(The problem with me losing everything from the old blog was I have no idea if some of the Friday Rides will be repeats. I'm sure some will but I'll try to avoid it.)
1934 Mercedes-Benz W31 Type G4 6-Wheeler that was specially designed for Adolf Hitler and his generals.
The W31 Type G4 6-Wheeler 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 wheel 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.
So that’s how the most famous German winner of the 1940 Tour de France was accomplished
ReplyDeleteBullet proof glass in front, what about the sides and rear? Just shoot ole Hitler in the back of the head?
ReplyDeleteI couldn't find 'proof' but there were several articles that said bullet-proof glass was installed all around.
DeleteAND we would have been better off if somebody had taken that shot.
That would be cool to have and use as a tow vehicle for an upscale travel trailer. You would be going in style!
ReplyDeleteI would happily trailer it to car shows and stuff like that but I would always be concerned about it on the road just because people seem to act like retards on the highway when they get distracted.
DeleteNot 6x6. Front axel clearly visible with no differential only the rear wheels are powered
ReplyDeleteYou are correct. I have made corrections to the article I copied. Thanks.
DeleteI did a quick search and I guess it was just the one article that I got some of the photos from that incorrectly labeled it as 6x6. All the rest identified it as 6x4. I should have caught that.
The Mercedes-Benz-AMG G63 6×6 was a true 6x6. Only produced from 2013 to 2015.
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