MASERATI 8 CTF – year 1938

Officine Alfieri Maserati SpA, Modena, Italy.

Ernesto brothers, Bindo and Ettore Maserati have opted in 1937 year, due to financial difficulties, sell his factory to entrepreneur Adolf Orsi and his son Omar. However, according to the contract, the production of cars was still running 10 for years it was endorsed by Ernesto and Bindo Maserati, while Ettore took over the management of the spark plug factory.

W 1938 year a new model was created 8 CTF to match Mercedes and Auto Union, reigning supreme at all Grand Prix races. The new Maserati has a proven eight-cylinder engine (∅ 69 x 100 mm) constructed still in 1930 year, however, this time with increased boost pressure from the compressors. Pressure increased from 80 do 120 kPa, making the engine power 257,6 kW (350 KM) by 6000 RPM. Two four-cylinder engine blocks with two camshafts in the cylinder head had mass 250 kg. An interesting solution is the front axle with trapezoidal wishbones with the use of longitudinal torsion bars. The stiff rear axle was suspended by quarter-elliptical leaf springs. The whole car had a lot of weight 850 kg. It was an equal partner for strong German cars, although he did not win any victory. In some races, he was leading or even setting records for one lap, but most often he did not finish the competition at all due to various defects. This happened, among others, during the Tripoli Grand Prix race at Melaha circuit and at the French Grand Prix in Pau. Paul Pietsch's third place in 1939 of the year at the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. It is also worth remembering the success of Wilbur Shaw - the two-time winner of the race 500 miles of Indianapolis in years 1939 i 1940. He then ran a slightly modified version of the model 8 CTF.