Even in the post-Chrysler age, Maybach remains a bit of a thorn in Mercedes' side. Its vehicles have been far less than the sales success hoped for, prompting Daimler to buy back 29 Maybach dealers. Subsequently the parent company wouldn't be so eager to invest more into the ultra-premium brand, but reports are circulating the internet of a new version that would require significantly less investment than an all-new model that could breathe a little more life into the dying breed.
Landaulets were a popular bodystyle in the 1920's and 30's, one which Maybach may be resurrecting with a half-convertible version of the extra-long Maybach 62. With a convertible roof fitted from the B-pillar rearwards, the Maybach 62 Landaulet would let the sun shine in on its pampered rear occupants, while leaving the front section covered with a conventional roof for the chauffer.
Reports indicate that the Landaulet version is being prepared for launch at next month's Middle East International Motor Show, held mid-November in Dubai, where some eccentric and moneyed sheiks might still be interested in the unique vehicles.
[Source: World Car Fans]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
i hate trolls @ Oct 15th 2007 12:03PM
Typical autoblogger reaction:
"The roof folds down so the terrorists(of which every person of middle east descent must be) can shoot down our brave innocent American troops, right? I'm never buying another m-b vehicle because they want Americans killed."
Mike @ Oct 15th 2007 12:15PM
You're retarded...
i hate trolls @ Oct 15th 2007 12:33PM
Ouch, but you can't deny the racist pricks on ab that love to try to pluck american heartstrings by saying things like that, followed by "buy american".
willem @ Oct 15th 2007 3:01PM
Your "preemptive strike" was all for naught, for you were creating a "solution" for a problem that doesn't exist, you troll.
Harrison @ Oct 15th 2007 8:32PM
Hey, Willem, he's only taking a page out of your book.
Bozo @ Oct 15th 2007 12:17PM
Love the La-Z-Boy chair in the back
Random Task @ Oct 15th 2007 12:19PM
Are there separate Hitler and Mussolini editions? Bring back that old school Axis luxury....
Rollolo @ Oct 15th 2007 12:27PM
Maybach? Hitler? Mussolini? Idiot! But you're right, they will be released right after the Lexus "stupid Americans buy Lexus"-edition and the Infiniti "japanese massacre on Chinese"-edition.
Random Task @ Oct 15th 2007 12:32PM
Those are exactly the kind of cars those tinpot 1930s dictators rode in. All the 3rd world rabble like Idi Amin loved Mercedes as well. That's a real great image that they've always had, the cars of wretched authoritarian excess....buy Mercedes!
Rollolo @ Oct 15th 2007 12:59PM
with Idi Amin you are in better society as with the Toyota-drivers... that's logical, hater!
nagmashot @ Oct 15th 2007 3:54PM
Hitler drove Mercedes not Maybach and mostly he drove Mercedes 3 axle military cars painted in civil color..
Hitlers car was a Mercedes Benz Type G 4 ..orginal a heavy off road personal carrier for the military, tuned into a dictator mover
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8b/Mercedes-Benz_W31_%28G4%29.JPG
they have build only small number for the Wehrmacht of which most went directly into Hitlers garage..
Alex @ Oct 15th 2007 2:42PM
this idea, like T-tops on a Solstice, is awful.
Colin Smith @ Oct 15th 2007 5:46PM
If based on the Maybach it will be a very ugly big convertible, only sold to African countries with dictators. ( Dictators are safer in Africa because the populations are unable to fire guns or throw bombs since they have mostly already starved to death ). So Mercedes should sell a few dozen, but who else wants one?
walt moffett @ Oct 15th 2007 5:58PM
remove the trunk lid, a little body and fender work, looks like it might sell as a pickup to eccentric Texas oil men and Florida real estate developers.
SPG @ Oct 15th 2007 6:31PM
I can only see a handful of these being built.
If that in fact.
And because they will be so exclusive the price is going to be insane.
It would seem that getting a custom chopped
S-Class would be a better idea for the consumer.
Harrison @ Oct 15th 2007 8:31PM
I betcha Kim Jong-il will buy a couple of these; he loves anything that can boost his "godly" image.