GUILT TRIP

Driving the world's most recognisable symbol of unrestrained excess

- By Ruman Devmane Photographs Kaizad Adil Darukhanawala

The G 63 isn't a car that believes in giving you a choice. To me, it's set beyond the conventional point of having a problem with something like it. Think of it as what happens after you've met a hero you were strongly advised against. Its flaws are raw and out in the open — and so is its nonchalance — and it leaves it up to you to figure out the terms of your coexistence. It is, perhaps, the most irreverent car in all of history.

It wasn't always meant to be this way, you know? Indeed, the G has its roots firmly anchored in the early '70s, having emerged from a less sinister and rather idealistic vision. It's rumoured that the G-Wagen was commissioned by Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah Of Iran, who wished for Mercedes-Benz to lend its typical brilliance to a military grade off-road vehicle. It was at his alleged insistence that 20,000 units of the G-Wagen were to be produced. The Shah had his way with seeing his insistences being delivered on, just as he had a few years ago, when he — to rather unpleasant effect — sent a dog as a gift to the king of Jordan. Mercedes-Benz set about making this all-new car at an all-new factory in Graz, Austria, but, in 1979, when the G-Wagen was finally produced, the 2500-year old monarchy of Iran was overthrown.

Mercedes, then, had to go looking for new buyers for it, who weren't hard to come by at all. Soon, military and police outfits from around the world, Argentina and Germany being among the earliest, scooped it up. Today, 48 countries have the G-Wagen reporting for duty, its roles varying from combat to personnel transportation and even as a ceremonial vehicle.