Maserati 4CL and 4CLT - The 4CLT

The 4CLT

Maserati 4CLT
Category Voiturette / Formula One
Constructor Maserati
Designer(s) Ernesto Maserati
Alberto Massimino
Vittorio Bellentani
Arialdo Ruggieri
Technical specifications
Chassis Light alloy tubular ladder
Suspension (front) Independent, coil springs and hydraulic dampers
Suspension (rear) Live axle, leaf springs and hydraulic dampers
Axle track F: 1,250 mm (49.2 in)
R: 1,200 mm (47.2 in)
Wheelbase 2,500 mm (98.4 in)
Engine Maserati 1491 cc straight-4, two-stage supercharger, front-mounted
Transmission Maserati 4-speed manual
Tyres Pirelli / Ernesto / Dunlop
Competition history
Notable entrants Officine Alfieri Maserati
Scuderia Platé
Scuderia Ambrosiana
Scuderia Achille Varzi
Automóvil Club Argentino
Scuderia Milano
Notable drivers Luigi Villoresi
Reg Parnell
Toulo de Graffenried
Juan Manuel Fangio
Louis Chiron
B. Bira
Harry Schell
Giuseppe Farina
Debut 1948 Sanremo Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles Fastest laps
18
0
5

Chassis and engine changes made to the experimental 4CLs eventually coalesced into the 4CLT, the appended T denoting its tubular chassis. The improvements in torsional rigidity that the tubular construction brought were required to counteract the increases in torque and power resulting from the twin-supercharger upgrade of the elderly inline-4 engine. Power was up to approximately 260 bhp (194 kW), from the 4CL's 220. Other changes included the use of roller bearings for the crankshaft, forged (rather than cast) rear suspension components, and the chassis was designed to run with hydraulic dampers from the outset.

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