The Maserati Tipo V4 represents a significant milestone in the history of the company. This was partly due to several speed records that were set together with Mario Umberto Borzacchini. In addition, the built-in technology is extremely innovative. However, despite all these advantages and successes, the Maserati Tipo 4 also has many downsides. Some of them are anything but harmless for the driver...
Mario Umberto "Baconìn" Borzacchini sets world speed record
Modena, October 1, 2019 - It was on September 28, 1929, when Mario Umberto "Baconìn" Borzacchini set the world speed record for the 10-kilometre flying start at the wheel of his Maserati Tipo V4. The racing car celebrated its premiere on September 15, when Alfieri Maserati drove it to sixth place in the Monza Grand Prix. Two weeks later and before the Circuito di Cremona race, the "Giornata dei Record", a timed race over a distance of 10 kilometers, was organized.
The event took place on the national road no. 10 from Padania to Inferiore, which at the time was still a state highway but is now managed by the province. Coming from Cremona, it leads northeast over a dead straight stretch of 17 kilometers. The starting point was the town hall of Gadesco Pieve Delmona. The finish was 10 kilometers away, in Sant'Antoni d'Anniata, a small village near Pessina Cremonese. An additional 3 kilometers were available for the flying start and the holding area.
World record in the C-Class at 247.933 km/h
According to the international rules, the route had to be driven twice, once in each direction. The average of the two times was calculated for the record attempt. Borzacchini completed the uphill section in 2:25:20/100, which corresponds to an average speed of 247.933 km/h. For the downhill section, he needed two seconds longer with 2:27:40/100 and thus achieved an average speed of 244.233 km/h. The total time was therefore 2:26:30/100. That was an average speed of 246.069 km/h and the world record in Class C (3,000 - 5,000 cc). An outstanding performance by Mario "Baconìn" Borzacchini. He beat the previous world record set by Ernest Eldridge in Montlhéry in 1927 with a time of 2:29:45/100 and a speed of 225.776 km/h.
Exclusive gala dinner with no less exclusive company
To celebrate the extraordinary success, the Automobile Club of Bologna organized a gala dinner to which the city's top dignitaries, the drivers and Enzo Ferrari were invited. The latter took the opportunity to convince Alfredo Caniato and Mario Tadini, two wealthy businessmen from the Emilia region, to create a racing team that would henceforth bear his name.
A significant milestone
With its outstanding innovations, the Maserati Tipo V4 was a significant milestone for Maserati. The aim was to create a huge powerhouse with two identical in-line eight-cylinder engines. To achieve this, two Tipo 26B engines were mounted side by side and connected via two crankshafts in a common crankshaft housing.
The origin of the type designation "Tipo V4"
The name Maserati Tipo V4 refers to the arrangement of the cylinder banks, which were inclined at an angle of 25°, and the engine capacity of 4 liters. Each of the two rows of cylinders had its own magneto ignition, its own carburetor with compressor and its own crankshaft, resulting in a total output of more than 280 hp.
Some serious flaws despite its extra class status
In order to withstand the massive power of the drive, the body had to be specially reinforced. This consisted of C-profile spars from series production. The four-speed gearbox was equipped with a single cardan shaft, which led to the rigid rear axle with a suspension of semi-elliptical springs. However, the extremely rapid tire wear and the inadequate braking system, which were due to the immense power and not inconsiderable weight of the car, could not be remedied on this top-class racing car.
