Maserati · 1955–1957

Maserati 150S

Maserati 150S is a racing car made by Maserati of Italy alongside the Maserati 200S, to take over for the aging Maserati A6GCS racing variants. Depending on the source, between twenty-four and twenty-seven examples were built, and one additional street-going car, called the Maserati 150 GT. The project Tipo 53 was designed by Vittorio Bellentani in 1953 and utilized the 4CF2 1484.1 cc engine, fitted with twin Weber 45 DCO3 carburetors and producing 140 hp (103 kW) at 7500 rpm. The engine was developed from Alberto Massimino's earlier two-liter version, created to offer a simpler design suitable for private competitors in Formula 2 racing. The 1.5-liter version underwent initial testing in a racing boat belonging to Liborio Guidotti in 1954–1955. Maserati unveiled the 150S at the April 1955 Turin Motor Show; the final example was completed in January 1957.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Maserati A6

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Development

The first series had a Maserati 300S-inspired body developed by Celestino Fiandri who also assembled the first few chassis together with Malagoli; Gilco soon took over this aspect. The tubular frame chassis was similar to that of the A6GCS, but with the important distinction of having a de Dion rear axle with transverse leaf springs rather than the A6's live rear end. The wheelbase on the first four or five cars was 2,150 mm (84.6 in); this was increased to 2,250 mm (88.6 in) beginning with chassis #1656. Eight 1955s (first series) were built; some of them may have been fitted with the five-speed gearbox seen on the second series. The second series followed during 1956; it changed from the original four-speed transmission with Porsche patent synchromesh to a five-speed unit made by ZF. The more angular bodywork was all new, with a more aggressive nose and a truncated rear end. It was developed by Giulio Alfieri with a new focus on aerodynamics, incorporating a faired underbody, and built by Medardo Fantuzzi. The 1957 Maserati 150 GT was a spider built on a Maserati A6GCS chassis intended for street use, bodied by Fantuzzi and sporting a 150S engine with a lowered compression ratio. Massimino, the spearhead of Maserati's four-cylinder program, left for Stanguellini in late 1952 and was replaced at Maserati by Gioacchino Colombo. Colombo, as well as Giulio Alfieri who joined Maserati in September 1953, preferred the six-cylinder design and the 150S/200S family was never developed to its full potential. During 1956, partly as a result of unsatisfying competition results, Maserati accordingly stopped developing the 150S. The factory reengined one car (#1655) with a 250S engine, #1665 was equipped with a 200S engine, and chassis #1672 was reengineered to 200SI specifications

Competition

Most of the cars built were sold to customers who competed as privateers. The best result for the 150S came when Jean Behra won the half-sized 1000km Nürburgring in 1955, besting 13 Porsches among others. This successful result helped fill the order books for the second series of the 150S. Alejandro de Tomaso finished fourth overall at the 1956 1000 km Buenos Aires, behind two Maserati 300S and a Ferrari 857 Monza, all with factory backing. The engine also had a successful afterlife when fitted to various Lotus and Cooper chassis, as noted in the section on the Tipo 6.

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 150S
Manufacturer: Maserati
Production: 1955-1957
Body style: no-door, two-seater
Layout: FR layout
Engine: 1484 cc 4CF2 DOHC 16V I4
Length: 4400 mm
Width: 1804 mm
Height: 1140 mm
Kerb weight: 630 kg
Wheelbase: 2150 mm (early), 2250 mm
Predecessor: Maserati A6GCS
Designer: Vittorio Bellentani and Medardo Fantuzzi
Related: Maserati 150 GT, Maserati 200S
Top speed: 230 km/h

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1641894CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maserati_150SCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1363292261 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maserati_150_S.jpgCC BY 2.0 · Photo: asopuma from Paris, France · 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.