Maybach W5
Car : Maybach W5
Year : 1927
Engine : 6 cylinders in line
Bore and stroke :94×168 mm
Cylinder capacity : 6996 cc
Gears : 2 forward
Brake horse power : 120
Maximum speed : 80 mph
Wheelbase : 12 ft 0 ins (3.66 m)
Suspension : front and rear : semi-elliptic leaf- springs
Maybach was founded in 1912 in Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance to produce engines for airships and airplanes. It turned to cars as a consequence of the armistice imposed on Germany in 1918. Its first engine was a 6-cylinder and this was adopted by the Dutch firm Spyker. From engines it expanded to complete cars (the body being built elsewhere according to the client’s taste). The designer was Karl Maybach, the son of the founder, Whilhelm. He gave his cars large engines whose flexibility allowed the use of the gearbox to be reduced to a minimum. The W5’s transmission only had two speeds (like the Model T Ford’s), first gear was for climbing steep slopes and second gear, direct drive , was for starting and normal progress. Naturally there was a reverse gear. The maximum power of the W5’s engine was 120 bhp at 2,800 revs (it had side valves operated by rockers and camshafts). The W3, which preceded the W5 , was the first German car to have four wheel brakes.
Maybach W5