Maserati Race Cars

1. 1956 Maserati 300S

Remembered as one of the finest handling front-engined race cars ever made.

The 1955 World Sportscar Champions Mercedes-Benz had pulled their motorsport operations permanently leaving Maserati as Ferrari’s only real challengers in 1956. The opportunity was too good to miss. While the bored and stroked 6-cylinder 250F-engined 300S was good for 260 bhp in full race trim and had competed in 1955, Maserati was once again overwhelmed with retirements. With only one win in ’55 with Fangio at the wheel, it was clear modifications were necessary to keep up with the more powerful competition.

A longer and more streamlined nose designed to reduce drag proved to contribute to a better season for the 300S in 1956. Stirling Moss and local Argentine hero Carlos Menditeguy won the season opener and Moss repeated the feat with Jean Behra at the Nürburgring. Unable to keep up with Ferrari for the final three rounds they ultimately settled for second in the Championship.

Underneath its sculpted, aerodynamic bodywork, the Maserati 300S was powered by a robust 3.0-liter straight-six engine, capable of producing around 245 horsepower. This might not sound overwhelming by today’s standards, but in its day, it was a powerhouse and the engine's sophisticated design, featuring dual overhead camshafts and Weber carburetors, was a marvel of engineering that provided the 300S with its legendary performance and reliability on the track.

The 300S's racing pedigree is highlighted by its remarkable success in competition. It achieved numerous victories and podium finishes in some of the era's most prestigious races, including the grueling Mille Miglia, the Targa Florio, and the 1000km Nürburgring. Its prowess on the track was not solely due to its powerful engine; the 300S also boasted superior handling and braking performance, a testament to Maserati's holistic approach to engineering. The car's lightweight tubular frame, paired with its well-balanced chassis and responsive steering, allowed drivers to navigate the twists and turns of the world's most challenging circuits with confidence and agility.

Overall, the 300S was a commercial success for Maserati, which managed to sell over two dozen to customers. Today, the 300S is remembered as one of the finest handling front-engined sports cars ever made and remains one of the most desirable cars from the period.

2. 1960 Tipo 61 Birdcage

Hall, Shelby, Gurney, Gregory and Stirling Moss all had success in Tipo 61.

In the late fifties, income from Maserati’s successful 3500GT meant they could develop racing cars like the Maserati Tipo 61 again. Engineer Giulio Alfieri took the tubular spaceframe design in sports cars to the limit with the Tipo 60 in 1959. The design became known as the ‘Birdcage’ for its intricate tube-frame structure. The Maserati Tipo 60 represented a revolution in sports car design. It was built for privateers competing in sports car racing in the 2-litre category, replacing the 200S model. By the late 1950s, many British car manufacturers were moving towards innovative and expensive monocoque structures as opposed to the traditional ladder frame chassis. Chief engineer Giulio Alfieri, who had limited funds since Maserati was still recovering from a difficult economic situation, had to come up with something truly innovative to compete.

And this was exactly what he did: He created a space frame made of approximately 200 small-section tubes, arranged in triangular formations and reinforced in high-stress areas. The result was an extremely light construction that offered exceptional torsional rigidity at the same time. A partly similar solution was already experimented in the latest evolutions of the 250F Formula 1 car. The Tipo 60’s engine was mounted well behind the front axle and tilted 45° to the right to lower the centre of gravity and keep the bonnet line low. The transaxle transmission derived from the one used in the 250F. Front suspensions were independent, while a De Dion axle was used at the rear. Telescopic dampers and disc brakes were used all round. Steering was done by means of a modern rack-and-pinion type steering box.

As it is often the case when innovations push the current boundaries, the Tipo 60 received its fair part of criticism when it appeared in the racing scene. The car was purposely designed for the new sports car era of the 1960s, representing a shift from the great endurance races held on public roads such as the Mille Miglia, by then a thing of the past, to the race tracks and closed street circuits. The nimble Tipo 60 had little in common with the robust sports cars of the 1950s, and had lost any resemblance to the original idea of the road car used for participating in racing. The Tipo 60’s extremely low body line and high protruding wheel arches gave it a somewhat odd look. The windscreen, that had to comply with minimal dimensions by technical regulations, was inclined so far backward that it hardly offered any wind protection to the driver. Instead, it offered a look on the groundbreaking chassis design. The car soon received its nickname Birdcage, even though it was never officially named that way.

