The Maybach marque has a remarkably distinguished heritage.The company was originally founded in 1909 by Wilhelm Maybach with his son Karl Maybach acting as director and was known as "Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau GmbH" based in Bissingen on the Enz. In 1912 the company moved to Friedrichshafen and changed its name to Maybach Motorenbau GmbH Friedrichshafen. Today, the marque Maybach Manufaktur is owned by Daimler AG and is based in Stuttgart.
More than 100 years ago, Wilhelm Maybach built a car that pointed the way towards the modern era. His Opus No.1 went down in history as the first Mercedes, and he is still remembered as the “king of the design engineers”. His son, Karl Maybach, followed his father’s directions, creating further masterpieces between the 1920’s through to the 1940’s.
Having set many standards in terms of size, technology and performance by the end of the twenties, Maybach followed this up in the thirties with a surprise move: the introduction of a small model, known by the abbreviation SW, which stood for swing axle.
These cars were notable for their six-cylinder in-line engines with 3.5, 3.8 or 4.2-litre displacement and were all lovingly handcrafted.
Unique vehicles built in accordance with the wishes of their owner.
“To create only the best from the best, a vehicle that is the ultimate in wish fulfilment, with a distinctive character of the finest elegance and power” – this is how a Maybach flyer from 1930 announced the company’s aim, and it still applies at Maybach in its entirety to this day.
The first-born child of Wilhelm Maybach, Karl Maybach, followed in his father’s footsteps, realizing amazing cars that we still admire today.
The first steps
Der erstgeborene Sohn von Wilhelm Maybach, Karl Maybach (geboren am 6. Juli 1879 in Deutz), trat rasch in die Fußstapfen seines Vaters, wurde im Alter von 17 Jahren Maschinenbau-Ingenieur und begann nach einer kurzen Zeit bei Loewe & Co. in Berlin als Auszubildender bei der „Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft“ in Cannstatt.
After an initial period at Loewe & Co. in Berlin, Karl Maybach started working as a trainee at “Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft” in Cannstatt. During this period of training - and thanks to his father’s advice (testified by extensive correspondence) - Karl Maybach quickly learned all the secrets concerning the building of great engines.
In 1909, Karl Maybach became technical manager at “Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau GmbH”.
After a few years, the talented engineer took over the running of the company, renaming it “Maybach Motorenbau GmbH”, and basing it in Friedrichshafen.
The quest for luxury
Auch während der beschwerlichen Zeit des Ersten Weltkriegs zeigte Karl Maybach seine immensen Fähigkeiten.
Er konstruierte und baute Motoren für Luftschiffe und Flugzeuge.
Back in peace time, the company was able to concentrate its efforts on automotive production and the marque Maybach acquired a reputation for creating sensationally luxurious automobiles.
In 1923, Karl Maybach’s fame was celebrated with the presentation of an honorary degree by the University of Stuttgart.
Maybach's prestige
Dank einer sehr erfolgreichen Reihe von Luxusfahrzeugen wuchs das Prestige von Maybach mehr und mehr.
The Maybach Type 12 was equipped with the first 7 litre V12 engine delivering 150 hp. A stunning car, still regarded as a landmark in the history of automobile manufacturing, which Karl Maybach dedicated to his father, Wilhelm Maybach, who died later that year.
From 1947 to 1951, Karl Maybach lived with his family in Vernon, France. During this period he designed a 1.000 hp engine for the French government. In 1952 he left the management of “Maybach Motorenbau GmbH” and retired to his home in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Two years later, in 1954, he was awarded the Order of Merit by the Federal Republic of Germany.
Karl Maybach died in Friedrichshafen on 6th February 1960.
Maybach Motorenbau
Maybach is synonymous with technical perfection and excellence in luxury.
The story of the Maybach marque can be traced right back to the origins of the automobile itself. Wilhelm Maybach and Gottlieb Daimler were in fact the brilliant minds behind the first motorcycle -
the “Reitwagen” of 1885 - and behind the first four-wheel car in the world, the Daimler Motorkutsche of 1886.Wilhelm Maybach’s superior engines were soon used to power boats, airships and, eventually, the first Mercedes. The era of mobility, on water, on land, and in the air was well and truly under way.
While Wilhelm Maybach was a pioneer of the automotive industry –recognized internationally for his development of technically advanced engines - his talented son Karl Maybach concentrated his efforts on satisfying the rising demand for luxury vehicles, realizing exclusive saloons that ensured
the ultimate levels in comfort, personalization and performance too.
After gaining international experience as an engineer, Karl Maybach was nominated technical director of the business at the Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau GmbH in 1909. This company had been newly-founded by Wilhelm Maybach and Count Zeppelin with the aim of principally producing
airship engines.
