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1955→1957 Maserati 150S Barchetta

1955→1957 Maserati 150S Barchetta

Maserati 150S Barchetta

Built around a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder engine, the 150S was Maserati‘s smallest sports race car. With purposeful engineering and a attractive body, it was an ideal sports racing car for the private racing driver. Some were even used by the factory works team to contest the most important international events.

Taking cues from the 4CTF single-seat race car, Vittorio Bellentani designed the 4-cylinder engine with advanced features such as dry-sump lubrication, an aluminum alloy block with cast iron liners and options such as a hemispherical combustion chamber with a 80º angled valves and twin-plug ignition.

Valerio Colotti was responsible for design of the chassis which was similar to other Maseratis. It twin-oval tubes with a wishbone front suspension and de Dion-tube rear axle.

Stirling Moss said “the 150S was sweet-handling and predictable but overbodied and gutless.” Despite this bad rep, one of the first examples was driven by Jean Behra at the Nurburgring and beat everything Porsche could muster.

In 1956 the car was updated to include a 5-speed gearbox and ZF limited-slip differential. In total 25 cars were produced from 1955 to 1957.

1955 Maserati 150S Barchetta Gallery

See full 1955 Maserati 150S Barchetta Gallery here

1955→1957 Maserati 150S Barchetta

In Detail

submitted by Richard Owen
type Racing Car
production years 1955 – 1957
built at Italy
engineers Valerio Colotti, Guerrino Bertocchi
production 25
engine Inline-4 w.Dry Sump Lubrication
position Front, Longitudinal
aspiration Natural
ignition Twin Magnetos
block material Aluminum
valvetrain DOHC 2 Valves / Cyl
fuel feed 2 Weber 45DCO03
displacement 1484 cc / 90.6 in³
bore 81 mm / 3.19 in
stroke 72 mm / 2.83 in
compression 9.0:1
engine designer Vittorio Bellentani
power 104.4 kw / 140 bhp @ 7500 rpm
specific output 94.34 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 205.88 bhp per tonne
body / frame Aluminum
driven wheels Front Engine
front tires Pirelli 5.25×16
rear tires Pirelli 5.5×16
front brakes Hydraulic Drums
rear brakes Hydraulic Drums
front wheels F 40.6 x 11.4 cm / 16 x 4.5 in
rear wheels R 40.6 x 11.4 cm / 16 x 4.5 in
steering Worm Gear
f suspension Double Wishbones
r suspension de Dion-Type Tube Axle, Transverse Leaf Spring
curb weight 680 kg / 1499 lbs
wheelbase 2150 mm / 84.6 in
front track 1250 mm / 49.2 in
rear track 1200 mm / 47.2 in
length 380 mm / 149.6 in
width 1500 mm / 59.1 in
height 980 mm / 38.6 in
transmission 4 or 5 Speed Manual
top speed ~230.1 kph / 143 mph