View source for Maserati Tipo 61

{{Infobox automobile
| image        = Motorshow Essen 2013-11-30 11-27-41 (11732733863).jpg
| name         = Maserati Tipo 60/61
| aka          = Birdcage
| manufacturer = [[Maserati]]
| assembly = Italy: [[Modena, Italy|Modena]]
| production   = {{unbulleted list
|1959&ndash;1961
|16 + 1 units (Tipo 61)<ref name="ultimate">{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=295|title=Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage|publisher=Ultimate Car Page|access-date=2006-11-13}}</ref>
|6 units (Tipo 60)<ref name="maserati"/>
}}
| class        = [[Racing car]]
| body_style   = 2-door [[speedster (automobile)|speedster]]
| platform     =
| layout       = [[Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive]], [[Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive]]
| engine       = {{unbulleted list
|{{Convert|1990|cc|L|abbr=on|1}} [[Straight-4|inline-four]] (Tipo 60)
|{{Convert|2890.3|cc|L|abbr=on|1}} inline-four (Tipo 61)
}}
| transmission = 5-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]]
| length       =
| width        =
| height       =
| weight       = {{unbulleted list
|{{convert|570|kg|lb||abbr=on}} (Tipo 60)
|{{convert|600|kg|lb||abbr=on}} (Tipo 61)
}}
| wheelbase    = {{convert|2200|mm|in||abbr=on}}
| predecessor  =
| successor    = [[Maserati Tipo 151]]
| designer     = [[Giulio Alfieri]]
| related      =
}}
The '''Maserati Tipo 60/61''' (commonly referred to as the '''Maserati Birdcage''') are a series of [[sports car racing|sports]] [[racing car]]s produced between 1959 and 1961 by Italian automobile manufacturer [[Maserati]] for privateers racing in sports car events including the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] in the 2-litre and 3-litre racing category.<ref name="maserati">{{Cite web|title="Birdcage" Tipo 60 / Tipo 61|url=https://www.maserati.com/international/en/brand/our-story/maserati-classic-cars/post-war-racing-cars/birdcage-tipo-60-tipo-61|website=www.maserati.com|access-date=2020-05-12}}</ref> It used an intricate tubular [[space frame]] [[chassis]], containing about 200 [[chromium|chro]]-[[molybdenum|moly]] [[steel]] tubes welded together, arranged triangular formation at high stress areas of the chassis, hence the nickname "Birdcage".<ref name="ultimate"/> This method of construction provided a more rigid and, at the same time, lighter chassis than other racing cars of the time.<ref name="ultimate"/>
By recessing the windscreen base into the bodywork, Maserati was able to reduce the effect of new Le Mans rules demanding a tall windscreen.
The [[Camoradi]] team became famous racing the Tipo 61s but, despite being very competitive, the Birdcage was somewhat unreliable and retired from many races due to problems with the drivetrain.<ref name="maserati alfieri">{{cite web|url=http://www.maserati-alfieri.co.uk/maser12.htm|title=The Birdcage Maserati|publisher=Maserati Alfieri|access-date=2011-07-06}}</ref>
The road legal version of the 2004 [[Maserati MC 12]] was available in a white colour with blue stripes livery as a tribute to the Tipo 61 and the Camoradi racing team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/maserati_mc12.asp|title=The MC12, at the Pinnacle of the Sports Prototype Range|publisher=RSportsCars|access-date=2006-11-13|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061021171417/http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/maserati_mc12.asp|archive-date=2006-10-21}}</ref>
The Tipo 60/61 were succeeded by the [[Maserati Tipo 151|Tipo 151]] which used a more conventional tubular chassis.
== Development history ==
In  1958, the Orsi family assigned technical director [[Giulio Alfieri]] to devise technical solutions to make Maserati race cars more competitive on the track, he was given freedom despite the company's difficult financial situation at the time. The initial idea was to use a backbone chassis, as used by Maserati's competitors but that idea did not go ahead. In October 1958, Alfieri and his team came up with an innovative idea which consisted of using 200 small steel tubes having a diameter between 10 and 15&nbsp;mm welded together in very short lengths in a complex mesh to form a cage like structure.
A compact {{Convert|1990|cc|L|1|abbr=on}} four-cylinder engine taken from the [[Maserati 200S|200S]] was mounted at the front of the car at a 45-degree angle and towards the centre for a better centre of gravity. The engine was significantly modified, having newly designed cylinder heads, a 93x72&nbsp;mm bore and stroke, twin Weber 45 DCO3 carburettors, Marelli battery powered dual ignition and a revised exhaust system. It was rated at {{Convert|200|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}}. The suspension systems consisted of spiral springs at the front and De Dion rear axle with single transverse leaf spring. The construction techniques used on the chassis allowed for a low weight of {{Convert|570|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}.
