1937 Maybach 38 Stromlinien Cabriolet 3.8

Vehicle Overview

Maybach was not in its best financial situation after the Great Depression, and it tried to attract deep-pocket customers with the SW 35/38 lineup and custom-made bodyworks made by Spohn.

Like many other automakers from that era, Maybach offered its vehicles fitted either with its own range of bodyworks or other ones supplied by various coachbuilders. For this German automaker, Spohn was the preferred one not only because it knew all the whatnots of the vehicle but also because its engineers did an excellent job. After all, Maybach was a luxurious brand, and nothing could tell more about that than a stunning look.

The coachbuilder created the Streamlined (Stromlinien) shape for big vehicles so they could easier cut through the air. These were the most aerodynamic products made by Spohn. For the SW 35/38, the coachbuilder redesigned the front fascia, thus replacing the straight and vertical radiator installed by the carmaker. It added a tilted-back, curved panel. Its long and curved front fenders sported the headlights, which were enclosed in tear-shaped cases. From its profile, the long vehicle featured flat side panels that made the air go smoother on the sides, towards the sloped-down rear end. Unlike the regular Maybach, the Spohn version’s doors were hinged on the B-post. Another particular aspect of this open-top luxurious vehicle was the fully retractable canvas, which could’ve been completely concealed behind the cabin.

Thanks to its large cabin, the SW 38 Stromlinien provided a great level of comfort for the occupants. Expensive materials and excellent craftsmanship were also included.

Since Germany was preparing for war, high-grade gasoline had become scarce at that time. Thus, the formerly used 3.5-liter inline six had to be bored and increased to a 3.8-liter displacement so customers didn’t feel a drop in the power output.