
11-23-2007, 02:16 PM
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Enthusiast
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,914
Moscow, Russia
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1929-1930 Maserati Tipo V4. The Tipo V4 appeared in 1929 and made its debut at Monza with Alfieri Maserati. The major idea of the V4 was a brand-new 22,5 degrees V16 supercharged engine. With significant 3961cc and 280-305hp @ 5500rpm it became the most powerful Maserati that time. The name reflected an idea - 'V' stood for V16, and '4' meant 4-liter engine. Reaching 260kmh, the car had to set up good results on tracks. And it did - driving the V4 in 1929 Baconin Borzacchini finished second in Circuito de Alessandria and in Tripoli Grand Prix. But the real success came with a land speed racord set up by Borzacchini on September 28, 1929. The V4 driven by him made 10km distance in 246.069kmh (153mph).
1930 saw the V4 prepared for Indianapolis 500 race. For that one race a 3-step gearbox was applied to a car instead of commonly used 4-step transmission. The odds should have been for Maserati in that race, but magneto problems kicked Borzacchini off the race after just 3 laps... Despite this, later this year he won Tripoli Grand Prix and Pontedecimo-Giovi hill climb and Ernesto Maserati finished first in 1931 Real Premio of Rome.
Of the two cars built, the one described above was a Grand Prix racing version, and the other car designed by Zagato was a sport version named V4 Zagato Grand Sport (or V4 Sport Zagato) made in 1930. Besides, the third, Castagna-bodied car was promised to be built, but somehow it didn't happen.
Some additional information and pictures of restored Tipo V4 and V4 Zagato Grand Sport could be seen here: Maserati Enthusiasts' Page.
1-2. 1929-1930 Maserati Tipo V4.
3. 1929 Maserati Tipo V4 with Baconin Borzacchini at the wheel.
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Q: Could all of you say a few words comparing driving the new cars to last year’s?
JB: <...> I think this car backwards would be almost as good as last year’s car forwards.
Last edited by faksta; 11-24-2007 at 05:03 AM..
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