Maserati Tipo 61

Maserati Tipo 60/61
Overview
Manufacturer	Maserati
Also called	Birdcage
Production	1959–1961 16 + 1 units (Tipo 61)[1] 6 units (Tipo 60)[2]
Assembly	Italy: Modena
Designer	Giulio Alfieri
Body and chassis
Class	Racing car
Body style	2-door speedster
Layout	Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine	1,990 cc (2.0 L) inline-four (Tipo 60) 2,890.3 cc (2.9 L) inline-four (Tipo 61)
Transmission	5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,200 mm (87 in)
Curb weight	570 kg (1,260 lb) (Tipo 60) 600 kg (1,300 lb) (Tipo 61)
Chronology
Successor	Maserati Tipo 151

The Maserati Tipo 60/61 (commonly referred to as the Maserati Birdcage) are a series of sports racing cars produced between 1959 and 1961 by Italian automobile manufacturer Maserati for privateers racing in sports car events including the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 2-litre and 3-litre racing category.^[2] It used an intricate tubular space frame chassis, containing about 200 chro-moly steel tubes welded together, arranged triangular formation at high stress areas of the chassis, hence the nickname "Birdcage".^[1] This method of construction provided a more rigid and, at the same time, lighter chassis than other racing cars of the time.^[1]

By recessing the windscreen base into the bodywork, Maserati was able to reduce the effect of new Le Mans rules demanding a tall windscreen. The Camoradi team became famous racing the Tipo 61s but, despite being very competitive, the Birdcage was somewhat unreliable and retired from many races due to problems with the drivetrain.^[3]

The road legal version of the Maserati MC 12 was available in a white colour with blue stripes livery as a tribute to the Tipo 61 and the Camoradi racing team.^[4]

The Tipo 60/61 were succeeded by the Tipo 151 which used a more conventional tubular chassis.