The success of the 2-litre Tipo 60 on the Italian home market, and the suggestion by factory driver Stirling Moss that the chassis could easily handle more power, led to the introduction of the Tipo 61 for international 3-litre regulations. The cars dominated the hill climb scene during the early 1960s, and scored many important victories including two overall wins at the Nurburgring 1000kms by Lloyd Casner’s Camoradi racing team.

3. 1938 Maserati 8CTF

In 1939, won the Indy500, the next year the car won the Indy 500 again.

In failing to hold a candle to the competition in Europe, Maserati forged their own legend in America with 8CTF. Definitely one of the best racing Maseratis of all time.

The 1938 Maserati 8CTF is a jewel in the crown of pre-war Grand Prix racing, representing one of the most technologically advanced and competitive racing machines of its era. Born out of Maserati's ambition to challenge and defeat the best in international motor racing, the 8CTF was a masterpiece of engineering, combining speed, power, and beauty in a way few cars of its time could.

At the heart of the Maserati 8CTF was its powerful engine, a supercharged 3.0-liter straight-eight that was a marvel of its time. This engine was capable of producing an impressive 365 horsepower, a significant figure that made it one of the most potent racers on the circuit. The powerplant featured two overhead camshafts and was fed by a Roots-type supercharger, a setup that provided a tremendous boost in performance, propelling the 8CTF to speeds that were extraordinary for the late 1930s.

The chassis of the 8CTF was equally innovative. Maserati employed a sophisticated suspension system that included independent front suspension and a live rear axle, which, when combined with its lightweight construction, offered exceptional handling and stability at high speeds. This was critical for navigating the high-speed corners and demanding circuits of the Grand Prix calendar.

One of the most notable achievements of the 8CTF was its success at the Indianapolis 500, a race that was, at the time, part of the European Championship. In 1939 and 1940, the car, affectionately nicknamed the "Boyle Special" after its American owner, Mike Boyle, was driven to victory by Wilbur Shaw. These back-to-back victories at Indianapolis were a testament to the 8CTF's superior design and performance, marking it as the first European car to win the prestigious race since its inception. Shaw's victories not only cemented the 8CTF's place in motorsport history but also marked the last wins by a foreign manufacturer at the Indy 500 for several decades.

Louis Unser – hill climb legend and patriarch of the Unser racing dynasty – took the 8CTF to the merciless dirt tracks of Pikes Peak, winning the event with fastest times in both 1946 and 1947.

4. 1954 Maserati 250F

It was built for F1 driving, and was a winning machine for Stirling Moss.

Conjure an image of 1950s F1 and you might well picture the Maserati 250F. Elegant yet functional, the 220bhp, straight-six 250F was built to the new naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre Grand Prix regulation of 1954. It proved fast straight out of the box in the hands of Argentine icon Juan Manuel Fangio. His two wins in Argentina and Belgium – before moving on to Mercedes – helped secure his second Championship. Whilst the 250F lived in the shadow of Mercedes and Ferrari over the next three years, it was not unusual for championship grids to be filled with Maseratis and privateers even managed wins in non-championship races. Among the successful 250F drivers of this period was Stirling Moss, who described the car as the best of any front-engined F1 cars of the period and even preferred to use a 250F when not driving for Mercedes. Stirling once recalled the 250F: “inclined towards stable oversteer which one could exploit by balancing it against power and steering in long sustained drifts through corners”.

By 1956 with Mercedes out of F1, the Moss/Maserati partnership yielded a revered win at Monaco: they led the whole race, finally – but only momentarily – halting the charge of Fangio and Ferrari. The season was taken ultimately by the Prancing Horse and their Argentine star, but not before Maserati and Moss gave them another run for their money at their home Grand Prix at Monza.

