The Maserati 8CTF was the first Italian car to win the Indianapolis 500, it won in 1939 and 1940. After the War, and in financial difficulty, Maserati was invited to build another race winning car by two wealthy Italian racing drivers; Francesco Rol and Giuseppe Farina Even though, many existing parts were used, both the engine and chassis were new. The eight cylinder engine was developed from the recently released four cylinder 4CLT (two 1500cc 4 cylinder engines bolted together), the old 8CTF chassis was a ladder frame, the 8CLT, tubular. Both Italian drivers withdrew from the project to concentrate on Formula 1 leaving Maserati stuck with the two race cars. After sitting for a few years, New Zealander, Fred Zambucka bought both the cars in 1955 and shipped them back to New Zealand to race. They both raced in the 1956 New Zealand Grand Prix. Engine; 430hp 2981cc eight cylinder, twin superchargers.