The Mercedes Benz G4 (W31) 1934 - 1939 was originally designed as an 'off-road' vehicle - presumably the designers felt that the traction provided by its 6 wheels would be sufficient. However, cross-country performance was somewhat poor and it was rarely (if ever) used in this role. The vehicle was produced (somewhat slowly!) between 1934 and 1939. Slowly, in the sense that only 57 examples were actually built. Its main role in the 3rd Reich was as transport for (very) senior members of the regime. A secondary function of the vehicle was in a hard-topped 'van' version which was used as a communications vehicle by Deutsche Post.