Rare Car Archive

Makes › Maserati Italy › 8CL · Factory competition · 1940 Ultra Rare

Maserati
8CL

3-litre 16-valve straight-eight GP/Indy car

IDENTIFICATION CARD · MASERATI 8CL 1940
No licensed photograph yet. Photographs are published only when their licence permits it.
2BuiltIndependently researched
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
2 Built
Years
1940
Engine
2,981 cc / 3.0 LFactory: 2,981 cc
Power
309 kW / 421 PSFactory: 415 hp · converted
Top speed
286 km/hFactory: 178 mph · converted
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Ernesto Maserati
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The 8CL was Ernesto Maserati's 1939 successor to the 8CTF, a supercharged three-litre straight eight made from two 4CL four-cylinder engines. The factory built it hoping to repeat the 8CTF's Indianapolis 500 wins in 1940, and only two were made.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityUltra Rare 2 · Built1
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productioncars built 21 Factory production Independently researched

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Maserati had been sold to the Orsi family in 1937, with the brothers staying on. After the 4CL voiturette, Ernesto Maserati created the 8CL in 1939 for Grand Prix racing by merging two 4CL engines. The factory expected to follow Wilbur Shaw's 1939 Indianapolis 500 win in the 8CTF with another in 1940. After the war Maserati raced the 8CL and 4CL again.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard 8CL.

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutNot yet verified
Displacement 2,981 cc / 3.0 LFactory: 2,981 cc2 Independently researchedSupercars.net lists 3,981 cc, which does not match 8 x 78 x 78 mm bore and stroke.
Bore 78 mmFactory: 78 mm2 Independently researched
Stroke 78 mmFactory: 78 mm2 Independently researched
Compression ratio6.5:13 Independently researched
ValvetrainDOHC, four valves per cylinder (two inlet, two exhaust), gear-driven camshafts2 Independently researched
Fuel systemTwo double-barrel Memini carburettors2 Independently researched
InductionTwo Roots-type superchargers2 Independently researched
Power 309 kW / 421 PSFactory: 415 hp · converted2 Independently researchedSupercars.net gives 415 bhp at 6,400 rpm.
Power at 6,600 rpm2 Independently researched"around 6,600 rpm"; Supercars.net gives 6,400 rpm.
TorqueNot yet verified

Transmission & drivetrain

Gearbox4-speed manual3 Independently researched
GearsNot yet verified
Driven wheelsNot yet verified

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisNot yet verified
Front suspensionNot yet verified
Rear suspensionNot yet verified
BrakesNot yet verified
SteeringNot yet verified
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 2,790 mmFactory: 2,790 mm3 Independently researched
Length 3,830 mmFactory: 3,830 mm3 Independently researched
WidthNot yet verified
HeightNot yet verified
Front trackNot yet verified
Rear trackNot yet verified
Kerb weight 780 kgFactory: 780 kg3 Independently researched
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 286 km/hFactory: 178 mph · converted3 Independently researchedListed as about 286.5 km/h.
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tankNot yet verified

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The 8CL engine has two cast-iron four-cylinder blocks with integral heads on one crankcase, two inlet and two exhaust valves per cylinder driven by gear-driven twin overhead camshafts, and two Roots superchargers at the nose, each with a double-barrel Memini carburettor feeding one bank. Sixteen separate exhaust header pipes show the four-valve layout.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    1940 Maserati 8CL Specifications - Ultimatecarpage.com Level C
    • 2 cars built
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  2. 2
    Maserati 8CL Level C Ultimatecarpage.com (Wouter Melissen)
    • identical bore and stroke of 78 mm, swept volume of 2,981cc
    • identical bore and stroke of 78 mm
    • two exhaust and two intake valves per cylinder; pair of overhead camshafts
    • each supercharger fitted with a double barrel Memini carburettor
    • Two Roots-type superchargers mounted at the nose
    • rated at 415 bhp at around 6,600 rpm
    • 415 bhp at around 6,600 rpm
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  3. 3
    1940 Maserati 8CL Level C Supercars.net
    • compression 6.5:1
    • transmission 4-Speed Manual
    • wheelbase 2790 mm
    • length 3830 mm
    • curb weight 780 kg
    • top speed 178 mph
    Accessed 2026-11-13

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