Behind the scenes, Maserati was struggling. 1957 was the last time they fielded a works racing team: but what a glorious exit from F1. Following Moss’ move to Vanwall, Fangio returned to Maserati, whose 250F had been overhauled with a new V12 engine and a stiffer chassis. While new, the 12-cylinder gave no advantage over the previous year’s lightweight 6-cylinder models. Not one to lie down, Fangio won his final World Championship in a hard-fought three-way battle between Maserati, Ferrari and Vanwall.

This final hurrah came after a legendary win at the Nürburgring. Fangio overcame a 48-second gap in twenty-two laps, somehow passing race leader and Brit Mike Hawthorn on the last lap, breaking the lap record ten times in the process. A glorious end to the Maserati factory team and as a result privateers continued running the 250F until 1960 when the rise of rear-engined racers finally rendered it obsolete.

5. 1958 420M/58 (Eldorado)

You have this car to thank for team ads thanks to its Eldorado sponsorship.

Even though officially withdrawn from racing, Maserati was commissioned by ice cream company Eldorado Sud in 1958 for a car to compete in the second edition of the Race of Two Worlds. This 500-mile race was organised in an attempt to bring the European and American racing cultures together again, and the renewed Monza track with its high-speed oval was the ideal location for the event that hosted American single-seaters in Europe.

Maserati purpose-built the 420M/58, often simply called the Eldorado after its sponsor, for this race. The engine was derived from the unit used in the 450S sports car, with its capacity reduced to 4.2 litres to meet the Indycar technical regulations. Equipped with four twin-choke Webers, it produced so much power and torque that a two-speed gearbox sufficed; first gear was only used to take off from the pits. The final drive was solid and the typical Borrani wire wheels where replaced by Hallibrand alloys to cope with the high cornering forces typical of oval racing. The Eldorado used a modified version of the 250F chassis, in which the engine was offset to the left to improve balance when driving on a banking. A vertical stabilising fin was added, no luxury given its top speed of more than 350km/h.

Maserati’s former works driver Stirling Moss was signed up for the job, and even though the Americans had again the upper hand, he proved to be the quickest of the European entries. Unfortunately, the steering broke at 250km/h and Moss was lucky to walk away unhurt from what he later described as the scariest motor racing accident of his career.

The damaged car was rebuilt in the view of entering it in the 1959 Indy 500 race. Its body was modified and finished in red but still sporting the Eldorado sponsoring. The car was shipped to the U.S.A. and entered privately by Eldorado Racing. Sadly, problems related to fuel pick-up prevented it from qualifying for the race. The car was later fully restored to its original condition and is today part of the Umberto Panini Collection.

6. 2004 Maserati MC12

One of the greatest GT racers of its era and showed that Maserati still knows how to win.

The Maserati MC12 Competizione emerged onto the racing scene in the mid-2000s, quickly establishing itself as a formidable force in GT racing. This masterpiece of automotive engineering was Maserati’s return ticket to international motorsport, following a long hiatus, and it did so with a thunderous roar. Based on the chassis of the Ferrari Enzo, a marvel in its own right, the MC12 was reengineered with a focus on endurance racing. Its creation marked a pivotal moment for Maserati, showcasing the brand's commitment to reclaiming its storied position in the world of high-stakes motorsport.

Powered by a 6.0-liter V12 engine that unleashed over 620 horsepower, the MC12 Competizione was a beast on the track, capable of reaching dizzying speeds while maintaining the agility and stability needed for the twists and turns of GT racing circuits. Its engine was a masterpiece of power and precision, providing a harmonious blend of raw force and refined control that allowed it to compete at the highest levels of racing.

What set the MC12 apart was not just its impressive powertrain but also its aerodynamic design. Every curve and contour of the MC12 was meticulously crafted to cut through the air with minimal resistance, while its wide stance and ground-hugging profile ensured exceptional handling and grip. This combination of speed, power, and agility allowed the MC12 to dominate its competitors on the racetrack.

The MC12's racing credentials are solidified by its remarkable track record, with numerous victories and podium finishes in the FIA GT Championship. Its dominance was most notable in the 2005 season, where it secured the Constructors’ Championship, a testament to its superior design and performance. The MC12 was not just winning races; it was rewriting the rules of GT racing, setting new standards for performance and engineering excellence.

