Maserati Birdcage Tipo 63 3 Litre V12 Fiandri 1961

The Alfieri designed Maserati Birdcage racing cars Series started life as the Maserati Tipo 61 with a front mounted 3 Litre four cylinder engine in the trademark intricate frame of lightweight tubes. It was relatively successful, although rather beset with reliability problems, yet popular with drivers due to its good handling and modest fuel consumption in sports racing car events.

The Tipo 63, sold to private teams, was an attempt to build a faster version with fashionable mid-engined configuration using a 3 Litre V12 (used formerly in a version of the Maserati 250F Grand Prix car). With this car Maserati hoped to remain competitive with Ferrari and Lotus competition on a modest budget. Maserati were the first to fit a midship V12, raising the Birdcage’s top speed to over 190 mph (305 kph) but failing to improve reliability or handling.

However, this Maserati Tipo 63, sold new to the entrant/driver/constructor Briggs Cunningham, hold the honor of coming third overall at the 1961 Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race – the best ever placing of a Maserati in this classic event.

This Maserati Tipo 63 with 2.890 cc 12 cylinder engine has a sport racing body prepared by Carrozzeria Fiandri. It was introduced at the 2011 Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza by Gabriele Artom from Italy.

Wallpapers : Maserati Birdcage Tipo 63 3 Litre V12 Fiandri 1961 (click on image to enlarge)