Donnet / Donnet-Zédel

France, 1924 – 1934

SA des Automobiles Donnet, Nanterre, Seine; Neuilly, Seine, Pontarlier, Doubs.

After Zédel and Vinot et Deguingand ceased production, Donnet, a new company constituted from them in 1924, offered two new cars called Donnet-Zédel. A light car was made, the 7CV Donnet-Zedel Type G, which had a side-valve 4-cylinder engine of 1100cc and (unusual for so small a vehicle) a 4-speed gearbox. It was a solidly-built machine, and a Donnet-Zedel sports model was listed. There was, in addition, a medium-sized four of about 2¼-litres. From 1926, the Donnet-Zedel firm came to concentrate upon a 2½-litre six, also with side valves, which proved a popular car. Another, smaller six with 1.3-litres (later 1.8-litre) Sainturat-designed engine was also offered by Donnet-Zedel. In the 1932 range however, was a new small Donnet-Zedel car in the shape of a 750cc 2-stroke. This, a violet design, had been sold as the Dequingand until 1930. A fwd 2-litre 6-cylinder Donnet-Zedel, shown at the 1931 Paris Salon came to nothing. With the demise of Donnet, Simca took over the Donnet-Zedel factory.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; TRN

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Maybach

D, 1921 – 1941

Maybach Motoren-Werke GmbH, Friedrichshafen

Wilhelm Maybach left the Daimler company in 1907. Together with Count Zeppelin he founded a factory primarily for the production of aero engines, especially for the Zeppeling air-ships. These engines were designed by Karl Maybach, Wilhelm’s son. After World War 1, Karl Maybach started to build a 22/70ps 5.7-litre 6-cylinder engine intended for motor cars. This Maybach engine was used by Spyker, but no other factories were interested, so Maybach decided to take up Maybach car production on his own. From the beginning Maybach cars aimed at a high quality car with outstanding driving comfort. The first Maybach Model W3 appeared at the 1921 Berlin Motor Show, and this Maybach car featured a very advanced 2-speed pedal-controlled transmission. This Maybach carmodel was produced until 1926. It was followed by the ohv Maybach Model W5 (for sale in 1926 – 1930) using a 27/120ps 7-litre engine in the same chassis, this being available with Maybach’s Schnellgang 2-speed auxiliary box, giving the Maybach car 4 forward speeds. The Maybach 12 of 1929 had a V12 7-litre engine, which was superseded one year later by the Maybach Zeppelin, also with V12 7-litre engine of 150bhp; after 1931 the Maybach car was also available with an 8-litre 200bhp engine. The Zeppelin range was listed until 1939. Maybach Zeppelin car chassis were also fitted with 6-cylinder engines of 7-litres capacity (already used in Maybach Model W5) and a new 5.2-litre engine developing 130bhp (the Maybach W6 and DSH models respectively). These Maybach cars retained beam axles to the end and were characterized by 7-speed boxes of great complexity. A Zeppelin chassis for the Maybach car cost the equivalent of £1.300 in Germany.

In 1935 a new 6-cylinder Maybach car was presented, starting the SW range. This was the Maybach SW35 with a 3.5-litre 140bhp engine. Engine capacity of this Maybach car was raised to 3.8-litres in the Maybach SW38 in 1936 and to 4.2-litres in the SW42 of 1940. Production of the Maybach car ceased in 1941. The Maybach Zeppelin shared with the Mercedes 770 the claim to be the most exclusive German car of the 1930s. This reputation was enhanced by Maybach cars high standards of material and finish, of comfort and quietness in running. No less well-made were the 6-cylinder Maybach cars which were in the first rank of German cars of this class. Maybach only built complete chassis for their Maybach cars, bodies being made by various firms to customers’ special requirements. Best known of these firms was Spohn of Ravensburg. Spohn aslo built aerodynamic bodies to Jaray designs for the Maybach Zeppelin in 1932 and 1934, and for the Maybach SW35 in 1935. These versions Maybach cars were produced only in very limited numbers. Maybach car production was not taken up again after World War 2. Altogether, some 2.000 Maybach cars are believed to have been made. In 1960 Maybach cars pooled their interests with Daimler-Benz in the manufacture of diesel engines for locomotives and ships.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; HON

The information is written with the greatest of care. However, if you have any suggested amendments please contact us at office@prewarcar.com