1932 Maybach Zeppelin DS8 Convertible Cabriolet
The Maybach Zeppelin was the Maybach company’s Repräsentationswagen model from 1929 to 1939. Named for the company’s famous production of Zeppelin engines prior to and during World War I, it was an enormous luxury vehicle which weighed approximately 3000 kg (6600 lb). This weight was so great that German drivers required an additional goods vehicle licence for vehicles over 2½ tons. Along with the Voisin, and behind the Daimler Double Six, this was Europe’s joint second luxury V12 car in production.
The dirigibles of Count von Zeppelin first appeared in service between Lake Constance and Berlin in 1910. Germany carried on the tradition of the airship between the wars, and the giant Graf Zeppelin of 1928 had an outstanding career. The great German airship was powered by 12-cylinder Maybach engines and made over 600 trouble-free flights over the course of nine years.
Under the hood, there was a huge engine 7.0l V12 which only produced 150 horsepower. While this may not seem like much these days, at the time, these were very honorable values. He was, moreover, very refined and gratified his passengers withsilence befitting a car of this rank. Besides this engine, the Maybach Zeppelin also had an amazing eight-speed semi-automatic transmission.
Inside, Maybach installed a luxurious interior with leather upholstery, wood veneers, and chromed metallic parts for the switches and gauges. The carmaker produced a central locking system in an era where even the cranked windows were a luxury feature. Since Maybach offered the car for high-ranking officials, kings, and country rulers, it made it with a short or a long wheelbase.
When Maybach was revived as a brand by DaimlerChrysler, old Maybachs, particularly the opulent 8-litre Zeppelin, saw new popularity as part of a marketing effort which sought to link the current brand with the heritage of the original car company. This resurrecting of the classic name resulted in increased visibility and popularity of well-restored or preserved Maybachs.
