Tipo 8CM - 1933-1935
The 8CM's chassis was inspired by the 4CM 1100 but soon proved too flexible. Its generous 3-litre eight-cylinder engine and big 400mm tamburi put significant stress on the very light car structure. Even Campari felt that the road-holding was not up to scratch, but at the time, the emphasis was more on engine power than overall vehicle equilibrium in the Maserati camp. Tazio Nuvolari set things right by making the front section of the chassis more rigid, and thus the whole car more competitive.
The modifications he made were also included on 8CMs built later. Then, in 1934, the chassis was widened to 850 mm to correspond with the cockpit and comply with the rules of the new International Formula. The 8CMs were mostly used by private drivers and achieved a good number of successes during their life span.
Technical data
| 0-60 mph | |
| Bodywork | aluminium-bodied single seater |
| Bore and stroke | 69x100 mm |
| Brakes | hydraulic drum brakes on the wheels |
| Brakes front | |
| Brakes rear | |
| Chassis | ladder frame, with two longitudinal steel girders and cross members |
| Compression ratio | 5.26:1-6.35:1 |
| Cooling system | water-cooled, centrifugal pump |
| Displacements (unitary) | |
| Dry weight | 1,730 lbs (785 kg) - 1,653 lbs from 1934 (750 kg) |
| Engine | vertical in-line 8 |
| Engine weight | |
| First race | 03/26/1933 - Tunis GP |
| Front Tyres | |
| Front suspension | leaf springs, friction dampers, anti-roll bar |
| Front track | |
| Fuel & lubricant | |
| Fuel feed | Roots supercharger, a single Weber 55AS1 carburettor mounted ahead of the supercharger |
| Fuel tank | 42.89 Imp. gall. (195 litres) |
| Gear ratios | |
| Height | 47.24 in. (1,200 mm) |
| Ignition | single-plug, Bosch or Scintilla magneto |
| Kerb weight | |
| Length | 151.57 in. (3,850 mm) |
| Length-Width-Height | |
| Lubrication | dual oil pumps (pressure and scavenge) |
| Maximum power | 220-240 bhp at 5,500 rpm |
| Maximum torque | |
| Model | 8CM |
| One mile | |
| Production dates | 1933-1935 |
| Production start | 1933 |
| Quarter mile | |
| Rear Tyres | |
| Rear suspension | leaf springs, friction dampers, anti-roll bar |
| Rear track | |
| Reduction | |
| Steering | worm and sector |
| Timing gear | two valves per cylinder set in a 90°V, twin overhead camshafts |
| Top speed | 136.5-155 mph (220-250 km/h) |
| Total displacement | 2,991.4 cc |
| Transmission | 4-speed + reverse |
| Tyres | fr/rear 5.50x19-6.00x19; Dunlop, Pirelli, Englebert |
| Weight distribution | |
| Wheelbase | 100.78 in (2,560 mm) |
| Wheels | wire wheels, 4.00x19-4.50x19 |
| Width | 61.81 in. (1,570 mm) |