G-Class

Segment
SUV

We've seen all kinds of weird and wonderful creations from custom tuning houses and enthusiasts across the world. Some of our favorites include 6x6 variants of the Jeep Wrangler and Mercedes G63 AMG, and we've even been graced by supercars that have been turned into dirt munching rally cars, but sometimes you've just got to ask yourself why? Why would someone build something so atrocious? We are of course talking about the Mercedes-Benz G-Class Intruder Concept by Heuliez.

The Heuliez firm started out in 1920 as a coachbuilding business and eventually moved on to designing exotic cars, and is one of the last remaining coachbuilders today. That still doesn't excuse the company from designing something as ugly as this.

The Intruder, a once-off creation, was designed and built for the 1996 Paris Motor Show. Heuliez wanted to create an off-road convertible, and it found the perfect platform in a Mercedes Benz G320. This gave the intruder a 3.2-liter six-cylinder powerplant, four-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive, and enough ground clearance to get most jobs done. The car even retained the differential locks.

From there on out it was all downhill: the company decided to incorporate the rather complicated electric-folding roof system as found on the Mercedes-Benz SLK of the time, a car which had just made its debut months before. With this tech, the Intruder could change from an off-roading coupe to an off-roading roadster in just 30 seconds.

This prototype model has undergone a big restoration and cosmetic refinishing at an eye-watering cost of 280,000 Euros. The engine saw a complete overhaul, and the metal folding roof was completely redone. As the sole model ever produced, the car has been featured with three liveries since its unveiling, starting with Mercedes Silver, then white and red, and then back to the original silver. Some years later, five coupe versions of the car were produced by OPAC, and was named the Contender. For the worst looking thing ever.

The car you see in front of you is going up for sale, and this must be one of the strangest creations you could buy right now. The Mercedes G-Wagen Intruder is offered with a fresh service, just over 1,000 miles on the odometer, and interested parties may inquire about price over at DK Engineering.