Maybach's Journey from Airship Engines to Luxury Cars

Kris

Hey everyone, welcome to the Golden State MB Car Club Podcast. , the podcast where we dive into the stories behind the passion for performance, precision, and the lifestyle that surrounds the Mercedes-Benz brand.

Kris

I'm the man the myth the legend KRIS,

Donald

and I'm Donald, CEO / President of GOLDEN STATE MB CAR CLUB,

Kris

Alright, let's kick this off by diving into the origins of one of my favorite luxury car brands, Maybach. I mean, this brand—it's been a symbol of engineering brilliance for over a century, and we're starting right at the beginning. Ready for this?

Donald

Absolutely. Back in 1909, Wilhelm Maybach and his son Karl established the company—initially called Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau GmbH—it was all about building engines for airships. And, fun fact, Wilhelm had previously been Gottlieb Daimler's right-hand man. So, yeah, innovation was in his blood.

Kris

Wait—you’re telling me Maybach wasn’t even about cars at first?

Donald

Not at all to start with! It was airships. Imagine the giant Zeppelin airships flying above Europe in the early 20th century—that was their playground. They were developing high-performance engines specifically for those. But here's the genius part... That cutting-edge engineering? It laid the groundwork for everything Maybach would become in the auto world.

Kris

Okay, so by 1912, they transitioned to Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH, right? That's when the shift began, moving toward more than just engines. And by 1919—boom! Their first car comes into play, the experimental W1. Tell me there’s a crazy story there.

Donald

Absolutely. It wasn’t just any car—it was experimental and borrowed a Mercedes chassis with their custom engine delivering 35 horsepower. Now, that’s peanuts compared to today’s supercars, but at the time? It was revolutionary. And it was like they planted the seeds for what was coming next, you know?

Kris

Yeah, yeah—and from what I hear, they didn’t waste any time going straight for luxury, right?

Donald

Oh, you’ve got that spot on. In fact, let’s jump ahead slightly to one of their crowning achievements—the Maybach Zeppelin DS 8 from the 1930s. That car was beyond luxury; it featured a V12 engine. But, let me share a personal story.

Kris

Oh, here we go!

Donald

So, a few years back, I was at this classic car showcase in Bakersfield—it’s where the legends roll out, right? There it was... a pristine Maybach Zeppelin. I kid you not, just standing next to it felt like stepping into a time machine. Everything was bespoke, crafted to perfection, and that V12—it’s an engineering masterpiece. Something like 200 horsepower, which was unheard of back then. That car wasn’t just opulent, it was mechanical art. And seeing one real-time? That cemented my love for Maybach’s legacy, no question.

Kris

Man, I can—like, I can picture that now. It’s that mix of luxury craftsmanship and power that kinda defines a Maybach, right? Even back then.

Donald

Exactly, and that legacy of craftsmanship... well, it’s a theme that runs throughout their history, starting as early as their very first step into automobiles.

Kris

And their engineering roots—yeah, they’re they’re just incredible.

Kris

Alright, Donald, speaking of legacy and craftsmanship, let’s get into the moment Maybach really made its mark—the 1921 Berlin Motor Show. The W3 was their opening act, right? I mean, can you imagine the statement they made rolling out something so groundbreaking?

Donald

Oh, yeah, the W3 was a game-changer. It was the first German car with a six-cylinder engine and a ready-to-go, four-wheel brake system. That was revolutionary back then. I mean, it was a pure statement of luxury and innovation right out of the gate.

Kris

Four-wheel brakes in the 1920s? That’s nuts. I bet driving one felt like being on the cutting edge of, well, everything.

Donald

Exactly. It's like they didn’t just want to make cars—they wanted to redefine what cars could be. And that W3 set the stage for what Maybach cars would stand for: comfort, innovation, and undeniable sophistication.

Kris

Alright, alright, but moving to the 1930s—we gotta talk about the Zeppelin. Because that car is just insane.

Donald

Oh, the Zeppelin DS 8—now that is a masterpiece. Talk about luxury. It had a V12 engine and more opulence than most houses back then. And the name? Zeppelin—it was meant to evoke the ultimate luxury of airship travel.

Kris

Okay, that's pretty slick. But wasn’t the 1930s a pretty tough time economically? How’d Maybach pull that off?

