1937 Maybach SW38 Spohn Roadster
- Engine
- 3.79L SOHC inline-six, twin Solex carburetors, 140 bhp
- Colour
- Black with oxblood red interior
A Maybach SW38 Spohn roadster, chassis 2055, built between 1936 and 1939 on the shorter of the two available SW38 wheelbase options, bodied by Spohn Karrosserie of Ravensburg in a rare two-seat open configuration analogous to the Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial-Roadster. Powered by a 3,790 cc inline six producing 140 bhp and fitted with the marque's distinctive eight-speed preselector DSG transmission, the car passed through a documented chain of German and American ownership, was displayed at several Classic Car Club of America concours events in the mid-1960s, and was subsequently restored in black with an oxblood interior before a long period on public display in the Carail Museum and later the Imperial Palace collection.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,072,500
- → 1963Acquisition unknownColin 'Dick' Spaightpartial documentation
Based in Platterville, Wisconsin; a photograph taken near his farm around 1961 or 1962 shows the car in unrestored condition with black bodywork and grey fenders.
- 1963 →Private saleM.L. 'Bud' Cohnpartial documentation
California-based collector known for founding a concours event and his Mercedes-Benz holdings; held the car less than a year before selling it on.
- → 1970Private saleLenora Pope Lytelpartial documentation
Resident of Chula Vista, California and granddaughter of early automobile pioneer Colonel Albert Pope; had the car repainted dark blue with a light-coloured top before driving it extensively along the California coast, covering roughly 15,000 miles.
- 1970 →Private saleDon Williamspartial documentation
Purchased the car at age 25; retained it for several years before selling to Malouf, then reacquired it at a later date.
- → 1988Acquisition unknownRichard and Linda Kughnpartial documentation
Prominent Michigan collectors who displayed the car in their Carail museum; parted with it via a trade in 1988.
- 1988 → 1999Private saleImperial Palace, Las Vegaspartial documentation
Las Vegas attraction that kept the car on static display for more than a decade.
- 1999 →Private saleCurrent ownerpartial documentation
Acquired from the Imperial Palace to join a small, curated private collection.
- Date unknownFactory deliveryErich Tghartpartial documentation
Head of a heavy equipment firm in Dortmund and noted art collector; original recipient per the Maybach Register, though the body configuration may have been altered shortly after delivery.
- Date unknownDirector of Sohler Maschinenfabrik, Wangenpartial documentation
Repair invoices from specialist Anton Zwick dating to 1951 document mechanical work carried out on behalf of this owner, including sourcing parts from the Maybach factory.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownUS Army officer stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahomanone documentation
Believed by Spaight's brother to have imported the car to the United States; no documentary corroboration.
- Date unknownPrivate salePhil Maloufpartial documentation
Albuquerque, New Mexico owner who maintained the car for several years before selling it back to Williams.
- Date unknownPrivate saleDon Williamspartial documentation
Reacquired the car from Malouf; during this period a full restoration was undertaken by Mike Fennel, resulting in the current black exterior with oxblood red interior.
Competition
- 1965Classic Car Club of America Grand ClassicCCCA Far West Grand Classic 1965
Car displayed by Lenora Pope Lytel at this California-region CCCA event.
- 1966Classic Car Club of America Grand ClassicSanta Barbara Grand Classic 1966
Exhibited by Lytel at the Santa Barbara edition of the CCCA Grand Classic series.
- 1966Antique Automobile Club of AmericaAACA San Diego Region Antique Ramble 1966Driver: Lenora Pope Lytel
Lytel participated in this regional AACA driving event the same year as the Santa Barbara concours.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1951MechanicalAnton Zwick
Mechanical repairs and refurbishment carried out, with some components sourced directly from the Maybach factory via subcontractors.
Zwick was a noted Maybach factory motor specialist; invoices from this work survive in the car's file.
- 1964BodyworkM.L. 'Bud' Cohn
Car repainted in dark blue with a cream or white hood, and received mechanical and cosmetic attention prior to delivery to Lenora Pope Lytel.
Work commissioned by Lytel and carried out by Cohn before the sale was completed.
- —Modification
The original engine was replaced with unit number 11164 at an undetermined date prior to 1951.
Replacement engine is confirmed present by invoices from 1951 onward.
- —RestorationMike Fennel
Full restoration to black bodywork with an oxblood red interior, carried out after the car was reacquired by Don Williams.
Restoration performed by the late Mike Fennel; the car retains this colour scheme at time of cataloguing.
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