1932 Maserati 8C 3000 - Images, Specifications and Information

Model history:

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Before his untimely death in March of 1932, Alfieri Maserati was in the process of developing both a series of new engines and a revolutionary new chassis. Appropriately dubbed Trazione Anteriori (T.A.), the new chassis sported front wheel drive and independent front suspension. In anticipation of the new engine, it was equipped with the familar 2.5 litre eight cylinder engine used in the Type 26 models. This upcoming engine penned by Alfieri was also a straight eight, but of a new design and displacing nearly 3 litres. Sadly after his death the new drivetrain was abandoned, but the construction and development of the engine continued.

Developed in conjuction with a 1.5 litre four cylinder engine, with which shared many components, the new eight cylinder engine was state of the art and used exotic alloys throughout. Like its predecessors, it featured dual overhead camshafts driven gears from the crankshaft. To get the most out of the engine, a Roots-Type Supercharger was fitted in front of the engine. In its first application, the engine produced around 220 bhp. It was installed in a relatively conventional chassis with live axles all around and rear wheel drive through a four speed gearbox. Dubbed the 8C 3000, the Grand Prix racer was campaigned in the 1932 and 1933 seasons with a victory in the 1933 French Grand Prix at Monthelery as a highlight.

Maserati only built two complete cars and two additional 8C 3000 engines. Around the second of the spare engines, a complete car was later built. Not entirely unsuccessful, it served as a stop-gap before the Ernesto Maserati designed, single seater Tipo 8CM debuted in 1933. It was built to the new 750 kg regulations for 1934, but retained the advanced eight cylinder engine drawn up by Alfieri, which eventually produced well over 280 bhp. It proved to be particularly popular with privateers and as a result was a sportive and commercial success for the remaining Maserati brothers.

Chassis: 3001

Completed late in 1932, chassis the first 8C 3000 was debuted by Luigi Fagioli in the Czechoslovak Grand Prix at Brno. He finished a commendable second behind Louis Chiron in a Bugatti Type 51. During the 1933 Tripoli Grand Prix, Giuseppe Campari led for most of the race in '3001' but was forced to retire with mechanical problems. It all came good at the French Grand Prix on the banked Monthlery track. Here Campari beat a swarm of Alfas in convincing fashion. It was subsequently raced by Count Baconin Borzacchini, who did not prove to be as lucky as Campari. He fatally crashed his Maserati during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The damage to the car was minimal and after being repaired, it was sold to an Italian privateer. He raced the car at a variety of events, including the 1934 Monaco Grand Prix.
At the end of the decade, it was sold to Great Britain but it eventually ended up in the hands of noted Maserati collector Cameron Millar. At one point he owned both 8C 3000s. He did not hold on to '3001' long because it was not in the best of conditions. During the 1990s it was eventually restored to full running order and campaigned at the Monterey Historics. During the 2000 Christie's Pebble Beach auction, it was sold for an impressive $1 million. In 2008, the car reappeared during the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, 74 years after its first appearance.

Chassis: 3002

Chassis 3002 was the second of the two 8C 3000s constructed for the Maserati Works team. For the 1933 season, it was purchased by Sir Henry Birkin of Bentley Blower fame. He raced it to third place in the Tripoli Grand Prix, but due to a freak accident he burned his arm and picked up septicemia. Not much later the famed 'Bentley Boy' died in a British hospital with blood poisoning. His Maserati remained in Britain for decades to come, although changing hands many times. In the 1980s, it was bought by German collector Peter Kaus and permanently displayed in his Rosso Bianco museum. Early in 2006 he sold his entire collection and the rare Maserati racer is now part of the vast Louwman Collection where it is seen here.