Tipo V4

The 16-cylinder Maserati was built by mounting two Tipo 26B inline-8 engines in a common crankcase with the two crankshafts geared together. The result was a power output of around 280 to 305 bhp from 4.0 litres. The Tipo 26 frame was stretched to a wheelbase of 2.75 metres and the car mounted 19-inch wheels. The 980 kg car was a monster to drive, with a claimed top speed of 250 to 260 km/h (155 to 161.5mph), fuel consumption of 50 litres per 100 km (5.45 mpg) and a healthy appetite for tyres as well.

Before retiring in the second heat of the 1929 Monza Grand Prix, Alfieri Maserati drove the V4 to a lap speed of 198.7 kph (124.2 mph) - a record that stood until 1954. Baconin Borzacchini set a Class F world record at an average of 246,069 km/h (153.79 mph) over 10 kilometres at the Cremona road-circuit on 1st July 1929; it would take Malcolm Campbell and his 1,500 bhp Bluebird special to better this three years later. Driven by Borzacchini the Maserati V4 won the Tripoli GP in 1930, and Fagioli took the Rome GP in 1931.