Maserati Tipo 61

The Maserati Tipo 60/61 is a racing sports car, the Officine Alfieri Maserati SpA built in Modena from 1959 to 1961 for customers. A plant use at racing events, there was not because of the tight economic situation at the time of the company. 22 vehicles were produced.

Construction

The cars as Maserati " Birdcage " ( " bird cage " ), an allusion to the unusual, only 30 kg heavy tubular frame by Giulio Alfieri, which consists of more than 200 wafer- thin steel tubes became known. With this construction, Maserati achieved a similar strength at a much more expensive monocoque. A special feature of this Maserati framework is that it can recognize the shape of the vehicle even without a body.

The hood of the "Bird Cage " is extremely flat, despite front-engine; for the four-cylinder is installed at an angle of 45 degrees so that the air flow is low, because of the tight enclosed front wheels and the rear spoiler lip.

The wheels ( wire wheels ) are the front hung on double wishbones with coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers, rear a De Dion axle with a transverse leaf spring and telescopic shock absorbers is installed. The car has disc brakes (produced by Maserati, designed by Girling ) on all four wheels.

Specifications

Sporting successes

With this car, the Italian brand dominated the beginning of the 1960s the race, especially in the USA, where the name Maserati with teams like Camoradi ( Casner Motor Racing Division ) and Cunningham is connected. Among other races, the Maserati Tipo 61 won twice the 1,000 km race at the Nürburgring: 1960 won Stirling Moss / Gurney in 7:31.40,5 h = 133.2 km / h; 1961 Gregory / Casner in 7:51.39,2 h = 127.6 km / h