Maserati Tipo 151
Encyclopedia
The Maserati 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 had many similarities to that used on the Type 64 completed a month or so before. The engine was derived from the 450S
with a reduced displacement of just under 4.0 Litres. Giulio Alfieri
designed the body shape and refined it using a wind tunnel at Milan University. The body was reminiscent of the Frank Costin
designed Zagato
bodied 450S, but with an accentuated Kamm tail. The mandatory doors opened half way up the side due to the longitudinal tubes of the frame and the lateral fuel tanks. At Le Mans
in 1962 the Johnny Simone car was in the Maserati France colours of red body with a tri-stripe whilst the Cunningham team cars had a white body with two blue stripes. At race end the Cunningham cars went back to the US.
The Maserati France car was sent to the factory for revision for the 1963 Le Mans event. Improvements included a new engine, the standard production 4941 cc motor derived from the 5000GT
but with single ignition and Lucas indirect injection, but now producing 430 bhp and now renumbered as 151/2.
The Maserati France team car again came back to the factory in preparation for 1964 when there was a massive change to the frame, the mechanicals and the body. Now designated 151/3 and jokingly called the 'racing van' for its unique new body design by Pierre Drogo, the engine was unchanged in size but the frame was modified to mount the engine lower in the chassis - also to increase the wheelbase and track width.
For 1965 there was again work on the frame and the body and the displacement of the engine was increased to 5046.8 cc - this version (151/4) is called the Tipo 154
by some. The driver "Lucky" Casner
was killed during practice prior to the race. The engine went on to power the Tipo 65 less than 2 months later.
De Dion
De Dion may refer to:* Jules-Albert de Dion , automobile pioneer* de Dion-Bouton, automobile manufacturer* de Dion tube, automobile suspension...
axle which had many similarities to that used on the Type 64 completed a month or so before. The engine was derived from the 450S
Maserati 450S
Maserati 450S were nine racing cars made by Maserati of Italy, and used in FIA's endurance World Sportscar Championship racing....
with a reduced displacement of just under 4.0 Litres. Giulio Alfieri
Giulio Alfieri
Giulio Alfieri was an Italian automobile engineer, affiliated with Maserati in Modena, Italy since 1953, where he was central to the development of racing and production cars in the 1950s and 1960s.Alfieri was born in Parma...
designed the body shape and refined it using a wind tunnel at Milan University. The body was reminiscent of the Frank Costin
Frank Costin
Frank Costin was an automotive engineer who pioneered monocoque chassis design and was instrumental in adapting aircraft aerodynamic knowledge for automobile use. He was the brother of Mike Costin, co-founder of Cosworth. Frank Costin used his aeronautical knowledge to design and build a chassis...
designed Zagato
Zagato
Zagato is a design consultancy and engineering services company situated just outside Milan, Italy.The company's premises occupy an area of , of which are covered....
bodied 450S, but with an accentuated Kamm tail. The mandatory doors opened half way up the side due to the longitudinal tubes of the frame and the lateral fuel tanks. At Le Mans
Le Mans
Le Mans is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Mans. Le Mans is a part of the Pays de la Loire region.Its inhabitants are called Manceaux...
in 1962 the Johnny Simone car was in the Maserati France colours of red body with a tri-stripe whilst the Cunningham team cars had a white body with two blue stripes. At race end the Cunningham cars went back to the US.
The Maserati France car was sent to the factory for revision for the 1963 Le Mans event. Improvements included a new engine, the standard production 4941 cc motor derived from the 5000GT
Maserati 5000 GT
Maserati 5000 GT were thirty-four 2-door coupé automobiles, made by Maserati of Italy.The first car in the Tipo 103 series, was the Shah of Persia, delivered to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who had been impressed by the Maserati 3500...
but with single ignition and Lucas indirect injection, but now producing 430 bhp and now renumbered as 151/2.
The Maserati France team car again came back to the factory in preparation for 1964 when there was a massive change to the frame, the mechanicals and the body. Now designated 151/3 and jokingly called the 'racing van' for its unique new body design by Pierre Drogo, the engine was unchanged in size but the frame was modified to mount the engine lower in the chassis - also to increase the wheelbase and track width.
For 1965 there was again work on the frame and the body and the displacement of the engine was increased to 5046.8 cc - this version (151/4) is called the Tipo 154
Maserati Tipo 154
The Maserati Tipo 154, also known as 151/4 and jokingly dubbed "Racing Van" for its unique body design by Piero Drogo, was a racecar produced in 1965 as an improved version of the Tipo 152, sporting a reworked frame, a few more vents and ducts and a larger displacement. There was only one car built...
by some. The driver "Lucky" Casner
Lloyd Casner
Lloyd Perry Casner was the creator of the Casner Motor Racing Division team....
was killed during practice prior to the race. The engine went on to power the Tipo 65 less than 2 months later.