Tipo 26M

Alfieri Maserati's masterpiece. Also known as the 8C 2500. Straight-8 enlarged to 2.5 litres, considerably redesigned from the earlier Tipo 26. The cylinder block was in cast iron, with most ancillaries in elektron alloy. With roller bearings, tubular connecting rods and aluminium pistons. 185 bhp at 5,600 rpm.

Frames of different diameters were used, either made of steel, aluminium or elektron alloy - or even a mix of materials. Long wheelbase of 2.75 metres for the single-seater, even longer of 2.79 metres for the road-going Sport model. The single-seater had a dry weight of 820 kg and a top of 230 km/h (143 mph). The Sport version with open two-seater spider or open four-seater tourer bodies weighed in at 950 to 1,000 kg. Top speed 180 to 200 km/h (112 to 124 mph).

The 26M notched up four important Grand Prix victories at Rome and in Spain in 1930, and at Monza in 1930 and 1931. Among its owner-drivers were no less than three of the most famous Luigis of their time (Arcangeli, Fagioli and Castelbarco), but Clemente Biondetti and René Dreyfus as well. Three cars were sold to Great Britain (one to Bentley boy Henry Birkin), one to Whitney Straight of South Africa and one to a Mr Kotte of Berlin. 14 cars were made, one of them coachbuilt as a Gran Sport by Castagna and one as a spider by Zagato.