Maserati Type 61

Maserati Tipo 61
Aka	Maserati Birdcage
Manufacturer	Maserati
Production	1959-1961 16 units
Class	Race car
Body style	no-door, single seater racecar
Platform	FR
Chassis	Welded tubular latticework - Superleggera
Engine	2890.3 cc inline-four cylinder, Normally aspirated with two Weber 48 DC03 carburettors 187 kW (250 bhp) @ 6800 rpm
Transmission	5 speed manual
Suspension	Double wishbone front and rear
Length
Width
Height
Weight	600 kg
Wheelbase	2200 mm
Predecessor
Aka	Birdcage
Designer	Giulio Alfieri
Related	Maserati Birdcage 75th
Similar

The Maserati Tipo 61 (commonly referred to as the Maserati Birdcage) is one of the best known sports racing cars of the early 1960s. The car was produced between 1959 and 1961 by Maserati for racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance classic. It became famous for its intricate tubular space frame chassis, containing about 200 chro-moly steel tubes welded together, hence the nickname "Birdcage". This method of construction provided a more rigid and, at the same time, lighter chassis than other sports cars of the time. The Camoradi team became famous racing the Tipo 61's but, despite being faster round the track than other cars, the Birdcage was unreliable and often retired from races due to problems with the gearbox. The Maserati MC12 is available only in white and blue, to serve as a tribute to the Tipo 61 and the Camoradi racing team.

Racing History

The Tipo 61 was unveiled in 1959 when Stirling Moss won its first race, attracting the attention of Lloyd "Lucky" Casner. Casner founded the Casner Motor Racing Division who raced three Tipo 61's in the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Tipo's never won Le Mans due to reliability issues, however in both 1960 and 1961 the Camoradi team won the 1000 km Nürburgring.

The Birdcage Series

Maserati Tipo 61

In fact the Tipo 61 was the most notorious model of the serie but Giulio Alfieri designed 5 different models, all based on an intricate multitubular frame concept. All models included independent front wheels, de Dion rear axle, 4 disc brakes and 5 gear transmission.

Tipo 60 featured a small 2 liters 4 cylinder engine of 200hp, located in the front at a 45° angle for a weight of 570kg pushing the car at a max speed of 270km/h.

Tipo 61 featured a 2,9 liter 4 cylinder engine of 250hp, located in the front at a 45° angle for a weight of 600kg pushing the car at a speed of 285km/h.

Maserati Tipo 61

Tipo 63 featured the V 12 cylinder engine of 3 liters of the Formula one 250F located in the center of the car at a 60° angle.

Tipo 64 featured the V 12 cylinder engine (3 liters), still in the center of the car, in an upgraded frame (more of smaller lightalloy tubes) nicknamed "Supercage".

Tipo 65 featured a V 8 cylinder engine of 5 liters delivering about 430hp pushing the car at 350km/h in a "Supercage" frame.

Maserati Tipo 65

Revival

main article Maserati Birdcage 75th

The Maserati Birdcage 75th is a concept car to honour both the Birdcage and the 75th anniversary of Pininfarina. It features a 700 bhp V12 engine.