After leaving Mercedes in 1907, Wilhelm Maybach collaborated with Graf Zeppelin to build aeroengines particularly for airships and his Friedrichshafen factory also made marine engines and motorcycle power units, before introducing a sv 5738cc six-cylinder car (the engine was also sold to Spyker in Holland).

First shown in 1921, the Maybach originally had a two-speed pedal-controlled gearbox; Spohn, Glaser, Armhruster, Erdmann & Rossi and Voll-Ruhrbeck were among the coachbuilders who clothed this high-quality chassis with exclusive bodywork. An ohv 6995cc engine appeared in the W5 of 1926, available with a schnellgang auxiliary two-speed gearbox. A 6922cc V-12 made its debut in 1929, and was developed into the Zeppelin model of 1930. From 1931, a 7977cc V-12 was also available: some Zeppelins had the W5 six-cylinder; all had seven-speed gearboxes.

The ohc SW series included the 3790cc SW38, current from 1934 to 1940; there were also 3.5 litre and 4.2 litre SW models. Always an expensive car, the Maybach could cost over DM 40,000 in V-12 Zeppelin form with custom coachwork.

(Vintage european Automobiles)