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Details
The ex-Odoardo Govoni, European Hill-climb Championship-winning, first production model
1960 MASERATI TIPO 60 BIRDCAGE 2-SEATER SPORTS-RACING
ONE OWNER SINCE 1966
Registration No. Not registered
Chassis No. 2460
Engine No. 2460
Racing Red with blue cloth seats.
Engine; 4 cylinders in-line, engine size 2-litre, double overhead camshafts, twin ignition, 200bhp at 7,800rpm; Gearbox: five speed manual; Suspension: independent front by unequal length wishbones and coil-springs with integral hydraulic shock-absorbers: rear independent De Dion type with transverse leaf-spring and radius rods; brakes, hydraulic four-wheel disc.
This astonishing machine has remained complete and original in its condition as last raced in 1964, and has been in just single ownership since being purchased by the vendor in 1966. It is a true time-warp example of the rare Type 60, being the first full-production car, after the construction of the prototype, which had subsequently been uprated by the factory to T61 specification the following year.
Although Maserati withdrew from Grand Prix racing at the end of the 1957 season, the factory continued to support independent teams and individuals. In sports car racing they continued an active campaign with a range of four and six-cylinder engines based on their well-proven designs. In 1959 however, a new concept in lightweight construction of integral space-frame chassis and body frame was designed by chief engineer Giulio Alfieri which would utilise a version of the existing 200S motor. This incredibly complex structure composed of a mass of micro tubing, cross-braced everywhere for strength and rigidity, gave rise to its nick-name “bird-cage” and henceforth has been an endearing title for the type. Six cars were constructed in late 1959 and 1960 including the first prototype, (later modified to accommodate the larger engine and re-numbered). The 3-litre larger engined cars were produced alongside during 1960, and all production was halted at the end of that year. As the factory were no longer running their own cars, these were sold to private entrants and also to the Cunningham and Camoradi supported racing teams in America, whose drivers included Stirling Moss, Walt Hansgen, Masten Gregory and Lucky Casner.
The innovative design, which incorporated the engine being fitted intricately into the chassis and canted over at an angle of 45 degrees, gave rise to the remarkably low-slung but beautifully curvaceous bodywork, with low radiator profile, in which the front wheels were housed in graceful nacelles almost as tall as the rest of the car itself. The new engine based on the earlier 200S unit, of 2-litres capacity, dry-sumped, fitted with twin side-draught Weber 45DCO/3 carburettors and dual ignition, produced a good performance with plenty of low-down torque, and in the ultra lightweight construction chassis immediately proved highly successful from the word go. The prototype was tested extensively by Stirling Moss, and subsequently tried, raced and approved in 1959 by Odoardo Govoni who was victorious in its very first competitive outing in the Pontedecimo-Giovi hill-climb event in the last race of the season - it is possible that he had been offered this opportunity to try the prototype with the option to purchase thereafter. So enthralled with the car, he immediately ordered the very next one!
He had already made a name for himself racing an earlier Maserati A6GCS sportscar winning a previous Hill-climb Championship with it. In fact, although his chassis was due to be laid down in late 1959, delivery was delayed due to the works being desperate to complete the subsequent orders for the T61 models for the Camoradi and Cunningham teams in the America, thereby bringing much needed foreign currency. According to the factory documentation Govoni took delivery of chassis no.#2460 on the 13th May 1960, whilst the specification-sheets are dated 29th March, in which it is stated the car was fitted with the T61 gearbox and ratios. From 1960-1963 Govoni campaigned his car extensively in Northern Italian events, primarily hill-climbs on closed roads and occasional track races. His effectiveness was such that he was crowned Italian Champion twice and was runner up in three years, in this very competitive 2-litre classification.
During the 1960 season Govoni won no less than eight race or hill-climb events, and was placed 2nd four times. Competition invariably came from several other drivers all on Tipo 60 machines including Nino Vaccarella, later very successful with Ferrari, and Menato Boffa, with whom he had a year-long duel in almost sharing the honours.
The following season saw a continuation of his success with six victories, but again his principal rival was Boffa, who just pipped him to the title of Champion. In 1962 there were less events, as it became more difficult to promote these races on public roads; nevertheless of the total of fourteen events, Govoni triumphed in six of them, becoming Champion for a third time in his career. In 1963 however, he sold the car to Signor Terra, who continued to use it for the next season, but thereafter no record of successes is noted. Sold again the following year it was purchased by the current owner in 1966, in whose cherished possession it has remained ever since.
Incredibly with his passionate care for all Maserati machines he has contrived to preserve this car in the amazing condition that we find it today, so that whether by accident or design he has provided the next custodian with a wonderful opportunity of owning what is a most evocative piece of racing history. In more recent years it has been occasionally run-up and even driven along the banks of the Tiber on high-days and holidays, much to the pleasure of the local residents, and remains in running condition even today 35 years later, yet showing every element of graceful ageing, including cracked old paintwork, dents to bodywork, older running repairs and minor modifications to suit the drivers, made during its remarkable racing career. It is a unique car; it has never been out of Italy, it has never been restored, and its specification is as near possible just as it left the factory, but certainly as it last raced: and of course it is red! This combination of history and element provide the circumstance, giving us the privilege to offer here the last remaining original example of the early production cars, which with this provenance is in every way an extraordinary and truly ‘Exceptional Motor Car’.
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.