Mercedes-Benz Wagen Hitched to a Star

At Mercedes-Benz of Shrewsbury we are confident that keeping up with routine Mercedes-Benz service is the key to keeping your car going for many, many miles. Just how many? Try 500,000.

This is the case for a man named Gunther Holtrof who started traveling the globe in 1989, in his 1988 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Wagen. Originally accompanied by his wife Christine, and with the intention of an 18-month trip to Africa, in mind, Gunther and his affectionately named G-Class Wagen, Otto, have been on the same road-trip for 23-years.

Otto the trusty G-Class Wagen is powered by a 3.0-liter diesel engine which produced 85-horsepower when it was new. Although, not necessarily the fastest transporter, what Otto lacks in speed it certainly makes up for in strength by lugging a total of 7,275 pounds of necessary equipment and amenities for its loyal owner. Considering all its been through, it's incredible the G-Class Wagen is still racking up the miles.

To date, Gunther has taken his classic Mercedes-Benz the equivalent of 20-times around the equator. Unfortunately, his wife Christine is no-longer co-piloting with him as she sadly passed away in 2010. However, per her request, Gunther and Otto continue their world-wide journey to this day. If you can believe it, the duo visited their 200th country in June of this year! Each time 100,000-kilometers (62,137 miles) passes, Gunther takes Otto back to a Mercedes-Benz dealer in Europe to open its instrument panel and install a new digit readout to better keep track of their miles.

For more information about the G-Class Wagen's contemporary, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV or other available new Mercedes or gently used car models, visit Mercedes-Benz of Shrewsbury at 760 Boston Turnpike Road in Shrewsbury, MA.