In the same way that wolves evolved into your family’s beloved golden retriever, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has metamorphosed from a stainless steel military machine into an aluminium-bodied urban cruiser, favoured by soccer moms and rappers with a penchant for 23-inch rims. While the latest iteration of the G-Wagon is no doubt a far more useable, civilised, and comfortable machine than its army ancestors, there’s no denying some of the noble G-Class’ rugged charm has been lost in the process. Therefore we suggest you keep a close eye on Humer, Granner & Co’s upcoming Classic Car & Motorcycle auction on October 18th, where this amazing 1984 Steyr D. Puch 230 GE will go under the hammer. 

Manufactured in Graz, Austria, by Steyr-Daimler-Puch, these G-Wagons were closely related to their Mercedes-badged counterparts, albeit subtly modified to suit the needs of the Swiss military. Between 1983 and 1996, only 4,600 of these bullet-proof off-roaders were built, each powered by a 2.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine putting out a modest 125 horsepower. Unlike the AMG G63s of today, these G-Wagons weren’t built for speed, instead relying on their all-wheel drive and locking axles to conquer anything Switzerland’s wilderness could throw at them. 

As one might expect of a military vehicle, there wasn’t much in the way of creature comforts, but this example — which served at the Swiss Army Logistics Base until 2021 — has been transformed with an Alcantara-trimmed interior complete with yellow stitching to match its vibrant new paint job. If you’re looking for a classic off-roader that will outlast the sun, this 230 GE is the dictionary definition of dependability. 

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