In 1912, the company was moved to Friedrichshafen and its name was changed to Motorenbau GmbH Friedrichshafen. Maybach’s father and son were both shareholders holding 20 per cent each. Subsequently, in May 1918, the company was restructured into Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH due to Karl Maybach’s decision to dedicate his efforts on the production of automotive engines firstly and then, eventually, on complete automobiles.
Towards the end of the early part of the 1900s he designed the “W2”, a lowrevving 5,7 litre six-cylinder engine which developed 70 hp. There were grounds for optimism when a famous Dutch vehicle factory of the time, Trompenburg, placed a large order for Karl Maybach’s “W2” engine.
Unfortunately, shortly afterwards, Trompenburg went into bankruptcy which forced Karl Maybach to make the decision that if he wanted to install his engines in motor vehicles he had better build those vehicles himself.
His “W3” - a large tourer fitted with a further refined “W2” engine - was out in time for the Berlin Motor Show of 1921. This luxury vehicle boasted a new technical concept: unusual dimensions and an advertising slogan which stressed one of the car’s main features; “Take to the hills - without
changing gear”.
Maybach-Manufaktur became an increasingly attractive partner for coachwork specialists. The company stepped up its collaboration with Hermann Spohn of Ravensburg who built both customised and standard sophisticated bodies. During the following years, Karl Maybach provided several new engines and vehicles; majestic, comfortable automobiles, as personalised as the taste and the wallet of the customer would allow.
The new decade was enlighted by a shining star, the legendary “Maybach Zeppelin”.
This vehicle was a leap into a new dimension and set new standards in terms of size, engineering, performance and ride comfort; even by today’s standards, the “Maybach Zeppelin” is a dream car. The second version released the “Maybach Zeppelin DS 8”, produced from 1930 – 1939,
had an 8-litre V12 engine with an output of 200 hp; a semi-automatic 5- speed pre-selector transmission; vacuum-assisted four-wheel brake: unrivalled characteristics that made this awesome car the epitome of the luxury tourer.
True to the family creed of creating only the very best from the very best, the talented Karl Maybach kept on developing further luxury models, which were appreciated by the elite of the time, right up to the beginning of WWII after which automobile production was not resumed.
Classic Models
A selection of luxurious Maybach's vehicles from the early years of the past century.
Maybach Typ “W 6”
Dieses Modell, das von 1930 bis 1933 produziert wurde, war das Ergebnis der Weiterentwicklung des Maybach Typ „W5“. Karl Maybach beschloss, den bewährten „W5“ Motor in das Chassis des Maybach Zeppelin zu bauen.
Maybach Typ “W 6”
Engine: inline 6 cylinders, 2 valves per cylinder
Displacement: 6.995 cc
Output: 120 hp (89,5 kW) at 2.800 rpm
Transmission: Maybach manual three-speed gearbox with overdrive
Top speed: 80.7 mph (130 km/h)
Wheelbase: 3.73 metres
Length: 5.5 metres
Dieses Modell verfügte über einen neuen Motor (Doppel-Sechs-Halbe) mit sechs Zylindern, 5,2 l Hubraum und 130 PS, der in das Maybach Zeppelin Chassis gebaut war. Der Maybach DSH war zu einem attraktiven Preis erhältlich und bot denselben Standard und Komfort wie der Maybach Zeppelin, mit ansprechender Leistung. Die Produktion dieses Modells endete 1937.
Engine: 6 cylinders - 5.2 L
Displacement: 5.184 cc
Output: 130 hp (97 kW) at 3.200 rpm
Transmission: Maybach DSG 80 double overdrive, 4 forward gears, one reverse
Top speed: 87 mph (140 km/h)
Wheelbase: 3.73 metres
Length: 5.5 metres
Maybach Type SW 35
Im Frühjahr 1935 feierte der Maybach SW 35 (für „Schwingachsenwagen“, 3,5 l) Premiere auf der Automobilausstellung in Berlin. Dieser „kleine“ Maybach mit Sechszylindermotor, oben liegender Nockenwelle und einer Leistung von 140 PS hat den Markt überrascht. Es war ein für eine neue Ära speziell konstruiertes Fahrzeug. Eine Ära, in der weltweit die ersten Autobahnen gebaut wurden und in der die Chassis-Entwicklung rasch voranschritt. Der Maybach SW 35 war ein supermodernes Luxusfahrzeug, das Dank seines Motors, seiner Konstruktion und seiner Technik seinen Preis durchaus wert war.
