Mercedes-Benz W31 Type G4 1938-1939

The 1930s was one of the most turbulent decades in modern history. The Great Depression, caused by the fall of the New York stock market in 1929, caused the world economy to be severely depleted and favored the rise of totalitarian ideologies.

It was also the decade in which Europe was heading for a new, but far more devastating, war, following Hitler's rise to power in Germany. From then on, the fuhrer began an escalation of warfare that culminated in the outbreak of World War II on September 1, 1939.

In the midst of this context, Mercedes-Benz produced one of the most special and spectacular cars in its century-long history. An exclusive vehicle, intended only for senior members of the Wehrmacht and, of course, for Hitler.

The Mercedes 540 G4 was conceived as an all-terrain vehicle to move smoothly through the front. A car capable of crossing the terrain destroyed by the weapons, but without sacrificing the luxury and comfort characteristic of the star brand.

It was a very technologically advanced machine, with which Hitler intended to demonstrate the technical superiority of the Teutonic country. The fuhrer used to use a Mercedes 770 K Grosser for his mass baths. However, when he went to the front or visited the new conquests during the war, he preferred the more versatile 540 G4.

Actually, the 540 G5 was not a typical off-roader, due to its enormous size (5.92 meters) and its high weight (3.5 tons). In addition, it did not have all-wheel drive, it only moved the four rear wheels.

However, its high ground clearance, the presence of a gearbox with reduction gear, rigid rear axles and off-road tires meant that it had good off-road capabilities. It was also equipped with a hydraulic braking system with servo-assistance on all three axles.

The high weight was largely due to its armor system. It consisted of a 30-millimeter-thick windshield, 20-millimeter-thick front and 30-millimeter-thick rear windows and an 8-millimeter-thick steel sheet at the rear.

The doors, the front area and the floor had 8-millimeter steel sheets and the tires were made bulletproof, although they transmitted too much vibration to the interior and were no longer used in Hitler's units.

To move a mass of such characteristics, Mercedes mounted a huge eight-cylinder engine in line with different levels of displacement and power, up to 5.4 liters and 115 hp in the most powerful variant. It could take the 540 G4 up to a top speed of about 70 km / h.

The German brand only built 57 units of the 540 G4, of which 30 were equipped with the most powerful 5.4-liter engine. The car was never marketed, as it was intended for the exclusive use of the head of state and military commanders.

There are currently 3 units. The unit used by Hitler is in the Sinsheim Auto & Technik Museum, restored after being used as a firefighting vehicle at the end of World War II. There is another G4 in Hollywood, where it has been used in some movies. And the third unit was a gift from Hitler to Franco, after the Civil War.

However, Franco used the car very little, because after the war it was not very advisable to be seen with a German vehicle and preferred to use others closer to the victors of the war, such as Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Cadillac or Buick. He only used it in some official hunts on Monte del Pardo. With the change of regime, the car became part of the fleet of the Royal House, being preserved with great care. In 2004, it was restored by Mercedes-Benz Classic in Stuttgart and the company itself paid all the expenses.

Source:

• La increíble historia del Mercedes 540 G4 de Hitler
  https://www.autobild.es/reportajes/increible-historia-mercedes-540-g4-hitler-991599