'59 Maserati Tipo61 'Streamliner' Birdcage

[John Z. Goriup]

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It is generally believed that 22 'Birdcage' type Maserati race cars were produced ( it's worth emphasizing that Maserati is an Italian enterprise, who were in perpetual financial trouble in that time period, consequently most numbers and production data are anecdotal and not quite of archival accuracy ) but this unique car was the prototype 'Birdcage' which was later used as a back-up spare and test mule, and was modified to 2.9 liter Tipo 61 specs and rebodied for maximum speed at LeMans by Gentilini & Allegretti when an American team owner needed a car to contest the 24-hour race.

In the event it actually proved faster than the factory Ferrari Testa Rossas on top speed, but the dreaded Maserati reliability problems caught it out.

SL / 24-90 V.E.

JZG

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[John Z. Goriup]

A side view, showing the departure from the usual Kamm-style rear profile of the 'standard' birdcage models. As is usual with most Italian small-volume race cars of tghe period, no two are alike, depending on who worked on them, what the customers wanted and what was available.

SL / 24-90 V.E.

JZG

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[pedaes]

45 minutes ago, John Z. Goriup said:

A side view, showing the departure from the usual Kamm-style rear profile of the 'standard' birdcage models. As is usual with most Italian small-volume race cars of tghe period, no two are alike, depending on who worked on them, what the customers wanted and what was available.

SL / 24-90 V.E.

JZG

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

I have a superb 1/43rd hand-built model of this car

D-Lux 6