1926 MAYBACH Typ W5 27/120 HP (Open Body) 7.0

Vehicle Overview

By 1926, Maybach was already a recognized premium car manufacturer, and the W5 was the ultimate luxurious product for the German brand.

While its main competitor, Mercedes-Benz, offered plenty of vehicles in various shapes and sizes, Maybach tried to keep up with it and offered a convertible version for the W5. Unfortunately for the carmaker, it didn’t have the same production capacity as its Stuttgart-based competitor and, moreover, couldn’t sell at lower prices. In addition, the three-pointed-star brand still had the advantage of a better chassis.

The W5 featured a short overhang protected by a narrow bumper mounted directly on the chassis in front of the leaf springs. For the cabin, the carmaker installed a flat, vertical windshield with a pair of wipers mounted at the top. For better wind protection, Maybach added a set of windows at the sides for the front passengers. The rear occupants, on the other hand, were exposed to elements when the top was down. Maybach also thought about it and created side window panels that were mounted on the rear doors, although that solution worked only when the top was up.

Inside, there was plenty of room in the back, thanks to the bench mounted above the rear axle. The driver benefited from a wooden dashboard and center-mounted dials encircled in chromed trims. As usual, at this level, the upholstery was made from genuine leather and offered a high level of comfort. The retractable canvas top could have been folded down behind the rear seats.

The engine was an inline-six powerplant with two camshafts. Even though it provided 50 more ponies than the W3, due to the increased mass of the vehicle, it was just slightly faster than the W3 model, and one of the reasons was the two-speed transmission.