The first car was completed in May 1959 and was given to [[Stirling Moss]] for testing. Initial tests revealed cracks in the chassis. The development team would resolve the issue by changing the grade of the steel used to construct the chassis. On 12 July 1959, the Tipo 60 won in its debut race, driven by Moss. This caught the attention of American racing teams competing in the 3-litre class. After demands of making a 3-litre variant of the car available, the displacement of the engine was increased to {{Convert|2890|cc|L|1|abbr=on}} which resulted in an increase in the power output by {{Convert|50|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}}. Consequently, weight was increased to {{Convert|600|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} due to the use of a revised propeller shaft in the engine. This change did not affect the fuel consumption which gave the car a significant advantage during races. The revised version of the car was called the Tipo 61.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maserati Tipo 60, debut and victory at Rouen on 12 July 1959|url=https://www.maserati.com/international/en/news/Maserati-Tipo-60-debut-and-victory-at-Rouen-on-12-July-1959|website=www.maserati.com|access-date=2020-05-12}}</ref>
== Racing history ==
The Tipo 60/61's impressive performance would catch the attention of [[Lloyd Casner|"Lucky" Casner]]. After testing a prototype of the car at the Modena Autodrome, and on his request, a prototype of a Tipo 60 would be converted to a Tipo 61 and delivered to him fielded by Maserati. Initial races with [[Carroll Shelby]] driving the car would be troublesome but the car showed promising results at the 1960 Targa Florio driven by Umberto Maglioli but would retire due to an engine failure.<ref name="classic driver">{{cite web|url=http://www.classicdriver.com/uk/magazine/3200.asp?id=11902|title=Maserati Tipo 61: The Streamliner Birdcage|access-date=2006-11-13|last=Heywood|first=Andy}}</ref> Casner founded the [[Casner Motor Racing Division]] who raced three Tipo 61's in the [[1960 24 Hours of Le Mans]]. In the race, the Tipo 61 would show impressive performance, clocking speeds of {{Convert|169|mph|km/h|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} and maintaining a lead over cars fielded by rival Ferrari of over 4 minutes but a starter motor problem would push the team to last place. Rain combined with the impractical windshield design would once again not let the car finish.<ref name="classic driver"/> The Tipos never won Le Mans due to reliability issues, however in both 1960 and 1961 the Camoradi team won the [[1000 km Nürburgring]].<ref name="alfieri">{{cite web|url=http://www.maserati-alfieri.co.uk/maser12.htm|title=The Birdcage Maserati|publisher=Maserati Alfieri|access-date=2006-11-13}}</ref>
== The Birdcage series ==
[[File:MaseratiTipo61TheStreamlinerBirdcage-side.jpg|thumb|250px|right| Maserati Tipo 61 "Streamliner" of Camoradi Racing]]
The Tipo 61 was the most well known model but [[Giulio Alfieri]] designed 5 different models, all based on an intricate multi-tubular frame concept. This multi-tubular construction produced a light weight and rigid chassis that was a significant competitive advantage for a racing car. All models included independent front suspension, 4-wheel disc brakes and 5-speed transmission. A De Dion type rear axle was used on the Tipo 60 and 61.
