Maserati · 1962–present
Maserati Tipo 151
The Maserati Tipo 151 is a racing car manufactured by Italian automobile manufacturer Maserati for the 1962 LeMans season to compete in the experimental GT car class. Three cars were built in total, one for Johnny Simone of Maserati France (151 002) with a red exterior colour and white tri-stripes whilst two were built for Briggs Cunningham (151 004 and 151 006) for his racing team. These cars had a white body with two blue stripes.
Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Predecessor: Maserati Tipo 61
All Maserati Tipo 151 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →
Design and specifications
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 a reduced displacement of just under 4.0 litres due to a restriction imposed by the FIA that the participants in the experimental GT cars should have 4-litre engines. The block featured a smaller bore (91 mm, down from 94 mm) and an even shorter stroke (76 mm instead of 81 mm) along with a compression rato of 9.7:1. Other changes included four gear-driven camshafts, a dry sump lubrication system and four Weber 45 IDMs carburettors. The engine was rated at 360 hp (268 kW). 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. 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 LeMans race.
Competition history
The cars proved quick at the qualifying sessions, with one Cunningham car driven by Dick Thompson and Bill Kimberley qualifying in third place with the second Cunningham car driven by Walt Hansgen and Bruce McLaren qualifying at the fifth place while the Maserati France car qualified at the seventh place. The cars were quick at the start of the race but began suffering from reliability problems. The 151 driven by Kimberly and Thompson went off the track due to poorly fitted brake pads and retired after 62 laps with a damaged radiator. The Maserati France entry experienced excessive rear tyre wear forcing tyre change every ten laps. It was voluntarily retired after 152 laps to avoid a major accident. The 151 driven by Hansgen and McLaren lasted the longest and was at the fifth place in early morning but experienced a transmission failure and retired after 178 laps. After the race, the cars went to the Maserati factory for servicing and the Cunningham team cars were taken to the US where they were subject to further modifications. The 151 004 was fitted with 5.7 litre V8 engine for a race in October 1962 where it yielded worse results. It was modified further for the 1963 Daytona American Challenge Cup, fitted with 7.0-litre Ford V8 and some axle modifications. The car suffered an accident and was written off during the race and scavenged for parts. The 151 006 was sold to Bev Spencer who campaigned it in SCAA events where it suffered from issues with the braking system. It was sold to Chuck Jones afterwards who converted it into a road car after failing to sell it. It was bought by German car collector Peter Kaus who restored it to its original specifications and displayed it in his personal car collection before auctioning the car in 2006. The Maserati France car was
Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.
Specifications
- name
- Maserati Tipo 151
- Manufacturer
- Maserati
- Production
- 1962
- Assembly
- Italy: Modena
- Class
- Racing car
- Body style
- 2-door coupé
- Engine
- 4.0 L V8, 4.9 L V8
- Layout
- Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual
- Kerb weight
- 975 kg (151 006), 973 kg (151 004), 981 kg (151 002)
- Wheelbase
- 2350 mm
- Predecessor
- Maserati Birdcage
- Designer
- Giulio Alfieri (original design), Piero Drogo (Tipo 151 003)
Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.
More photos
Sources
- Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1331107CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maserati_Tipo_151CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1309948676 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maserati_T-151.JPGCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: LarryStevens · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.