One of the most interesting Maseratis ever constructed, the sole surviving Tipo 151 (chassis 006), will compete in this year’s Le Mans Legends event on Saturday June 22, 2013. This annual support race at the Le Mans 24 Hours is the jewel in the crown of the historic motorsport calendar, and this year marks the Maserati’s return to Le Circuit de la Sarthe after an absence of five decades. In mid-September, the car is also scheduled to compete at the Goodwood Revival.
The Maserati’s engine and transmission have been prepared by Virkler & Bartlett LLC of Chatham, Virginia. V&B is also responsible for constructing the car’s clutch, exhaust and electrical systems as well as the starter motor and oil tank.
Based in Modena in northern Italy, Maserati originally built three Tipo 151 cars to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1962. Chassis 002 was allocated to the Maserati France importer, John Simone, while 004 and 006 were delivered to Briggs Cunningham, the American racing driver, racecar constructor and team owner.
Driving the car dubbed “Le Monstre” by spectators for its brutish design, drivers Dick Thompson and Bill Kimberly succeeded in getting 006 into 2nd place before brake failure caused a race-ending accident. After Le Mans, the Cunningham cars were transported to America where 004 was destroyed at Daytona during a practice run for the American Challenge Cup race (See VR April 2013).
The Simone car (002) remained in Europe, and at Le Mans in 1964, when driven by F1 drivers André Simon and Maurice Trintignant, it recorded a speed of 196 mph. The car ran as high as 3rd, but was forced to retire during the night with a variety of ailments, mainly electrical troubles.
Impressed by the Maserati’s remarkable speed, Simone planned its entry for the 1965 event, adapting it for a new 450 hp 5-liter engine, larger fuel tank and redesigned suspension, but its most visually striking feature was a new streamlined body developed by Pierre Drogo.
Tragically, ten weeks before Le Mans the car was destroyed and driver Lloyd “Lucky” Casner killed in an accident near the end of the Mulsanne Straight while testing in the rain.
Chassis 006 was owned by several American enthusiasts before being acquired by Peter Kaus’ Rosso Bianco collection, where it languished for several decades. Now restored to original condition, 006, the sole surviving Tipo 151, will now run at Le Mans for the first time in 51 years.
By Archie Bosman