The '''Tipo 60''' featured a small 2-litre 4-cylinder engine rated at {{Convert|200|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, located in the front and tilted over at a 45° angle for a lower center of gravity. The weight was {{convert|570|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} and the car had at a maximum speed of {{convert|270|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Supercars.net #1">{{cite web|url=http://www.supercars.net/cars/2404.html|title=Maserati Tipo 61|publisher=Supercars.net|access-date=2011-07-04}}</ref>
[[File:Maserati Tipo 61 Carrozzeria Drogo front.jpg|thumb|Maserati Tipo 61 Carrozzeria Drogo at the Umberto [[Panini Group|Panini]] museum]]
[[File:Maserati Tipo 61 Carrozzeria Drogo rear.jpg|thumb|Rear view of the Maserati Tipo 61 Carrozzeria Drogo at the Umberto [[Panini Group|Panini]] museum]]
The '''Tipo 61''' featured a 2.9-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at {{Convert|250|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, located in the front at a 45° angle for a weight of {{convert|600|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} pushing the car at a speed of {{convert|285|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Supercars.net #1"/>
[[File:Maserati T61 engine bay Donington.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Maserati Tipo 61 with front body section removed]]
'''The mid-engined Birdcage cars''' began with the Tipo 63. Maserati now changed to a mid-engine configuration using a similar multi-tubular chassis construction as the Tipo 60/61. The rear suspension was changed to an independent double wishbone configuration.<ref name="Supercars.net #2">{{cite web|url=http://www.supercars.net/cars/2882.html|title=Maserati Tipo 63|publisher=Supercars.net|access-date=2011-07-04}}</ref>
The Tipo 63 through 65 cars have been described as a "historian's nightmare". Maserati was in difficult financial circumstances and Giulio Alfieri was trying to build a competitive car on a low budget. He would retrieve various engines from the Maserati parts bins. Then, he had them modified and installed in the ten various chassis that were constructed from the ground up. The Tipo 63 was raced with four-cylinder and twelve-cylinder engines and the chassis was radically redesigned when the first version proved less competitive than the Tipo 61.<ref name="ClassicDriver #1">{{cite web|url=https://www.classicdriver.com/en/article/cars/how-maserati-birdcage-could-have-brought-joy-world|title=Maserati Birdcage|publisher=Classic Driver AG|access-date=2018-01-05}}</ref><ref name="ClassicDriver #2">{{cite web|url=https://www.classicdriver.com/en/article/maserati-tipo-63|title=Maserati Tipo 63 & 64|publisher=Classic Driver AG|access-date=2018-01-05}}</ref>
The '''Tipo 63''' first used a 4-cylinder engine similar to the Tipo 61 and later a V12 engine from the 1957 [[Maserati 250F|250F]] Grand Prix car. The Tipo 63 cars raced in 1961 with both engines, placing 4th at the 24 hours of Le Mans (12 cylinder version) with [[Briggs Cunningham]]'s team. Count Volpi's Scuderia Serenissima hired [[Medardo Fantuzzi]] to modify one of their Tipo 63 cars with a longer nose and a fin behind the driver.<ref name="Supercars.net #2"/><ref name="ClassicDriver #1"/><gallery mode="nolines" widths="250" caption="Maserati Tipo 63 test mule, featuring a V12 engine">
File:Maserati Tipo 63 Scuderia Serenissima front.jpg
File:Maserati Tipo 63 Scuderia Serenissima rear.jpg
File:Maserati Tipo 63.jpg
</gallery>The '''Tipo 64''' featured the same 3-liter V12 as the Tipo 63 with an upgraded frame (many smaller light alloy tubes) - nicknamed "Supercage". The all new body was designed by [[Franco Scaglione]].<ref name="Supercars.net #3">{{cite web|url=https://www.supercars.net/blog/1962-maserati-tipo-64-supercage/|title=1962 Maserati Tipo 64 Supercage|website=supercars.net|access-date=6 April 2024}}</ref>
The '''Tipo 65''' featured a 5-litre V8 engine similar to the one used in the [[Maserati Tipo 151|Tipo 151 003]] delivering about {{Convert|430|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} pushing the car at {{convert|350|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}. Only one car was built using a modified Tipo 63 chassis.<ref name="Supercars.net #4">{{cite web|url=http://www.supercars.net/cars/2817.html|title=1965 Maserati Tipo 65|publisher=Supercars.net|access-date=2011-07-04}}</ref>
== Maserati Birdcage 75th (2005 concept car) ==
{{Main|Maserati Birdcage 75th}}
The Maserati Birdcage 75th is a concept car to honor both the Birdcage and the 75th anniversary of [[Pininfarina]]. It features a {{convert|700|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[V12 engine]].
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Maserati Tipo 61}}
*[http://www.autocollectorsgarage.com/maserati-birdcage-tipo-61-2459/ The Marvelous Tipo 61 Racing Car]
* [http://www.autocollectorsgarage.com/restoration-details-maserati-birdcage-2459/ 1960 Maserati Birdcage Tipo 61 Restoration and FIA Documents]
* [http://www.cliffreuter.com/maserati.htm Birdcage #2469 1960 Riverside Winner Photos]
*[http://ferrariexperts.com/etceterini%20period%20race%20car%20photos.htm Birdcage Period Racing Photos]
*[http://www.supercars.net/cars/2882.html Tipo 63 - history from start to finish]
*[http://www.maserati-alfieri.co.uk/maser12.htm The racing history of the Maserati Birdcage cars]
* [[Maserati Birdcage Tipo 2459|Maserati Birdcage Tipo 61 2459]]
{{Maserati}}
[[Category:Maserati vehicles|Tipo 61 'Birdcage']]
[[Category:Sports racing cars]]
[[Category:24 Hours of Le Mans race cars]]