The legacy of the Maserati MC12 Competizione extends beyond its racing achievements. It represented a significant moment in automotive history, where passion, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of victory converged to create one of the most celebrated GT racers of its era. The MC12 was a symbol of Maserati’s resurgence in motorsport, embodying the brand’s rich racing heritage while pushing the boundaries of what was possible in GT racing. Its success on the track helped to reaffirm Maserati’s status as a manufacturer of world-class, high-performance racing machines, making the MC12 Competizione not just one of the best GT racers of its time, but a timeless icon of motorsport excellence.

7. Maserati Tipo 151

Remembered for its innovative design and the sheer audacity of its ambition.

Unveiled in 1962, the Tipo 151 was engineered with a singular focus: to conquer the 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the most grueling and prestigious endurance races in the world. While its racing career was marked by both highs and lows, the Tipo 151 is remembered for its innovative design, powerful performance, and the sheer audacity of its ambition, all of which cement its reputation as a top racing car.

At the heart of the Tipo 151's innovation was its engine, a 4.0-liter V8 capable of producing in excess of 360 horsepower, a significant figure that propelled it to top speeds of over 300 km/h (186 mph) on the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans. This engine was not just about raw power; it was also about advanced engineering, featuring dual overhead camshafts and fuel injection, innovations that provided a blend of reliability and high performance essential for endurance racing.

The car's body was another area where Maserati broke new ground. The Tipo 151 featured a distinctive long, low design with a Kamm tail for improved aerodynamics, designed by the renowned engineer Giulio Alfieri. Its sleek, wind-cheating shape was not only visually striking but also functional, reducing drag and increasing stability at high speeds. The car's construction utilized lightweight materials, including an aluminum body over a tubular frame, to optimize its power-to-weight ratio, crucial for endurance racing where efficiency and speed are paramount.

Despite its cutting-edge design and engineering, the Tipo 151's racing record was mixed, with mechanical failures often hindering its performance at Le Mans. However, it did achieve notable successes, including victories in other endurance races, which showcased its potential. The Tipo 151's aggressive acceleration, high top speed, and advanced aerodynamics made it a formidable competitor on the track.

8. 1926 Maserati Tipo 26

Its debut race finished first in the Grand Prix class.

The Maserati Tipo 26, introduced in 1926, holds the distinguished honor of being the very first race car built under the Maserati name, marking the inception of the storied Italian marque's long and illustrious participation in motorsport. Its debut heralded the beginning of Maserati's commitment to automotive racing and engineering excellence, a legacy that continues to this day. The Tipo 26 is iconic not just for its historical significance as Maserati's inaugural racer but also for its competitive achievements and technological innovations during the formative years of motor racing.

The Maserati Tipo 26 was powered by a robust 1.5-liter straight-eight engine, a significant technological achievement for its time. This engine was capable of producing around 120 horsepower, an impressive figure for the mid-1920s, which propelled the Tipo 26 to considerable speeds. The use of a supercharger, relatively novel at the time, contributed significantly to its power output, enhancing its competitiveness in the racing circuits.

The car featured a lightweight chassis and a body crafted with an emphasis on aerodynamics, reflecting the Maserati brothers' deep understanding of the critical role that weight and wind resistance play in racing performance. Its design was pragmatic yet innovative, embodying the principles that would come to define Maserati's approach to race car engineering: power, agility, and efficiency.

The Tipo 26 made its competitive debut in the 1926 Targa Florio, one of the most challenging and prestigious road races of the era, where it immediately proved its mettle by winning its class and finishing ninth overall. This victory was not just a significant achievement for a debut race car; it also signaled Maserati's arrival on the international motorsport stage. Over the following years, the Tipo 26 would continue to amass victories and podium finishes in various competitions, establishing Maserati as a formidable competitor in European racing.

The significance of the Maserati Tipo 26 extends beyond its racing accolades. It laid the foundation for Maserati's enduring legacy in motorsport, setting the stage for the development of future racing icons. The Tipo 26 was the progenitor of a lineage of successful race cars that would carry the Maserati name to victories in some of the world's most prestigious motorsport events, including the Indianapolis 500 and Formula One World Championships.