The flying mantuan

Maserati 8CM Monoposto Grand Prix car

Tazio Nuvolari and the Maserati 8CM

Tazio Nuvolari won more than 150 races, including 24 Grands Prix, 2 Mille Miglias, and Le Mans.

"I LIKE TO DRIVE BUT I DONT LIKE TO TALK" - TAZIO NUVOLARI

1933 Belgian Grand Prix

Tazio Nuvolari bought the Maserati 8CM Monoposto in 1933 from Raymond Sommer. That same year he had the chassis reinforced at the Belgian car manufacturer Imperia and prepared the car for the Grand Prix championship. Although he raced for Scuderia Ferrari in 1933, he took part in the Belgian Grand Prix that year in the Maserati. He started far back on the grid, but after 1 lap he was already in the lead and held that position. The Bugattis of Varzi and Dreyfus finished second and third respectively.

The Flying Mantuan

Tazio Nuvolari, from the Italian village of Mantova, was also The Flying Mantuan called and in his time was, for many, the best racing driver in the world. “The greatest of the past, the present and the future,” according to Ferdinand Porsche. Even though his career was interrupted by the Second World War, Nuvolari won more than 150 races, including 24 Grands Prix, two Mille Miglia and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He not only ranked among the best drivers ever to have raced, he was also one of the bravest. Countless broken bones, cuts and burns rarely kept him out of the cockpit for long.

A dull ending

His greatest wish was to die in a racing car. But because of his exceptional talent, this wish was never fulfilled. The 'Flying Mantuan' passed away in 1953 at the age of 61 in his bed. In Mantova you will find the Museo Tazio Nuvolari, where his life is literally laid out on display.

Maserati 8CM Monoposto Grand Prix Car

Three famous racing drivers have driven this first single seater from Maserati: Nuvolari, Taruffi and Sommer. After Nuvolari won the Belgian Grand Prix with it, the car was sold on to Piero Taruffi. He took third place with it in the Coppa Acerbo. Due to changes in the regulations, the car was later entered in the South African Grand Prix in 1937 and 1938. In 1988 the Maserati was acquired by the Louwman Museum and the rest is history.