the world.

3.) 1983 Paris To Dakar Rally Winner

Driven by Jacky Ickx and Claude Brassuer, this 280 G won the Paris to Dakar rally in 1983, making speed from Alger to Chifra to Korhogo and on to Dakar.

2.) G-Truck

A G-Wagen Camino? A Galendamino? Whatever you call it, this is one tough way to move...flowers. If we had one of these we'd find something better to carry than posies, but it speaks to the dual nature of the vehicle.

1.) Polizei G-Wagen

When someone mentions a G-wagen we immediately picture a German police green with a big blue cherry on top and the words POLIZEI painted in white on the side. You can keep your Dodge Intrepid, we'd take this in a chase across the woods, the 'Bahn, a river or a border any day.

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