05/01/2026
The 1935 Leichtbau Maier is a revolutionary automotive prototype designed by German engineer Friedrich Eugen Maier as a "people's car" concept. Completed in Berlin, it showcased advanced technology that predated the Volkswagen Beetle but never entered mass production due to political and technical circumstances.
Innovative FeaturesMaier, who had a background in aircraft construction at Junkers, applied several patented aeronautical concepts to the vehicle:Self-Supporting Body: It featured one of the first self-supporting all-steel bodies, a design patented by Maier in 1932.Steering Headlights: A central headlight was designed to turn in synchronization with the wheels to better illuminate curves.Adjustable Components: The prototype included a height-adjustable chassis and a driver's seat that could be adjusted for height, length, and angle.Lightweight Design: True to its name (Leichtbau means "lightweight construction"), the car weighed only 684 kg.
