There was a weird time in the racing world after World War II broke out in Europe, but hadn?t started in America yet. Racing, along with any sort of normal life, came to a screaming halt for Europeans, but until Pearl Harbor, America continued on like everything was going to be okay. Right in the middle of all this, an unlikely Italian Grand Prix car ended up in the hands of a young, Indiana hot shoe who ran it at the Indy 500 in May of 1939.
Rolling The Dice
The hot shoe in question was 27-year-old Wilbur Shaw, winner of the 1937 Indy 500 who was content to win it more than once. His ride, a Maserati 8CTF, was, to say the least, a bit of a gamble. Grand Prix cars then, as now, were technically-advanced, lighting-fast, and overall high-performing machines. However, they were only designed for races a couple of hours long. 500s of the period could last more than twice that amount, and the 1939 Indy 500 where Shaw’s Maserati debuted went for over four hours. It’s like asking Usain Bolt to run a marathon. Sure, he’s quick, but will he last"
Second Wind
On top of this, we’re talking about Maserati here. Mercurial doesn?t begin to describe the famed Italian car company’s history. Maserati always seemed to have two modes: on top of the world, or coming apart at the seams. Political infighting, drowning in debt, and (worst of all) failing to win races with slow, outmoded cars. Yet, in May of 1937, the Maserati brothers would get a another chance...