2003:CA:A702:800:80E3:ED68:7067:2244: /* Revival */

2025-02-13T22:38:21Z

Revival

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{{Infobox automobile
|name = Maybach Zeppelin
|image = 1932 Maybach DS8 Zeppelin V12 200hp 8000cc 160kmh Bild 1.JPG
|manufacturer = [[Maybach]]
|production = 1928–1938
|predecessor =
|processor =
|class = [[Full-size car|Full-size]] [[luxury car]] ([[F-segment|F]])
|body_style = 4-door [[convertible (car)|cabriolet]]<br>2-door [[convertible (car)|cabriolet]]<br>4-door [[sedan (automobile)|saloon]]
|transmission = Variorex eight-speed Manual ( at least the DS8 maybe the DS7)
It is likely that other transmissions were used as well
|assembly = {{flagicon|Nazi Germany}} [[Stuttgart]], [[Nazi Germany]]
|layout = [[FR layout]]
|wheelbase = {{convert|147|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
|platform =
}}
The '''Maybach Zeppelin''' was the [[Maybach]] company's ''Repräsentationswagen''{{efn-lr|''Repräsentationswagen'', "a vehicle that will make the biggest possible impact at the embassy, the opera or the country club."<ref name="Ludvigsen, Repräsentationswagen" >{{harvnb|Ludvigsen, V12 Engine|p=158}}</ref>}} model from 1928 to 1938. 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 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). This weight was so great that German drivers required an additional goods vehicle licence for vehicles over 2½ tons.<ref name="Ludvigsen, Maybach Zeppelin" >{{Cite book
|title=The V12 Engine
|chapter=Chapter 7: Teutonic Twelves
|last=Ludvigsen |first=Karl
|authorlink=Karl Ludvigsen
|publisher=Haynes Publishing
|location=Sparkford, Yeovil
|year=2005
|isbn=1-84425-004-0
|ref={{harvid|Ludvigsen, V12 Engine}}
|pages=158–163
}}</ref> Along with the [[Avions Voisin|Voisin]], and behind the [[Daimler Double-Six sleeve-valve V12|Daimler Double Six]], this was Europe's joint second luxury V12 car in production.

==DS7==
The DS7 (''Doppel Sechs 7'') version featured a 7.0 L (6,971 cc) [[V12 engine]] that produced {{cvt|150|hp|kW|disp=flip}} at 2,800 rpm.<ref name="Ludvigsen, DS7" >{{harvnb|Ludvigsen, V12 Engine|pp=159–160}}</ref> It was available from 1929 to 1930.{{citation needed|date=January 2012}} Work began in 1928 on a model simply called the "Maybach 12" which went on sale in 1929. In 1930 it was re-branded as the DS7 and the "Zeppelin" badge appeared on a bar between the headlamps; although adopted universally as the "Maybach Zeppelin", this was never the car's official model.

[[Karl Maybach]]'s engine was a [[long-stroke engine|long-stroke]] design, with dimensions of 86×100 mm.<ref name="Ludvigsen, DS7" /> The crankshaft had eight main bearings, one being a smaller outrigger at the rear, supporting the camshaft drive gears. In a novel feature for reduced noise, these were made of [[Novotext]], a resin-impregnated fibre composite. A further novel feature was the use of enlarged [[4-Bolt Mains|four-bolt main bearing caps]] on three of the bearings.

==DS8==
Supplementing the DS7 from 1930 was the DS8<ref name="Ludvigsen, DS8" >{{harvnb|Ludvigsen, V12 Engine|pp=160-160}}</ref> (''Doppelganger''). It sported an 8.0 L (7978 cc, 487 cubic inches) V12 which made {{cvt|200|bhp|kW PS|0|disp=flip}} at a fairly low 3200 rpm, putting the DS8 among the most powerful production cars in the world at the time. Depending on the weight of the [[coachwork]], a top speed of {{cvt|106|mi/h|km/h|0|disp=flip}} was possible.<ref >{{Cite web
|title=Maybach Zeppelin DS 8
|website= Serious Wheels
|url=http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-Maybach-Zeppelin-DS8.htm
}}</ref>

In August 2012, a 1938 DS8 Roadster sold for €1.3 million at auction, fitted with a rare Variorex eight-speed gearbox (both the first 8-speed and first 8-speed manual gearbox) with a vacuum shift and is thought to be one of only 100 built.<ref >{{cite magazine
|title=Bidding frenzy erupts as Maybach decimates estimate
|url=http://www.classicandsportscar.com/news/classic-car-auctions/bidding-frenzy-erupts-as-maybach-decimates-estimate
|magazine=[[Classic and Sports Car]]
|accessdate=14 August 2012|date=13 August 2012
}}</ref>

==Revival==
When [[Maybach]] was revived as a brand by [[DaimlerChrysler]], old [[Maybach]], 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.<ref >{{Cite web
|title=Capital Ship – Driving the Maybach DS8 Zeppelin
|url=http://www.europeancarweb.com/features/0304ec_maybach_ds8_zeppelin/index.html
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924022728/http://www.europeancarweb.com/features/0304ec_maybach_ds8_zeppelin/index.html
|archive-date=September 24, 2008
}}</ref> This resurrecting of the classic name resulted in increased visibility and popularity of well-restored or preserved Maybachs.<ref >{{Cite web
|title=Maybach Models – DS 8 Zeppelin
|website=ConceptCarz
|accessdate=2020-02-20
|url=http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9099/Maybach-Zeppelin-DS-8.aspx
}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Maybach DS 8 at Musée Mulhouse, B 11b.jpg
File:Maybach Zeppelin red vr.jpg
File:Maybach z01.jpg
File:MaybachZeppelinDS8.JPG
</gallery>

==References==
{{commons category|Maybach Zeppelin}}

{{Notelist-lr}}
{{Reflist|group=note|liststyle=lower-roman}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Maybach}}

[[Category:Maybach vehicles|Zeppelin]]
[[Category:Full-size vehicles]]
[[Category:Luxury vehicles]]
[[Category:Flagship vehicles]]
[[Category:Sedans]]
[[Category:Convertibles]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1928]]
[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]

Maybach Zeppelin - Revision history

2003:CA:A702:800:80E3:ED68:7067:2244: /* Revival */