1932 Maserati 8C 3000

The Maserati 8C 3000, first introduced in 1931, was a racing car that boasted impressive technical specifications for its time. The heart of this machine was its eight-cylinder engine. The engine was a DOHC unit with two valves per cylinder, and it was supercharged. It had a displacement of 2,988cc, and it produced a maximum output of 220 horsepower at 5,500 rpm. The car was designed and manufactured by Maserati and was one of the fastest racing cars of its time.

This engine was mated to a four-speed manual transmission that was mounted behind the engine. The gearbox was a synchromesh unit, which made shifting gears smoother and easier. The transmission sent power to the rear wheels through an open driveshaft and then to the differential. The rear wheels were driven by rigid axles, which provided a high level of stability during high-speed cornering.

The Maserati 8C 3000 was built on a ladder-type chassis that utilized large diameter steel tubing. The front suspension used a double wishbone design, while the rear featured a live axle with longitudinal leaf springs. The massive brakes on this machine were hydraulically operated and consisted of drums on all four wheels. This allowed for instantaneous, confident deceleration from high speeds.

The bodywork of the 8C 3000 was aerodynamically styled and designed with a focus on low weight and good performance. The styling was elegant, streamlined and wholly unique from other cars of the era. The car was available in both open and closed body styles.

The overall dimensions of the car were 4,280 mm in length, 1,700 mm in width and 1,220 mm in height, while the wheelbase was 2,700 mm. The car weighed just under 950 kg, which was quite remarkable given the size of the engine.

The vehicle was able to reach speeds well in excess of 200 kilometres per hour and was a dominant force on the European racing circuit. The car has since become a classic, admired and coveted by collectors and automotive enthusiasts worldwide. The world-renowned Maserati racing brand continues its legacy to this day, holding true to its values of speed, power, beauty, and elegance.