Maserati Tipo 26B

Maserati Tipo 26B
1928 Maserati Tipo 26B Monoposto (chassis no. 33/2515)
Overview
ManufacturerMaserati
Production1927-1930[1]
AssemblyBologna, Italy
DesignerAlfieri Maserati
Body and chassis
ClassRace car
LayoutFR layout
RelatedTipo 26B MM
Powertrain
Engine2.0 litre supercharged I8
Transmission4-speed manual[2]
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,650 mm (104 in) (2,580 mm (102 in) since 1928)[2]
Curb weight720-780 kg
Chronology
PredecessorMaserati Tipo 26
SuccessorMaserati Tipo 26M
Maserati Tipo V4

The Maserati Tipo 26B or Maserati Tipo 26B Monoposto was a racing car built by Italian manufacturer Maserati between 1927 and 1930, in a total of six examples and one additional engine.[2]

It was closely derived from the Tipo 26 with the same steel ladder-type frame and a similar aluminum two-seater bodywork.[2] The main difference was in the straight-eight engine being enlarged to 2 litres, otherwise it still featured a crankshaft-driven Roots supercharger, twin gear-driven overhead camshafts and dry sump lubrication.[2] The Tipo 26's 1492.9 cc engine had its bore and stroke upped by 2 and 16 mm, respectively, increasing displacement to 1980.5 cc. The engine's dimensions were now 62 by 82 mm. Two engines were bored out further, to 2.1 litres.[1]

The Tipo 26B was conceived primarily for open road racing since its engine didn't comply with the 1926-1927 Grand Prix formula which required a maximum displacement of 1.5 litres.

At its debut race in the 1927 Targa Florio the Maserati Tipo 26B driven by Alfieri Maserati finished third overall.[3]

A Tipo 26B was classified 12th in the 1930 Indianapolis 500 race, driven by Letterio Cucinotta of Messina.[1]

  1. ^ a b c "Maserati Tipo 26B". Maserati. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e Tabucchi, Maurizio (2003). Nel segno del Tridente [Under the sign of the Trident] (in Italian). Giorgio Nada Editore. ISBN 9788879112598.
  3. ^ "18° Targa Florio 1927". Targapedia. Retrieved 23 February 2014.