<P> Development started in 1972 , focusing on off - road abilities and maximum safety and comfort ; with a cooperative agreement between Daimler - Benz and Steyr - Daimler - Puch in Graz , Austria . Mercedes - Benz engineers in Stuttgart were in charge of design and testing , while the team in Graz developed the production plans . The first wooden model was presented to Daimler - Benz management in 1973 , with the first drivable prototype beginning various testing including German coalfields , the Sahara Desert , and the Arctic Circle in 1974 . Construction commenced on a new production facility in Graz , where the new cross-country vehicle would be assembled nearly entirely by hand in 1975 , with production of the `` G Model '' beginning in Graz in 1979 . In 1980 , the Vatican took delivery of a specially made G - Wagen outfitted with a clear thermoplastic top which served as the Popemobile . The `` Papa G '' later took up permanent residence at the Mercedes - Benz Museum in Stuttgart , Germany . </P>
<P> Development started in 1972 , focusing on off - road abilities and maximum safety and comfort ; with a cooperative agreement between Daimler - Benz and Steyr - Daimler - Puch in Graz , Austria . Mercedes - Benz engineers in Stuttgart were in charge of design and testing , while the team in Graz developed the production plans . The first wooden model was presented to Daimler - Benz management in 1973 , with the first drivable prototype beginning various testing including German coalfields , the Sahara Desert , and the Arctic Circle in 1974 . Construction commenced on a new production facility in Graz , where the new cross-country vehicle would be assembled nearly entirely by hand in 1975 , with production of the `` G Model '' beginning in Graz in 1979 . In 1980 , the Vatican took delivery of a specially made G - Wagen outfitted with a clear thermoplastic top which served as the Popemobile . The `` Papa G '' later took up permanent residence at the Mercedes - Benz Museum in Stuttgart , Germany . </P>
when did the first g wagon come out
when did the first g wagon come out
1979
1979