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As machines go, there are very few more matrix of 200 short chromium-molybdenum
evocative than vintage racing cars, particularly steel tubes. Welded together with a unique and
those whose lineage can be traced to Modena, highly guarded process, the chassis provided
Italy: namely, Ferrari and Maserati. Before incredible rigidity and minimal weight.
Maserati built luxury sedans and SUVs, it was Initially designated as the Tipo 60 (Tipo 61
a brand steeped in racing pedigree. It was the when fitted with the larger engine), it was later
first European marque to win the Indy 500 christened as the “Birdcage” by an American
in 1939 (a feat it would repeat the following journalist visiting the factory. The name stuck,
year) and carried racing greats Sir Stirling and Maserati was once again a major player in
Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio to numerous the world of sports car racing.
victories – and a world championship – in the In many ways the Birdcage is the common
early years of Formula 1.
ancestor to many of the prototype racers
By the late 1950s, Maserati’s venerated racing competing today. It revolutionized the exterior
history was on the decline and the Italian design of sports cars of the period, proving to
marque was pushed to innovate. Hampered by be highly influential in the years to come and
the development costs of creating a new engine iconic to this day. The twin-Weber-fed DOHC
or expensive monocoque structure, Maserati’s inline-4 engine was set far behind the front
chief engineer designed a new chassis using a axle and canted to the right at a 45-degree
angle to optimize the center of gravity
and keep the car low. The 5-speed manual

LOT #740 - 1960 MASERATI TIPO 61 "BIRDCAGE" RE-CREATION - NO RESERVE transaxle was a derivative of the one used in
Maserati’s 250F Formula 1 car – the very car
MADE IN that carried Fangio to his fifth world title.
Lighter, nimbler and far more agile than the
competition, the Birdcage became a favorite of
MODENA racing greats that included Carroll Shelby, Dan
Gurney and Sir Stirling Moss.

Offered with No Reserve at Barrett-Jackson’s
inaugural Houston Auction, September 16-
1960 MASERATI TIPO 61 18, is one of the finest and most innovative
“BIRDCAGE” CHASSIS #2459 racing cars ever built: the 1960 Maserati Tipo
61. This car, chassis #2459, carries with it an
impressive provenance. The car was built for
famed American racer Briggs Cunningham and
prepared for racing by Alfred Momo in New
York. Driven primarily by two-time SCCA Driver
of the Year Walt Hansgen, this car took four
wins and multiple podiums between 1960-61.
In February 1962, while taking part in a practice
session at the Daytona Continental 3-Hour
Grand Touring and Sports Car Race, the car
was damaged. It was then sent to England and
dismantled as a donor car for future Tipo 60/61
Birdcage restorations.

Some years later the car was acquired by an
Italian collector in Modena. Using the original
factory drawings, the process of reconstructing
the frame and bodywork began, using period-

38 BARRETT-JACKSON EXPERIENCE FALL 2021
38 BAR R ET T -JA C KS O N E X PE R I E N C E F ALL 2021