Donald

Great point. It was the Great Depression, and economic challenges were everywhere. But Maybach aimed their products at the absolute elite—this wasn’t about mass production. These were bespoke vehicles for those who could afford the very best. It’s like they thrived on exclusivity during tough times.

Kris

Man, that’s resilience right there. But hold up—I gotta tell you about my drive in a Maybach 57 AMG. It was just... unforgettable.

Donald

Oh, I’m all ears. Let’s hear it.

Kris

Picture this—early morning on the Pacific Coast Highway, the sun’s barely up, the ocean’s glinting, and I’ve got this Maybach 57 AMG under my hands. The V12 purrs—not roars, purrs—and you just glide. It’s like the car breathes sophistication. You’ve got massaging seats, everything wrapped in leather and wood, and the tech? Next level. But here’s the thing—when you push it, that thing moves. It’s, like, vintage elegance meets modern firepower. Honestly, it was one of those "I don’t ever wanna get out of this car" moments.

Donald

You know, that’s the magic of Maybach. They’ve always been about blending power with luxury in a way that feels effortless. It’s like they’re saying, why choose when you can have both?

Kris

You know, that ability to have both power and luxury—they didn’t just keep it going, they brought it back to life. Maybach's big comeback is what fascinates me most, especially when you consider the ups and downs they’ve navigated over the years.

Donald

Oh, for sure. After Daimler-Benz acquired Maybach in 1960, it was like the name kind of... disappeared for a while. They were still making engines and tech, but it wasn’t until 1997 that things got exciting again when Mercedes announced they were reviving it as a full-on luxury division.

Kris

So, they’re like, “We’re coming for you, Rolls-Royce and Bentley.” Bold move!

Donald

Absolutely. And they weren’t messing around. In 2002, they launched the Maybach 57 and 62. These cars were, well, breathtaking. Ultra-luxurious, with V12s under the hood—it was like they wanted to redefine what top-tier luxury could look like.

Kris

Yeah, those cars were... massive, right? And the names, 57 and 62—they’re about the lengths in decimeters, if I’m remembering that right?

Donald

You got it. The 57 was the “smaller” one—if we can even call it that—and the 62 was like a rolling palace. And beyond the sizes, they were designed to compete on every level: performance, luxury, and sheer presence. But it wasn’t just about being big, you know? It was about the craftsmanship. Every detail was thought out. It was personal.

Kris

Man, those were like—the arrival moment for Maybach. But, uh, it didn’t last forever, right?

Donald

Sadly, no. By 2012, they phased it out as a standalone brand. Sales didn’t hit the numbers they expected, you know? But here’s the thing—Mercedes wasn’t ready to let it go entirely. They brought it back in 2014 under a new concept: Mercedes-Maybach.

Kris

Right, as sort of like their ultra-luxury sub-brand. And let me tell you, they nailed it. The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class—pfft, that thing’s like riding in the future. And not just the future of cars, like the future of living.

Donald

I couldn’t agree more. And then came the Mercedes-Maybach GLS in 2019, which was this incredible statement that luxury doesn’t have to compromise on practicality. We’re talking about an SUV that’s as opulent as a private jet. It’s got the leather, the reclining rear seats with massage functions—

Kris

Whoa, wait—massaging seats in the back?

Donald

Oh, yeah. It’s like they’re saying, “Why let the person in the driver’s seat have all the fun?” And the engineering? Next level. You’ve got that twin-turbo V8, incredible ride quality, and tech that feels straight out of a sci-fi movie. But what really gets me is how they’ve blended this sense of heritage—with craftsmanship that goes back decades—with cutting-edge innovation.

Kris

Man, it’s like Maybach took a detour but found its lane again. And now it’s just cruising at the top.

Donald

Exactly. They’ve created something rare—a brand that respects its past but isn’t stuck in it. They’re always pushing forward, and that’s what makes them so special.

Kris

Alright, I think it’s safe to say Maybach’s story is one for the books. From airships to ultra-luxury cars—what a ride. And on that note, let’s wrap it up here. As always, it’s been a blast talking cars.

Donald

It really has. And to everyone out there, If you enjoyed this story, subscribe and leave us a review.

Kris

And if you've got a Mercedes-Benz story of your own-we want to hear it. Until next time.

Donald

drive with purpose, live the legacy, and enjoy the journey

Kris

This is Driven by Legacy.