Maybach Type SW 35
Engine: 6 cylinders engine - 3.5 litres
Displacement: 3.435 cc
Output: 140 hp (104 kW) at 4.500 rpm
Transmission: Maybach DSG 40 double overdrive, 4 forward gears, one reverse
Top speed: 93 mph (150 km/h)
Wheelbase: 3.6 metres
Length: 4.9 metres
Dieses Cabriolet wurde ursprünglich als Maybach Typ 12 Anfang 1929 geliefert. Die Seitenteile konnten komplett abgesenkt werden, um es als Paradewagen zu nutzen. Bereits 1933 wurde es in einen Maybach Zeppelin DS 8 mit einem 200 PS (147 kW) Motor umgebaut. Es wurde noch in den 1970er Jahren als Luxustaxi eingesetzt und zählte Bundespräsident Heuss und Bundeskanzler Kiesinger zu seinen bekanntesten Fahrgästen.
This Maybach Zeppelin DS 8 is one of the best-known surviving Maybach models.
Engine: Four-stroke spark-ignition engine, 12 cylinders, 60° V-layout
Displacement: 7.922 cc
Output: 200hp (147kW) at 3.200rpm
Transmission: DSG 80 double overdrive transmission
Top speed: 93mph (150km/h)
Wheelbase: 3.35 metres
Length: 5.50 metres
The Maybach Zeppelin DS 8 cabriolet - 1932
Nach seiner Tätigkeit als Hotel-Fahrzeug wurde dieses Cabriolet nicht mehr benutzt und für Jahre vergessen, bis es ein Maybach-Enthusiast 1959 entdeckte und mit der Restaurierung begann. 1999 wurde es vom Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart erworben und komplett neu lackiert. Dieses Modell verfügt über einige ungewöhnliche Sonderausstattungen wie automatische Wagenheber an jedem Rad und einen vom Motor angetriebenen Kompressor zum Reifenfüllen.
The Maybach Zeppelin DS 8 cabriolet - 1932
Engine: Four-stroke spark-ignition engine, 12 cylinders, 60° V-layout
Displacement: 7.922 cc
Output: 200hp (147kW) at 3.200rpm
Transmission: DSG 80 double overdrive transmission
Top speed: 87-106mph (140-170km/h), depending on body
Wheelbase: 3.35 metres
Length: 5.50 metres
Diese 1936 gelieferte Pullman-Limousine bot Platz für sieben Personen auf fünf Sitzen und zwei Klappsitzen. In den 1950er Jahren wurde dieser Maybach als Seilwinden-Fahrzeug für den Start von Segelflugzeugen eingesetzt. 1969 wurde er von seinem gegenwärtigen Besitzer vollständig restauriert und erreichte den ersten Platz bei zahlreichen Classic Car Veranstaltungen.
Engine: Four-stroke spark-ignition engine, 6 cylinders
Displacement: 3.815 cc
Output: 140 hp (103 kW) at 4.000 rpm
Transmission: Maybach DSG 35 double overdrive transmission
Top speed: 87 mph (140 km/h)
Wheelbase: 3.38 metres
Length: 5 metres
The Maybach SW 38 roadster - 1939
Dieser rote Maybach Roadster kam 1945 in die ehemalige Sowjetunion. Autoliebhaber aus Estland brachten ihn mit bescheidenen Mitteln wieder zum Laufen. Ende der 1970er Jahre wurde der SW38 in der Nähe von Tallinn beschädigt. Nach der Wiedervereinigung barg ein Maybach Liebhaber das Fahrzeug und brachte es nach Deutschland zurück. Die Restaurierung dauerte viele Jahre, ließ das Fahrzeug aber in alter Pracht erstrahlen.
The Maybach SW 38 roadster - 1939
Engine: Four-stroke spark-ignition engine, 6 cylinders
Displacement: 3.815 cc
Output: 140 hp (103 kW) at 4.000 rpm
Transmission: Maybach DSG 35 double overdrive transmission
Top speed: 93 mph (150 km/h)
Wheelbase: 3.38 metres
Length: 5 metres
Dieses exklusive Cabriolet wurde von einem 4,2 l 6-Zylinder-Benzinmotor mit 140 PS angetrieben und bot entsprechend außergewöhnliche Fahrleistungen. Das Verdeck konnte entweder vollständig oder teilweise für jede Sitzreihe geöffnet werden, wodurch das Fahrzeug den späteren Maybach Landaulet Modellen ähnelte, die über dieselbe Dachkonstruktion verfügten.
Engine: 6 cylinders engine - 4.2 litres
Displacement: 4.197 cc
Output: 140 hp (104 kW) at 4.000 rpm
Transmission: Maybach DSG 40 double overdrive, 4 forward gears, one reverse
Top speed: 99 mph (160 km/h)
Wheelbase: 3.6 metres
Length: 5.1 metres
