The original
W460/
W461 G-Wagen went onsale for the 1979 model year. It was offered in two wheelbases and three body styles: A 2-door short-wheelbase
convertible, a 2-door short-wheelbase
wagon, and a long-wheelbase 4-door wagon.
This version of the G-Wagen was popular with military and offroad enthusiasts, with more than 50,000 built in the first decade. The vehicle was not offered in the United States officially, but with the demise of the "casual importation"
grey-market in the mid-1980s, importers were successful in selling some G-Wagens (mostly W463s) that had been modified to meet
US DOT specifications for around $135,000.
W461 Production 1991-2001
Body style(s) 2-door
convertible
2-door
SUV
4-door
SUV Platform Mercedes-Benz W461 The main technical difference between the W460/461 and W463 model, apart from the choice of engines and gearboxes, is the layout of the drive train. Whilst the W463 offers full-time 4WD, the W460/461 is basically rear wheel drive with manually selectable 4WD. This means that these models do not have a centre differential, thus no centre diff-lock. Only front and rear locking differentials are needed to obtain a fully locked drive train. The front lockers were not fitted as standard, but as a factory-fitted option. The difflocks are manually operated using hydraulic levers next to the transfer case selector handle. Other differences between W460/461 and W463 models are, counting out things like a slightly stiffer suspension, mainly cosmetic. The W460/461 can be easily recognized by its grille and headlight covers which differ slightly from the W463 are always black (on a factory standard car that is), even if the rest of the bodywork is not. From behind, the biggest differences are the fuel cap, which is not covered on the W460/461, and the arrangement of the taillights. The last and most notable difference can be found inside the car. The W463 is very luxurious (wood/leather/electrics etc.) but the simpler model is quite basic, with a dash and trim that closely resembles the original vehicles from the late 70's. Apart from the choice of rugged materials, some luxuries like air conditioning (rare),
automatic transmission, power steering, central locking and electric windows were available for the W460/461.