-


RETURN TO  GALLERY

Maserati Tipo 8CL
Specifications
The Maserati RACE Car Gallery

Maserati Tipo 8CL

Previous

PREVIOUS VEHICLE

NEXT VEHICLE

Next

SPECIFICATIONS

Brief History:
The performance improvement achieved in the 4CL relative to the long stroke engines encouraged Ernesto Maserati to transfer the philosophy to 3 litre cars.  Whilst the 8CTF was performing well it was regarded as mechanically fragile and the four valve per cylinder and equal bore and stroke of the 4CL was judged more reliable.  Work had begun on the 8CL in 1939 coinciding with the company's move from Bologna to Modena. As on the 8CTF two independent carburettors were used, one for each block of four cylinders. The resulting power was 415 bhp well in excess of the 8CTF from which the 8CL had taken its external lines, albeit the 8CL had a slightly longer wheelbase.  The potential of the 8CL was never realised due to the outbreak of war and then a change in the regulations in 1946 outlawing the supercharged 3 litre.  The Milan team however ran the car in several races in Europe which it won and in the 1946 Indianapolis 500 where it performed brilliantly.  This success inevitably lead on to the 8CLT

TO TOP OF PAGE

Specifications:
Production Period: 1940-1946
Designed By: Ernesto Maserati
Body Built By: Maserati - single seat in aluminium
Number Built: 2
Dry Weight: 780 kg
Top Speed: 280-305 kph
Engine Type: Front, vertical in-line eight cylinders
Bore and Stroke: 78x78 mm
Displacement: 3981.7 cc
Compression: 6.5:1
Engine Output: 415-430 bhp @ 6400-6800 rpm
Valves & Actuation: Four OHV per cylinder in 90º "V" with dual overhead camshafts
Carburettion: Forced by two Roots compressors with two Meminis on the compressor intakes.  Mean effective pressure 19.57-19.08 kg/sq. cm
Ignition: Single with Scintilla magneto
Lubrication: Forced by pressure and scavenger pumps
Drive: Rear wheel drive
Clutch: Dry multi-disc
Gearbox: 4-speeds plus reverse
Frame: Two longitudinal members with cross-members in light alloy
Suspension - Front: Torsion bars and friction dampers
Suspension - Rear: Torsion bars and friction dampers
Brakes: Hydraulically operated wheel drums
Wheelbase: 2790 mm
Front & Rear Track: 1350 mm front; 1380 mm rear
Wheels & Tyres: Spoked: 3.25x19 - 4.00x19
Tyres: Pirelli 5.50x19 - 6.50x19 front and rear. For Indianapolis, Firestone tyres 7.x19 front and 7.50x19 rear
    
TO TOP OF PAGE  TO TOP OF LIST
 

Maserati 3500GT
MASERATI CLUB OF AUSTRALIA, Inc.
PO Box 6058  CROMER  VIC  3193  AUSTRALIA
Phone:
Fax:
61  3  9515 0311
61  3  9515 0321

Send mail to with any questions or comments. 
Copyright © Reark Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. 
Last updated:   Monday, June 30, 2003.