Maserati celebrates the Nürburgring victory of Tipo 61, one of the models that add value to the brand's history, exactly 60 years ago.
In the production process from 1959 to 1961, the victories and power of the Tipo 60 and Tipo 61 laid the foundations of Maserati's racing tradition. The brand today; Inspired by his past victories, he plans a future in motorsport with the MC20 as the start of a new era.
Exactly 60 years ago, the Maserati Tipo 61 achieved significant success in Germany. Tipo 61 achieved an incredible victory in the seventh of the Nürburgring 1000 km race, the most important endurance race of those years, held at the Nordschleife. Piloted by Masten Gregory and Lloyd Casner, the Maserati Tipo 61 achieved a double victory, winning again just one year after the victory in 1960, piloting Stirling Moss and with him Dan Gurney. In praise of the aforementioned victories; The colors that inspire the Maserati MC12 Stradale are white and blue. The MC12 Stradale, which marked the beginning of the 2000s, recently handed over the flag to the new MC20, reinvigorating the racing spirit that has always been an integral part of Maserati's DNA, paving the way for the brand's return to motorsport.
From racing origins to a new future
The complex chassis of the Tipo 61, designed by Giulia Alfieri, consisting of approximately 200 tubes, became famous for its appearance as the "Bird Cage". Tipo 61 became the most famous model of the five-model series produced with this chassis, and the production technique in question made it known with a lighter but also more robust chassis than the racing cars of the period. This technique has become the best solution in the world of two-seater, front-engine, rear-wheel drive racing cars. Maserati began production of the Tipo 60 in March 1959, and in November of that year converted the car into the Tipo 61 to meet the technical specifications required to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The displacement of the four-cylinder engine was increased to 2,900 cc, while power output reached 250 HP at 7,000 rpm. In addition, the layout and solutions applied for Tipo 60 were preserved. On the other hand, its weight had increased from 570 kg to 600 kg and it reached a top speed of 285 km/h instead of 270 km/h.
Although the engine volume and power increased, the Tipo 61 was more frugal. Less fuel requirement has reduced the number of times the Tipo 61 stops for fuel during the race, thus giving the Tipo 61 a very important advantage in endurance races.
Technical specifications Tipo 60 – Tipo 61:
Engine: Longitudinal inline four-cylinder
Engine displacement: 1,990 cc – 2,890 cc
Maximum power: 200 – 250 HP
Transmission: Manual five-speed and reverse, connected to differential housing
Chassis: Birdcage
Weight: 570 kg – 600 kg
Maximum speed: 270 km/h – 285 km/h
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