Der Prototyp

The present location

Zylinderhausmuseum
Adolf-Kolping-Str. 2, 54470 Bernkastel-Kues

Technical data

vehicles`model limousine, 2-door
for 4 persons
Aufbau monocoque closed all-steel bodywork (patent application) with high-adjustable undercarriage (patent application) and independent suspension
size ca. 4000 x 1700 x 1600 mm
brakes drum brake, all around
wheels steel rims, 19 inch
electrical system 6 V
Engine
original		 from DKW F4
692 ccm / 20 HP
3 gear box
Engine
current		 from VW-beetle
1200 ccm / 30 HP
4 gear box
speed about 100 km/h
weight 684 kg
laden weight 1034 kg
special qualities at that time
  • streamlined shape
  • height-adjustable body (Patent)
  • full-adjustable drivers`seat (Patent)
  • adaptive headlights
  • interchangeable wheels housing covering at the back. Both variants are still available.

Adolf Hitler wanted a vehicle for the masses in the early 30`es. He stipulated some preconditions for that vehicle by an announcement in 1933:

  • closed bodywork
  • room for 4 persons
  • freeway-suitable
  • rear engine
  • 990,- RM at most

The qualified engineer Friedrich Eugen Maier got 300.000 Reichsmark for the development from a not further specified company located in Munich, the development of Leichtbau (lightweight) Maier.

The History of the Automobile

  • 1933 The Leichtbau Maier project begins in this year, when F. E. Maier files the patent for the vehicle. This can be regarded as a milestone and is fundamental to all common sedan cars known today.
  • 1934 F. E. Maier participates with his Leichtbau Maier project in the Volkswagen tender. Financial backers are quickly found.
  • 1935 The vehicle is completed and presented as early as January 1935. Many years later it is established that Ferdinand Porsche had already received the contract from Adolf Hitler and the Reich Ministry of Transport to build the Volkswagen in the spring of 1934.
  • 1936 One year later, his company premises are seized by the government, and the forward-looking vehicle remains unnoticed at Sömmeringstraße 30.
  • 1943 The vehicle is severely damaged during an air raid.
  • until 1954 The vehicle remains at Sömmeringstraße.
  • 1954 - 1959 The vehicle is stored in the Darwin garages at Darwinstr. 1–9 in Berlin.
  • 1959 - 1976 The vehicle remains in the former cowsheds at Gierkeplatz in Berlin. In 1974/75 it appears in the film “Tadellöser und Wolff”. It is still unrestored and bears the patina of the war.
  • 1976 The vehicle is sold as a wreck from the estate by Maier’s daughter to a film prop company in Berlin.

If you are interested in Mr. Maiers`life, read `the inventor`. If you are rather interested in that car, read `finder`.