Makes › Maserati › V8RI · Factory competition · 1935–1936 Ultra Rare
Maserati
V8RI
4.8-litre V8 single-seater, Maserati’s first independent-suspension GP car
Still being researched: full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: Dave Hamster · CC BY 2.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 4 Built
- Years
- 1935–1936
- Engine
- Front-mounted 90 degree V8, single overhead camshaft per bank, supercharged
- Power
- 239 kW / 324 PSFactory: 320 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Ernesto Maserati
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- 4 (independently researched)
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The V8RI (V8 with independent wheel suspension) was Maserati's attempt in 1935 to challenge the German Silver Arrows with a single-seater designed as a whole, with independent suspension on all four wheels and the gearbox in unit with the differential. Its 320 hp supercharged V8 was outclassed by Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union, and the four cars ended up in America.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Maserati V8RI (Wikimedia Commons: Maserati V8RI)
Photo: Dave Hamster · CC BY 2.0
Maserati V8RI (Wikimedia Commons: Maserati V8RI)
Photo: Dave Hamster · CC BY 2.0
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionall four V8RI built in 1935-1936 survive, per the Maserati club gallery | 42 | Surviving examples | Independently researched |
| Total model productioncars built | 41 | 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
The first V8RI, chassis 4501, debuted in the Marne Grand Prix at Reims, driven by Philippe Etancelin, and was later crashed at the Swiss and Italian Grands Prix. To cure rear-end instability 4501 was converted to a rigid rear axle. Limited resources stopped Maserati developing the car further.
All four V8RIs went to the United States after the 1937 Vanderbilt Cup at Roosevelt Field. One was reduced to three litres for the 1939 Indianapolis 500, and Deacon Litz qualified a car at 117.979 mph, finishing last after valve trouble. One car was later fitted with a 331 cubic inch Chrysler Hemi V8 and raced in New England until 1960.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard V8RI.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Front-mounted 90 degree V8, single overhead camshaft per bank, supercharged3 Independently researched |
| Displacement | Not yet verified |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Dual-choke Weber carburettor3 Independently researched |
| Induction | Front-mounted Roots-type supercharger3 Independently researched |
| Power | 239 kW / 324 PSFactory: 320 hp · converted3,4 Independently researchedItalian source gives "320 CV". |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Independent, torsion-bar-sprung A-arms3 Independently researched |
| Rear suspension | Swing axle with leaf springs (chassis 4501 later converted to a rigid axle)3,5 Independently researched |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | 750 kgFactory: 750 kg4 Independently researched"around 750 kg" per the Italian page, in line with the Grand Prix formula limit. |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not 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 V8RI has a 90-degree single-overhead-camshaft V8 with the valves in a row under the camshafts, a front-mounted Roots supercharger and a dual-choke Weber carburettor. Its chassis has torsion-bar-sprung A-arms at the front and a swing-axle rear with leaf springs, a design that was later altered on chassis 4501 to a rigid rear axle.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
1935 - 1936 Maserati V8RI Specifications - Ultimatecarpage.com Level C
- 4 cars built
-
2
Maserati V8RI photo gallery Level C maserati.org.au (Maserati club gallery) · 2006-08-29
- All four V8RI exist to this day
-
3
Maserati V8RI (AutoWeek, 22 July 2002, reposted) Level C Rick Carey / AutoWeek
- 90 degree V8 force-fed from a front-mounted Roots-type supercharger
- early Weber dual choke carburetor
- front-mounted Roots-type supercharger
- making some 320hp
- torsion bar-sprung A-arms at the front
- swing axle rear suspension with leaf springs
-
4
Maserati V8RI at Indianapolis 1939 (Italian) Level D maserati-alfieri.co.uk
- Con 320 CV
- peso a secco, secondo la formula Grand Prix, attorno a 750 kg
-
5
Maserati Tipo V8RI gallery notes Level C maserati.org.au
- 4501 was converted to a rigid rear axle
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