MASERATI Tipo 151/1 Le Mans Coupe #151.006

In 1962, a change in the rules by the FIA for the World Sportscar Championship did away with the 3-litre limit and allowed the participation of 4-litre GT prototypes. Maserati responded with the Tipo 151 of which three cars were built in 1962. This example in the museum remains the most original survivor.

Following the disappointing handling characteristics of the rear-engined Tipo 64, Ing. Giulio Alfieri returned to the more conventional front-engine rear-wheel-drive design for the Tipo 151. The multi-tube chassis of the Tipo 64 was discarded in favour of a more traditional large oval/round tube trellis type chassis with independent front suspension and a de Dion rear axle. Powered by a 4-litre (3943.9cc) V8 engine producing some 360 bhp @ 7000 rpm and a top speed of around 200 mph, the Tipo 151s were fitted with an all aluminium body and were prepared primarily for an assault on the 24 hour race at Le Mans.

In the 1962 race all three cars were entered two by the Briggs Cunningham Team and the other by 'Colonel' John Simone's Maserati France Team. The Cunningham cars, #2 (151.004) driven by Bruce McLaren and Walt Hansgen, and #3 (151.006) driven by Richard Thompson and Bill Kimberly, were painted in white with two longitudinal blue stripes, the Simone car, #4 (151.002) driven by Maurice Trintignant and Lucien Bianchi, in red.

Maserati: The Postwar Sportsracing Cars by Joel E. Finn records:

"During prerace practice the Tipo 151 proved to be faster than their Ferrari counterparts, the McLaren/Hansgen machine being timed at 177 mph on the Mulsanne straight with the other 151s only a few mph slower.

The race itself was quite typical of Maserati misfortunes over the years. The Kimberly/Thompson mount ran a strong second until crashed by Thompson in the fourth hour. The Hansgen/McLaren coupe also worked its way into second place, but was involved in a minor accident leading to its eventual retirement. The Maserati France Tipo 151 crashed into a bank while holding fourth place, damaging the rear suspension. Though it could continue at a reduced rate of speed, it too was withdrawn."

It is worth recalling that these cars were built between late 1961 and early 1962 and delays in construction meant they failed to make preliminary qualification at Le Mans in April that year.