Maserati
Tipo 61 "Birdcage"
The Maserati RACE
Car Gallery
Tipo 61 Gallery
Specifications
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Notes
Responding to demands by Moss and from US
customers for a 3.0 litre version, the maximum displacement that could be
achieved from the block of the Type 60 was 2890 cc. The first car was
the prototype Type 60 into which the engine was transplanted. Slight
modifications were made by strengthening the gearbox and the De Dion axle
and a more robust crankshaft and rods. Externally a slight difference
arose due to the use of larger carburettors and a less inclined position
creating a slightly larger bulge. At Le Mans in 1960 the small weight
increase of the Type 60 was exaggerated by the addition of long aerodynamic
tails, supplementary lighting and other accessories, nonetheless the cars
were lighter than their rivals and as meagre on fuel as the Porsches.
Campaigned aggressively by the Camoradi team they became well known particularly
in the US where they had great success. Only one unusual
vehicle in this otherwise standard design stands out and that is the car
formerly used by Casner which following his accident at Le Mans in 1961 was
radically modified by Piero Drogo. The result was a totally different
exterior with a pointed body with air scoops in the lower nose and an
independent rear suspension by eliminating the De Dion axle. With the move
to rear engines, the Type 61's time approached.
Tipo
61 with sports body fitted by Piero Drago to the Type 61 driven by Casner
at Le Mans in 1961
Tipo 61
of Hartmut Bing at Goodwood, 1999
Tipo 61
of Nick Mason at Goodwood, 1999
Tipo
61 of Robert Brooks at Goodwood, 1999
Tipo
61 (#2453) built in 1959 for Edwin Martin and according to factory records
destroyed (?) in that year. Photograph with the permission of
Barchetta
Tipo
61 (#2453)
Tipo
61 (#2453)
Tipo
61 (#2457) Produced for Dave Causey (USA) in 1960 and then transformed
into a road version in 1961. Photographs with permission of Barchetta
Tipo
61 (#2457) photographs taken at the Ferrari Maserati Challenge
Tipo
61 (#2457)
Tipo
61 (#2457)
Tipo
61 (#2461) built for the Camoradi Team in 1960, then driven by Alan
Connell (USA) from October of that year.
Tipo
61 (#2461)
Tipo
61
Tipo
61
Tipo
61 courtesy of Enrico's pages
Tipo
61 courtesy of Enrico's pages
Tipo
61 in action in the USA
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CROMER VIC 3193 AUSTRALIA