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The reason this Maybach bears the Zeppelin name is because the company that produced the immense airships by that name made the massive V-12 engine. A special truck chassis had to be engineered to carry the 1000+ pound behemoth engine! Like other cars of its ilk, the 1939 Maybach Zeppelin was big, expensive and thoroughly unique.
In spite of its older technology (spell that few features) this image has been commanding high prices on after-market auctions. Part of the reason is its low availability but I suspect it's because of the overall look of this glitzy example of Thirties excess. For years, FM released these older cars and they've done well. Which begs the question of whether you need all those whistles and bells to sell an image to die cast collectors. Don't get me wrong - rotating driveshafts, removable convertible tops, working suspensions and cranking windows really get my motor running but I also like to admire the sheer beauty of Golden Age design. The Maybach is one fine example of what I mean. The paint job is first class and you can lift the hood and admire the mammoth V-12, or open the doors and look into the cavernous interior (in 1:24 scale terms, of course). This one's to put on the shelf and admire for its classic lines, gleaming paint, glinting chrome and sheer beauty.
I agree with those who say the Twenties and Thirties were the Golden Age of automotive design. In 1939, the Maybach Zeppelin was poised on the cusp of a new era - an era that would eclipse the Golden Age into memory and nostalgia, along with the impressive but fragile airships that once graced its skies. The issue price is $135.
(08/20/2001)
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