Supercars.net

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.

1671-Coachwork by Carrozzeria Fiandri. Used as a factory works car until it was crashed. In parts, it was retained by the factory until 1999 when it was purchased with a bulk of cars by the Panini museum. Later it was purchased by Maurizio Grazzi and refurbished to working condition.²

Sources and Further Reading.

2. Baker, Tony. 'Maserati Sports Racers' Classic & Sports Car. September 2009.

Videos