1960 Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage

The 1950s marked a successful era for Maserati in motorsport; however, this success was accompanied by significant financial challenges. The costs associated with developing competitive vehicles proved to be a struggle in terms of maintaining profitability. In 1957, the team made the decision to withdraw from factory-supported racing, but not before delivering a final tribute to the Modena manufacturer, providing a suitable conclusion to an illustrious competitive history.

Rather than focusing on the development of a completely new engine or producing expensive V-12 vehicles in significant numbers, Maserati chose to refine the two-liter four-cylinder engine that originated from the 200S sports car. This strategy was financially advantageous and allowed Maserati to create a new sports car tailored for its loyal clientele. The engine was equipped with a redesigned head, which included the relocation of the intake and exhaust ports.

Maserati engineer Giulio Alfieri developed an innovative chassis featuring a lattice structure composed of small-diameter tubing, measuring between 10 to 15mm. This design was both lightweight and rigid, weighing just under 70 pounds. Initially designated as the Type 60, the chassis later earned the nickname 'Birdcage' due to its distinctive tubular framework. Alfieri also fitted voluptuous factory bodywork over the space-frame chassis, while the engine was positioned at a 45-degree angle to achieve a lower profile. This unique engine orientation necessitated the creation of a completely new triangular sump. To further minimize weight at the front wheels, the five-speed gearbox was integrated with the differential. The rear suspension utilized a deDion configuration with transverse leaf springs, while the front suspension featured double-wishbones equipped with coil springs.

In May of 1959, Stirling Moss was tasked with putting the car through its paces and performing a series of tests. The welds were unable to handle the rigid frame and began to crack. Alfieri's solution was to replace the chrome steel with cheaper steel that would have more flex and bend.

The prototype Type 60 was chassis number 2451. Once again Stirling Moss was tasked with driving duties on its inaugural debut with factory sponsorship at the Coupe Delamare Debauteville on July 12, 1959, where he finished in 1st place overall. Experiments with larger displacement engines followed, resulting in the three-liter Tipo 61 cars, which began delivery to customers in November of 1959. At least one Tipo 60 example was eventually upgraded to Tipo 61 specification. A total of 22 total examples were produced between 1959 and early 1961. Customer deliveries of the T61s to the United States began in October of 1959 beginning with chassis number 2453, and shortly followed by 2455, driven by Gaston Andrey at the Governor's Race at Nassau in the Bahamas on December 6th of 1959. That was the first opportunity for Lloyd Casner to witness the T61 (at this point, an owner of T60 chassis number 2451). Lloyd 'Lucky' Casner's Camoradi team (the Casner Motor Racing Division (abbreviated as the Camoradi team)) would eventually account for no fewer than five Birdcage orders (including the factory prototype 2451 and 2458, 2461, and 2464)

Maserati introduced the Tipo 63 in 1961. It had the spaceframe chassis but with a much different configuration. The engine now rested behind the cockpit, and although mid-engine placement was becoming more common than the front-engine layout, the Tipo 63 did not perform as well. The earlier Tipo 60 and Tipo 61 had near-perfect weight distribution, which was not achieved with the Tipo 63.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2020