[faksta]

1926-1932 Maserati Tipo 26. The Tipo 26 was the first Alfieri Maserati's self-developed car after he had left the Diatto company which he worked and raced for through 1922-1926. The car was presented in 1926, which gave it the name, and suddenly won the first race it attended - 1926 Targa Florio (1st in Voiturette class - up to 1500cc - and 9th in absolute) driven by Alfieri Maserati himself. Tipo 26 had straight 8 supercharged 1492,9cc engine capable of 120-128hp @ 5300-6000rpm, 3-speed gearbox and 2-seat aluminium body. The first-ever Maserati weighed 720-780kg depending on a version. Thanks to it Tipo 26 could run 180-200kmh. 11 cars were made, counting all its evolutions.

1-2. Maserati Tipo 26 at 1926 Targa Florio. Alfieri Maserati at the wheel.
3. Maserati Tipo 26 at 1926 Bologna-Lojano race driven by Alfieri's brother Ernesto Maserati.
4. Maserati Tipo 26 in 1926. Presumably (judging on a car numbers) the same event as the two first pictures.
5-6. Some strange (at least for me) version of Tipo 26 with different rear end (much longer and missing two spare wheels - looks more like Tipo 26B, but with vertical grille) and headlamps. Believing shorey.net, it is from 1926, too. Don't have some additional information, tho.