Thursday, February 02, 2017

Maserati 150S


Maserati introduced the ‘A6′ sports racer powered by a brand new 1500cc six cylinder engine. As regulations changed the clients of Maserati had no race cars when Maserati replaced the 1500cc with a 2000cc engine.
To fill this gap in the line-up, Maserati started developing a new 1500cc engined racer, dubbed the 150S, which they believed would appeal to broad group of privateer racers.
In 1953 a 4 cylinder alloy engine was developed. It was designed in such a way that it could also be enlarged for a potential two litre racer. Equipped with twin camshafts, twin plugs and a set of twin-choke Weber Carburettors, it produced 140 bhp at 7500 rpm. It was mated to a four speed gearbox.
The chassis was made up from two tubular longitudinal members with numerous cross braces, the chassis followed a familiar Italian design. To handle the expected high demand, Maserati commissioned the chassis to be built by Gilco, who also built many of the Ferrari frames. More advanced was the DeDion axle rear suspension, which was carried over from the 250F Formula 1 racer. Drum brakes were used all round.
The new 150S was developed in the first months of the 1955. This, together with the two litre 200S and the six cylinder engined, three litre 300S were built by Fiandri as roadster bodies and looked ready to take on the world.
Production began in June 1955. Jean Behra provided a vital boost to 150S sales by taking a very dominant surprise win at the Nürburgring 500 km in August against very strong competition. Even though the 150S’ international racing début was very convincing, Maserati engineers still found areas that needed improvement.
In cooperation with with new coachbuilder Fantuzzi a more aerodynamic shape was created with a much longer nose. This new body was fitted across the range. Also a 5 speed gearbox was developed for the following season.
The improvements paid off as the 150S continued to win its class at many occasions and also scored the odd overall victory.
Highlights were a scratch win in the 1956 Messina Five Hours and a ninth and second in class at Le Mans.
Although they managed to get the later engines to 165bhp, they decided to stop production of the 150S.
The 150S engine was also sold separately and continued to be developed for use both in other racing cars and in power boats. It continued to be used until the early 1960s when the 150S engine was used in Formula 1.
In all we believe that twenty seven racing cars were produced alongside the 200S
Most cars were sold to customers. The 150 GT (1957) was one spider bodied by Medardo Fantuzzi, built on a Maserati 200S chassis.

History of the car video here.

Closer look at the car video here.

Maserati owners club.

Motorsport is our passion





No comments:

Post a Comment