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1932 Maserati Tipo V5. As a further development of last year's Formula Libre car - the Tipo V4 - Alfieri Maserati issued a new version by increasing displacement of actually the same coupled V16 engine to 5 liters. The result was impressing - 360hp applied to 1050kg weight lead to maximum speed of 270kmh, which let Amedeo Ruggeri make an attempt to set up a new land speed record in 1932. Record attempts became a major field of Maserati's business after it's founder's death in 1932. Besides, there was some influence from their new partner's side - Pirelli tyre company. Unfortunately, the chassis of V5 were outdated, and such powerful engine caused very strong strain to them. All in all, the trip to Montlhery for setting up the new world record in an outdated car wasn't a good idea. Moreover, Ruggeri had a very little experience of driving at Montlhery. After leaving the West banking on thirteenth lap, Amedeo was flunged out of the cockpit. The car was nearly destructed, Ruggeri died immediately. As for Grand Prix racing, the Tipo V5 was not successful there, too - partly because of Alfa Romeo's new Tipo B P3 cars, which despite on power leak were much lighter, partly because the V5 chassis' age and unreliability. After such failure a rebuilt after Ruggeri's fatal crash Tipo V5 ran only one race in 1934 - Tripoli Grand Prix driven by Piero Taruffi, but on sixth lap retired again because of Taruffi's own driving mistake. Besides automotive racing, those monumental V16 engines appeared at Count Theo Rossi's boat - Montelera XV (or, believing other sources, Baglietto XV). Two engines of opposed rotation were mounted on it, and brought success to Rossi - at 1933 Gardone competitions he reached 114mph - the highest speed for Gardone ever. Together with them, 3 5-liter V16 engines were made and only 1 complete car.

More on Maserati-engined boats here:
Maserati Motonautica

1. Maserati Tipo V5 in 1932.
2. 1932 Real Premio of Rome - Luigi Fagioli in Tipo V5.
3. 1932 Monza - Luigi Fagioli comes side by side with Tazio Nuvolari's Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3.
4. 1934 Tripoli GP - Piero Taruffi stands near to rebuilt Tipo V5. Photo courtesy of Igor Zanisi.
5. Here it is - 5-liter V16 engine, one of three. Photo courtesy of Igor Zanisi.