Maserati Tipo 26

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Maserati Tipo 26
Overview
ManufacturerMaserati
Production1926-1932[1]
AssemblyBologna, Italy
DesignerAlfieri Maserati
Body and chassis
ClassRace car
LayoutFR layout
RelatedMaserati Tipo 26B
Powertrain
Engine1.5 L s/c I8
Transmission3-speed manual (4-speed since 1927)[2]
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,650 mm (104 in) (2,580 mm (102 in) since 1928)[2]
Curb weight720-780 kg
Chronology
SuccessorMaserati 4CM

The Maserati Tipo 26 was a model of Grand Prix racing car and was the first car built by Italian manufacturer Maserati, for a total of 11 examples, between 1926 and 1932.[2]

The Tipo 26 originated from a Grand Prix car that Alfieri Maserati had designed for Diatto: when the collaboration between Maserati and Diatto ended, Alfieri took his design to the Bologna workshop that he had set up with his brothers in 1914.[3]

A Tipo 26 at Circuito di Bologna on 19 June 1927.

The design of the Tipo 26 consisted of a steel ladder-type frame supporting a supercharged inline-eight engine displacing 1.5 L (1,492.9 cc), with a bore and stroke of 60 mm × 66 mm (2.36 in × 2.60 in), with a three-speed manual transmission and aluminium two-seater bodywork made by Medardo Fantuzzi.[2][3]

The engine featured a crankshaft-driven Roots supercharger, twin gear-driven overhead camshafts and dry sump lubrication;[2] to comply with the 1926 Grand Prix regulations the displacement was fixed to 1.5-litres.[3]

At its debut race in the 1926 Targa Florio, the Maserati Tipo 26, with Alfieri Maserati driving and a young Guerino Bertocchi as riding mechanic, finished first in the Grand Prix class and ninth overall.[1]

Technical Data[edit]

Tipo 26 T26 T26B T26R T26C T26M
Engine:  Front mounted 8-cylinder in-line engine
displacement 1493 cm³ 1981 cm³ 1691 cm³ 1079 cm³ 2495 cm³
Bore x stroke:  60 x 66 mm 62 x 82 mm 62 x 70 mm 51 x 66 mm 65 x 94 mm
Max power at rpm:  128 hp at 6 000 rpm 155 hp at 5 300 rpm 140 hp at 6 500 rpm 105 hp at 6 000 rpm 185 hp at 5 600 rpm
Valve control:  2 overhead camshafts, 2 valves per cylinder
Compression 5.8:1 5,6:1 5.5:1
Carburetor Simple Weber
Upload Roots compressor
Gearbox 4-speed manual 3-speed manual 4-speed manual
suspension  :  Stiff axles, longitudinal leaf springs
Brakes Mechanical drum brakes
Chassis & body Box beam frame with aluminum body
Wheelbase 258 cm 275 cm
Dry weight 720 kg 800 kg 820 kg
Top speed:  200 km/h 210 km/h 200 km/h 185 km/h 235 km/h

Tipo 26 MM[edit]

For the 1928 Mille Miglia endurance race, two new chassis were fitted with roadster bodies featuring cycle wings, running boards, doors, headlights, a small windshield, a folding canvas top and two spare wheels mounted on the tail. Under the hood the engines were the same as found in the Tipo 26 Grand Prix. Those cars were known as Tipo 26 MM.[2][4]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Maserati Tipo 26". Maserati. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Tabucchi, Maurizio (2003). Nel segno del Tridente (in Italian). Giorgio Nada Editore. ISBN 9788879112598.
  3. ^ a b c "Maserati Tipo 26". Supercars.net Publishing. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  4. ^ "Maserati Tipo 26 MM". Maserati. Retrieved 22 February 2014.