The first-born child of Wilhelm Maybach, Karl Maybach, followed in his father’s footsteps, realizing amazing cars that we still admire today.
The first steps
Karl Maybach was born in Deutz, the 6th of july 1879 and quickly followed his father’s example, becoming a mechanical engineer at the age of seventeen.
After an initial period at Loewe & Co. in Berlin, Karl Maybach started working as a trainee at “Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft” in Cannstatt. During this period of training - and thanks to his father’s advice (testified by extensive correspondence) - Karl Maybach quickly learned all the secrets concerning the building of great engines.
In 1909, Karl Maybach became technical manager at “Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau GmbH”.
After a few years, the talented engineer took over the running of the company, renaming it “Maybach Motorenbau GmbH”, and basing it in Friedrichshafen.
After a few years, the talented engineer took over the running of the company, renaming it “Maybach Motorenbau GmbH”, and basing it in Friedrichshafen.
The quest for luxury
Even during the arduous period of World War I, Karl Maybach demonstrated his immense skills and abilities in designing and building engines for airships and airplanes.
Back in peace time, the company was able to concentrate its efforts on automotive production and the marque Maybach acquired a reputation for creating sensationally luxurious automobiles.
In 1923, Karl Maybach’s fame was celebrated with the presentation of an honorary degree by the University of Stuttgart.
In 1923, Karl Maybach’s fame was celebrated with the presentation of an honorary degree by the University of Stuttgart.
Maybach's prestige
Thanks to the successfull series of luxury cars, Maybach’s prestige continued to grow and grow. It reached its zenith in 1929 with the production of the Maybach Type 12.
The Maybach Type 12 was equipped with the first 7 litre V12 engine delivering 150 hp. A stunning car, still regarded as a landmark in the history of automobile manufacturing, which Karl Maybach dedicated to his father, Wilhelm Maybach, who died later that year.
From 1947 to 1951, Karl Maybach lived with his family in Vernon, France. During this period he designed a 1.000 hp engine for the French government. In 1952 he left the management of “Maybach Motorenbau GmbH” and retired to his home in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Two years later, in 1954, he was awarded the Order of Merit by the Federal Republic of Germany.
Karl Maybach died in Friedrichshafen on 6th February 1960.
