Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen 300GD

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Born out of a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and off-road specialist Steyr Puch, the first Puch G rolled out of Puch's Austrian factory in 1976.

It was not until 1979 that the car morphed into the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen that we know today – the model proving so successful that it has remained in production to this day, making it the longest running Mercedes-Benz vehicle ever. Available with either a long or short wheelbase, it was built on a rugged ladder chassis and used a permanent 4-wheel drive system. Unlike most other off roaders, it boasted fully locking differentials, which meant that it was possible to get all four wheels to turn at once.

Always popular with the military, public authorities and the farming community, it was soon also adopted by the upmarket 'green welly'  brigade, a bit like our own dear Range-Rover. Its profusion of knobs and levers, together with its rugged and functional interior did however cause a few problems, the UK importer preferring to sell them through their Commercial Vehicle Network to prevent customers buying them for status rather than function and becoming disillusioned with the MB brand in the process.

Recently purchased through a dealer in Yorkshire, this superb example has had four previous owners, the last keeping it for around 15 years, dry storing the car for the last five. MOTd until February 2015 it has covered under 110,000 miles since new and, according to the supplying dealer, has a comprehensive service record although we had not viewed this at the time of writing. Six old MOTs are on file.

In lovely condition throughout, it is hard to believe that it is twenty-four years old, the interior looking as if it has barely been sat in. Powered by the powerful three-litre diesel, 300GD G-Wagens in this condition are few and far between. With something of a cult developing around them, this may be a good time to jump aboard and see what all the fuss is about.