1993 Mercedes-Benz 500GE Ex-King Constantine of Greece

The Mercedes-Benz 'G' class, or G-Wagon as it is more commonly known, is a uniquely styled cross-country vehicle famed for its Teutonic functionality and purposeful looks. Developed initially as a military vehicle, it has gone on to become one of the longest-running vehicles in Daimler-Benz's history, with a production span of thirty-two years. It was following a suggestion by the Shah of Iran, then a major Mercedes-Benz shareholder, that the decision was made to offer it as a civilian vehicle, and in 1979, it duly appeared and eventually offered air-conditioning, automatic transmission, a cable winch and protective headlamp grilles. Further improvements were offered in later years including more comfortable front seats, wider tyres and arches, central locking and differential locks.

In 1993, with the aim of securing more of the luxury 4x4 market dominated by the Range Rover, Mercedes decided to invite five hundred of the 'Global Elite' to inspect their new 500 GE, and we imagine the 5-litre V8 petrol engine transported all those industrialists, celebrities and royalty in appropriate style. Offered with a sumptuous black leather interior and a dashboard clad in burr walnut veneer, the somewhat 'military' looks were softened slightly by the Amethyst Blue coachwork, three hundred and fifty of which were produced in this colour, whilst a hundred and fifty were produced in Dark Grey.

Having been purchased new in 1993 by His Majesty King Constantine II of Greece for use at the family's ski chalet in Switzerland, he was reluctant to part with it, and with his close ties to the UK and being a cousin of both the Queen and Prince Phillip, the decision was taken to import it into the UK in 2000, it was subsequently registered at the King's Grosvenor Square address. Later purchased by a Mr. Ratkoceri in 2008, the car was then bought by our vendor in 2009.

Regularly serviced and maintained and showing some 173,000 kilometres, it has been looked after by Autocentre South, London since 2010. The proprietor is a classic Mercedes enthusiast and owns a number of M117 engined cars himself. Offered to auction with an MOT until November 2016, copies of the V5s showing His Majesty's name and address, an RAC membership card in the King's name, tool kit, jack, handbooks, first aid kit and fire extinguisher. It is interesting to note that as King Constantine is also a Prince of Denmark by birth, this car has a Royal Pedigree in Denmark and that, combined with the fact that it was produced in a limited run, means it will be virtually impossible to find another one.