Rare Car Archive

Makes › Maserati Italy › Tipo › Tipo 61 'Birdcage' · Factory competition · 1959–1961 Ultra Rare

Maserati
Tipo 61 'Birdcage'

Multi-tube spaceframe (Birdcage) sports-racer; Camoradi team Nürburgring 1000 km winner.

Maserati Tipo 61 'Birdcage' (Wikimedia Commons search)
Maserati Tipo 61 'Birdcage' (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Lothar Spurzem · CC BY-SA 2.0
17Tipo 61 builtFactory reported
22Tipo 60 and 61 builtRegistry reported
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
17 Tipo 61 built
Years
1959–1961
Engine
DOHC inline four, canted at 45 degrees · 2,890 cc / 2.9 LFactory: 2,890 cc
Power
186 kW / 253 PSFactory: 250 hp · converted
Top speed
270 km/hFactory: 270 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Giulio Alfieri
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The Tipo 61 'Birdcage' is the 3-litre version of Maserati's Tipo 60 sports racer, named for its lattice frame of small-diameter tubes weighing only 66 pounds. It was one of the last front-engined sports racers and, in Camoradi hands, won the 1960 Nürburgring 1000 km with Moss and Gurney.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityUltra Rare 22 · Tipo 60 and 61 built1
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productionTipo 61 cars produced, including one converted Tipo 60 (Tipo 60: 6 cars) 172,3Strongest evidence Manufacturer reported Factory reported
Total model productionTipo 60 and Tipo 61 together, 1959 to early 1961 221 Factory production Registry reported
Why more than one figure?

This counts Tipo 60 and Tipo 61 together (Maserati: 6 Tipo 60 plus 17 Tipo 61, one a converted Tipo 60); the page is about the Tipo 61, whose own figure is 17.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Engineer Giulio Alfieri designed the Tipo 60 around the sturdy two-litre four-cylinder from the 200S. The prototype Tipo 60, chassis 2451, debuted on 12 July 1959 with Stirling Moss and won its first race. Maserati then enlarged the engine to three litres, giving the Tipo 61, delivered to customers from November 1959. At least one Tipo 60 was upgraded to Tipo 61 specification and the two are often regarded as one model, with 22 examples produced between 1959 and early 1961.

The American Camoradi team of Lucky Casner bought the factory prototype and ordered more; its cars scored the Nürburgring 1000 km wins of 1960 and 1961 (the 1961 win with chassis 2472, the final Birdcage, rebodied by Drogo).

Variants

How each version differs from the standard Tipo 61 'Birdcage'.

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutDOHC inline four, canted at 45 degrees1 Independently researched
Cylinders42
Displacement 2,890 cc / 2.9 LFactory: 2,890 cc4 Independently researched
BoreNot yet verified
StrokeNot yet verified
Compression ratioNot yet verified
ValvetrainDOHC, twin-plug3 Independently researched
Fuel systemTwin Weber 48 DCO/A3 carburettors4 Independently researched
Power 186 kW / 253 PSFactory: 250 hp · converted4 Independently researchedSource states bhp.
Power atNot yet verified
TorqueNot yet verified

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxFive-speed manual transaxle4 Independently researched
Gears52
Driven wheelsNot yet verified

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisTubular trellis frame4 Independently researched
Front suspensionIndependent, coil springs4 Independently researched
Rear suspensionDe Dion axle, transverse leaf spring4 Independently researched
BrakesFour-wheel hydraulic disc brakes4 Independently researched
SteeringRack and pinion2
Body constructionHand-crafted aluminium body by Gentilini & Allegretti2
Wheelbase 2,200 mmFactory: 2,200 mm4 Independently researched
Length 3,800 mmFactory: 3,800 mm5 Independently researchedListed for car no. 2459.
Width 1,500 mmFactory: 1,500 mm5 Independently researchedListed for car no. 2459.
Height 900 mmFactory: 900 mm5 Independently researchedListed for car no. 2459.
Front track 1,250 mmFactory: 1,250 mm5 Independently researchedListed for car no. 2459.
Rear track 1,200 mmFactory: 1,200 mm5 Independently researchedListed for car no. 2459.
Kerb weight 600 kgFactory: 600 kg6"almost 600 kg"; Tipo 60 about 570 kg.
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 270 km/hFactory: 270 km/h6 Independently researchedReached by one Tipo 61 at Le Mans 1960 per Maserati; the dealer page lists 240 km/h (144 mph).
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tank 120 LFactory: 120 L5 Independently researchedListed for car no. 2459.

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

A Tipo 61 uses the 2,890 cc twin-plug dohc four with the engine canted at 45 degrees, a five-speed transaxle and a tubular trellis frame. Chassis 2461 is believed to be the first Tipo 61 with larger 14-inch front brake discs. Gooding says one car 'retains original body, chassis and correct type engine', so engine identity (for example engine no. 370/0107/GT) and Maserati Classiche certification are the key tests for authenticity; engine and chassis swaps are common on these race cars.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    1960 Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage chassis 2461 Level B conceptcarz.com
    • Between the Type 60 and Type 61, there were 22 examples built
    • engine canted at a 45-degree angle to lower height
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    Birdcage Tipo 60 / Tipo 61 (classic car page and data sheet) Level A Maserati
    • Vehicles produced: 6 (Tipo 60) | 17 (including 1 converted Tipo 60)
    • 4-cylinders in-line, dry sump, tilted 45 degrees to the right
    • Transaxle with integrated differential, 5-speed + reverse
    • modern rack-and-pinion type steering box
    • Hand-crafted from aluminium by Gentilini & Allegretti
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  3. 3
    1959 Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage - one of 17 built Level C Gooding & Company
    • one of 17 built
    • 2,890 CC DOHC Twin-Plug Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  4. 4
    1960 Maserati Tipo 61 'Birdcage' (Monterey 2013) Level C RM Sotheby's
    • 2,890 cc dual overhead-camshaft inline four-cylinder engine
    • twin Weber 48 DCO/A3 carburetors
    • 250 bhp, 2,890 cc
    • five-speed manual transaxle
    • tubular trellis frame
    • independent front suspension with coil springs
    • de Dion rear axle with transverse leaf springs
    • four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes
    • Wheelbase: 86.6 in. (2,200 mm)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  5. 5
    Maserati Birdcage Tipo 61 no. 2459 Level C Auto Collectors Garage
    • Overall length: 3800mm
    • Overall width: 1500mm
    • Overall height: 900mm
    • Front Track: 1250 mm
    • Rear Track: 1200 mm
    • Fuel Capacity: 120 litres
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  6. 6
    Maserati Tipo 60 debut and victory at Rouen on 12 July 1959 Level A Maserati
    • total weight of the Tipo 61 increased to almost 600 kg
    • one of the Tipo 61 cars reached a speed of 270 km/h at Le Mans
    Accessed 2026-11-13

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