1959 Birdcage Maserati —SOLD Other cars available, please contact us

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Chassis #2473
Built by Crosswaite and Gardner in England, this phenomenal car was meticulously recreated down to the last nut and bolt. Starting with a newly built chassis, this entire car was a twelve year project incorporating as many original parts (original engine #2487) as were available and or newly created parts to 100% original specification. The quality of this birdcage is exact to the original specification and ready for serious vintage racing, road use, or show.
Currently, with only eight miles since completion – as new!

Engine Straight 4
Displacement 2.890 liter / 176.4 cu in
Valvetrain 2 valves / cylinder, DOHC
Fuel feed 2 Weber 45 DCO3 Carburetors
Power 250 bhp / 187 KW @ 6800 rpm
Top Speed 285 km/h / 177 mph
Gearbox 5 speed Manual/ZF limited slip differential
Weight 600 kilo / 1322.8 lbs

Birdcage History
Although Maserati had withdrawn from motor racing at the end of the 1957 season, a new sports racer was designed and released in 1959. This did not mean a return to racing for the factory as all 22 new cars were sold to private teams. Available in two versions, these racers were quickly nick-named ‘Birdcage’ after their tubular chassis. Ironically it is the ‘Birdcage’ that is considered the finest Maserati sports car of them all.

Unlike its predecessors, the ‘Birdcage’ featured a spaceframe chassis made up of around 200 small tubes welded together. The unique multi-tubular frame was both lighter and more rigid than the tubular frame constructions used on Maserati’s previous sportscars. Both front and rear suspension are derived from previous sportscars with double wishbones at the front and a DeDion rear axle.

Mounted in the spaceframe, canted at a 45 degree angle, was a big four cylinder engine. Two engines were available, the two litre powered the Tipo 60 and the 2.9 litre powerd the Tipo 61. The latter was conceived especially for US customers to campaign in the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) series. The engine was bored out to the maximum the block casting could take and fitted with long stroke pistons. The tall engine was canted to minimize the frontal area of the body. In the lightweight construction the 250 bhp delivered by the big ‘four’ was more than sufficient.