1886 – Daimler Motorkutsche

A horse-drawn carriage, where the horses were replaced by an engine.

Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach soon realised that this was not the way to go.
In order to be successful, vehicle and engine have to be designed together as a unit
- a car.

1906 – An advanced 120 hp racing engine

The new 120 hp race engine with overhead intake, exhaust valves and dual ignition
was built in 1906.

Wilhelm Maybach improved and developed car engines for many years and invented
radical new features.

1908 – The Airship Engines

Together with his son Karl, Wilhelm Maybach began constructing airship engines
for Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin.

1919 – Maybach Type W1 Testwagen

(Testing Vehicle)

Wilhelm Maybach’s son Karl developed his first vehicle in 1919; he called it the W1,
which was the basis of the later W3. The W3 was introduced at the Berlin Motorshow
in 1921. The 6 cylinder engine was a big advance for its time; it was rated at 46 hp.
The chassis was a Daimler product.

1929 – Maybach Zeppelin DS8 Cabriolet

The Zeppelin DS8 was based upon the Maybach Type 12 dating back to 1929.
Converting this to the Zeppelin DS8 in 1933 it was also fitted with a more
powerful 200 hp engine. Even as late as the 1970s it was used and famous
personalities who rode in it were the Federal Republic’s President Heuss and
Chancellor Kiesinger.

• 8.0 litre V12 four stroke 200 hp spark ignition engine
• DSG 80 double overdrive transmission
• Top speed 93 mph
• Length 5.5 m

1930 – Maybach Type W6

The W6 was the next step up from the W5 Type. The chassis was that of the
Maybach Zeppelin and Karl Maybach fitted the highly successful and reliable
W5 engine into this chassis.

• 7.0 litre 6 cylinder 12v 120 hp engine
• Maybach 3 speed manual transmission with overdrive
• Top speed approx 80 mph
• Length 5.5 m

1932 – Maybach Zeppelin DS8 Cabriolet

The Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart acquired a Zeppelin DS8 in 1999 from an
enthusiast, who discovered it back in 1959. The museum brought it back to its former
glory by repainting it completely. It has some interesting accessories such as an
engine powered compressor to inflate tyres and an automatic jack at each wheel.

• 8.0 litre V12 four stroke spark ignition 200 hp engine
• DSG 80 double overdrive transmission
• Top speed approx 95 mph
• Length 5.5 m

1930 – Maybach Type DSH

A new engine was fitted to the Maybach Zeppelin chassis to produce this model.
Therefore, the DSH had the same comfort as the Zeppelin model.
• Approx 100 units produced from 1933 – 1937 incl Type W6
• Engine: 5.2 litre 16v 130 hp
• Maybach DSG 80 double overdrive, 5 forward/1 reverse
• Top speed approx 87 mph
• Maybach Zeppelin chassis used (5.5m long)

1935 – Maybach Type SW35

The Maybach Type SW35 was first shown at the 1935 Berlin Motor Show. The world’s first motorways were being built and the SW35 was designed for such modern times.
It was the latest in luxury and technology and what’s more – it was a good deal as far
as price was concerned.

(SW35 = Swing Axle, 3.5 litre)

• 3.5 litre 6 cylinders 140 hp engine
• Maybach DSG 40 double overdrive transmission, 4 forward gears/1 reverse
• Top speed approx 90 mph
• Length 4.9 m

1936 – Maybach SW38 Saloon

Seven passengers could be carried in this Pullman Saloon (5 seats/2folding seats).
This particular model was used as a winch car for glider launching and its owner
won first price at several classic car events after fully restoring it.

• 3.8 litre 6 cylinder four stroke spark ignition 140 hp engine
• Maybach DSO 35 double overdrive transmission
• Top Speed 87 mph
• Length 5 m

1939 – Maybach SW38 Roadster

Following the reunification of Germany a SW 38 roadster was returned there and
restored to bring it back to its former splendour. The car was originally taken to the
former Soviet Union in 1945.

• 3.8 litre 6 cylinder four stroke spark ignition 140 hp engine
• Maybach DSG 35 double overdrive transmission
• Top speed 93 mph
• Length 5 m

1940 – Maybach Type SW42 Cabriolet

There was nothing new about this model except for the smart soft top
which meant pleasurable open top driving. The roof mechanism allowed
it to be retracted totally or partly from each section. The similarities with
the Landaulets to be designed much later are very much there.

Please also visit:

PART I - Maybach History

PART III - Maybach Revival