Taruffi Italcorsa/tarf Ii

'Bisiluro' is Italian for 'double torpedo', and based on that principle the Italian racing driver and engineer Piero Taruffi (1906-1988) builds the record cars Tarf I and this Tarf II.

The first one, built in 1948, broke six records in the 500 cc class and two in the 1500 cc class. Tarf II was designed in 1951. It was powered by a 1.7 litre 290 hp supercharged Maserati engine and achieved a top speed of just under 300 km/h on the flying kilometre and flying mile, held on the Via Appia near Rome. In later years the car broke records over longer distances at the Montlhéry (France) and Monza (Italy) circuits. It was an experimental vehicle and over the years was modified frequently; various engines were used, including Ferrari units. In the case of Tarf I the driver sits on the left, in Tarf II on the right. The engine is mounted in the driverless ‘torpedo’. As there is no room for a steering wheel in the Tarf II, control sticks are used instead. The rear wheels are chain-driven. Adjustable rudders compensate for any side winds.