The Maserati straight-eights that won two consecutive Indianapolis 500s (1939, 1940).
The 8CM (1933) was Maserati's monoposto Grand Prix car of the early 1930s, with a 2,991cc supercharged straight-eight. The 8CTF ('Otto Cilindri Testa Fissa') of 1938 was Maserati's serious answer to the German Silver Arrows — a 2,991cc twin-supercharged straight-eight producing around 365 bhp. Wilbur Shaw drove the 'Boyle Special' 8CTF to victory at the Indianapolis 500 in both 1939 and 1940 — Maserati remains the only foreign marque to have won consecutive Indy 500s. Only three 8CTFs were built.
Maserati's greatest pre-war racing achievement; the 8CTF is one of the most charismatic Grand Prix cars of the late 1930s.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8CM | 1933 | — | Early monoposto; 2,991cc supercharged eight. |
| 8CTF | 1938–1940 | 3 | Twin-supercharged Silver Arrow rival; Indy winner. |
For pre-war and vintage cars such as the Maserati 8CM / 8CTF, provenance is paramount. Chassis and engine number matching, period coachbuilder records, factory build sheets where available, continuous ownership documentation, original handbooks and any competition or concours history are the foundation of value. Period race history (Indy 500 cars are essentially priceless), continuous identity, Maserati Classiche documentation.
Twin-supercharged straight-eight; specialist rebuild only. A pre-purchase inspection by a recognised marque specialist should include compression and leak-down testing, magneto and ignition checks, chassis straightness and frame survey, axle and steering wear assessment, brake system review (mechanical or hydraulic per period), and an extended road test on varied terrain to expose carburation, cooling and gearbox issues that only emerge under sustained running.
Pre-war coachwork is rarely truly original after a century of use. Establish whether the body is original to the chassis (period photographs, build records, coachbuilder plates), whether it has been re-bodied at any point, and the standard of any restoration. Quality of timber framing, ash health, panel beating and paint depth are all critical. Concealed structural rot, re-bodies presented as original, and 'tribute' cars built on later or unrelated chassis must be priced accordingly.
Verified 8CTF (only three built) is essentially museum-grade; 8CM trades more openly though still rarely. For vintage cars, event eligibility — Mille Miglia, Goodwood Revival, Pebble Beach, VSCC events, Le Mans Classic — can underwrite a substantial proportion of market value. Verify FIA/FIVA papers, period race history where claimed, and the car's standing with the relevant marque registry before purchase.
Regional ranges authored independently — each reflects its local market, not an FX conversion
Vintage cars require disciplined preventive maintenance: lubrication regimes, magneto service, carburettor synchronisation, brake adjustment, and timber and trim conservation. A car used regularly and serviced annually by a specialist will outlast a stored example neglected for decades.
Tiny Maserati pre-war specialist network. Confirm the availability of marque specialists, period-correct fasteners, coachwork trim, instruments and tyres before committing. A car requiring fabricated one-off parts will absorb time and cost that a similar example with active specialist support will not.
Each region quoted in its local currency — independent market readings, not FX conversions
8CTF rarely trades; 8CM and other pre-war Maseratis trade privately or through major houses.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-08-16 | RM Sotheby's Monterey | 1934 8CM | — | $3,415,000 Sold |
Defining Maserati racing heritage; finite production.
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