A pair of eight-cylinder engined Maserati Grand Prix cars ...

Maserati specialised in building racing cars during the 1930s, many of which were sold to customers to race. The top-of-the-range Grand Prix cars from the Italian manufacturer were usually powered by straight-eight engines. The first true single seater Grand Prix car was the 8CM. Introduced in 1933, it featured a powerful eight-cylinder engine but a rather outdated ladder-frame chassis. Italian racing legend Tazio Nuvolari personally modified his car with chassis reinforcements. This proved sufficient for him to win the Belgian Grand Prix in this very chassis. It is one of seven different examples featured in our action-packed, 116-shot gallery.
The very last straight-eight engine designed by the Maserati brothers debuted in the 8CL, which was first raced in the 1940 Indy 500. The engine used was distinctly different than any eight-cylinder that came before as it featured four valves per cylinder. Although it was the same size, the 8CL engine was almost twice as powerful as the original 8CM engine introduced just seven years earlier. Unfortunately, the War prevented the 8CL from racing much beyond its single appearance at Indy. The featured example was the second 8CL, which was not built until 1946. It raced at Indy four times but with little luck. Having been displayed in the Indy museum for many years, it has recently been brought back to Europe and restored to full running order for its German owner.

Enjoy the links:

[url="http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/6842/Maserati-8CL.html"]1940 Maserati 8CL - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]

[url="http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/668/Maserati-8CM.html"]1933 - 1935 Maserati 8CM - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]