1952 - a twin hull racer sets world record in Rome, Italy

 

On a sunny 1952 day, this sci-fi looking vehicle was unloaded from a truck onto the Appian Way, south of Rome, Italy. It was powered by a standard Maserati four cylinder, 1720 cc with four forward speeds. Power from the motor was transmitted to the rear wheels by a chain drive, as in a motorcycle. The tail fins were adjustable. Driving it was Piero Taruffi, a renouned automotive engineer and car racer. On that day he broke the world's record for sports cars in the two-litres class, rolling up a 185-mph average.