WSC60 Maserati 151/3

3d Model design by: DobriD, updated by Gadu

The Maserati Tipo 151 was one of those cars which never quite came good in period, despite demonstrating devastating pace. At Le Mans the car had no trouble getting into the lead of the race and is believed to be the first car ever to crack the 300kph barrier along the Mulsanne Straight, but a lack of investment as well as a shortcoming in the luck department meant that it’s great speed was never converted into winners laurels.

The Tipo 151 marked a return to more traditional concepts of car design and used a frame comprising a trellis of both round and oval large tubes, an independent front suspension and a De Dion axle which was modified to act like a swing-arm axle. The V8 engine was derived from the 450S, with changes including four gear-driven camshafts, a dry sump lubrication system and four Weber 45 IDMs carburettors.

The aluminium body was designed by Giulio Alfieri and refined using a wind tunnel at Milan University. It was reminiscent of the Frank Costin designed Zagato bodied 450S, but with an accentuated Kamm Tail, jokingly called the 'racing van' for its unique new body design. The mandatory doors opened halfway up the side due to the longitudinal tubes of the frame and the lateral fuel tanks. The chassis was designed by Giorgio Molinari while the suspension was designed by Gianpaolo Dallara who had recently joined Maserati.

Early testing revealed handling problems which were solved by adding a homokinetic joint to the suspension system suggested by Bruce McLaren, one of the drivers of the Cunningham team. There were also ventilation problems and excessive rear tyre wear which were never resolved because of lack of proper testing due to the cars being completed shortly before the Le Mans race.

The Maserati France car was sent to the factory for revision for the 1963 Le Mans event. Improvements included a 4,941 cc engine derived from the 5000 GT but with single ignition and Lucas indirect injection rated at 430 hp (321 kW). The car was renumbered as 151 003. The car was campaigned in the 1963 season but retired after a transmission failure.

For 1964, the changes included a new 37 inch tall body designed by Piero Drogo (built by Allegretti), a lengthened chassis, a wider track and a switch to dry sump lubrication for the engine, reducing the power output to 410 hp (306 kW). It performed well during the race recording a top speed of 310.0 km/h (192.6 mph) on the Mulsanne Straight but retired after 99 laps due to electrical and braking issues.