<< Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >> Maserati's return to racing was strictly limited to the construction and development of the cars, so privateer teams had to be found to actually race the new Tipo 63. Both Briggs Cunningham and Team Camoradi from the United States and Italy's Scuderia Serenissima showed an interest in the new Maserati and an initial run of four cars was built early in 1961. These were again fitted with the 2.9 litre four cylinder engine while Alfieri continued work on the V12. The two 'American' cars were completed in time for the Sebring 12 Hours in March.
Piloted by talented drivers like Bruce McLaren and Stirling Moss, the Tipo 63 had a troubled debut with both cars retiring. Next up for the new Maserati was the Le Mans Test where the three examples entered set the third, fourth and fifth fastest times. Scuderia Serenissima brought their two examples, still powered by the four-cylinder engine, to the Targa Florio where they finished fourth and fifth. They also campaigned the two cars in the Nurburgring 1000 km but engine failures ended the race prematurely for both 'Italian' Tipo 63.
At the Maserati factory the cars were then fitted with the new V12. Derived from the engine briefly used in the 250F and 350S in the 1950s, the three-litre unit featured twin overhead camshafts, and two valves and spark plugs per cylinders. Fuel was fed to the twelve cylinders through six twin-choke Weber carburettors. According to the official figures, the new 'Tipo 58' produced 320 bhp. At the same time, the cars were also fitted with slightly revised bodies with longer noses to improve the stability. The first V12-engined Tipo 63 had made its debut at the Le Mans test where it finished fourth.
Four examples, two each for Briggs Cunningham and Scuderia Serenissima, were entered for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, all equipped with the V12 engine. Unfortunately only one of the Serenissima cars was ready in time for the race. The cars proved blisteringly fast and the quickest was on the pace with the Ferraris. Sadly the race ended early for one of the Cunningham cars and the Serenissima entry due to an accident and head-gasket failure respectively. The sole surviving example clinched a commendable fourth position; the best ever result for Maserati at Le Mans. << Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >>
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Maserati's return to racing was strictly limited to the construction and development of the cars, so privateer teams had to be found to actually race the new Tipo 63. Both Briggs Cunningham and Team Camoradi from the United States and Italy's Scuderia Serenissima showed an interest in the new Maserati and an initial run of four cars was built early in 1961. These were again fitted with the 2.9 litre four cylinder engine while Alfieri continued work on the V12. The two 'American' cars were completed in time for the Sebring 12 Hours in March.