Maserati Tipo 63.64.65 Birdcage to Supercage
By Willem Oosthoek
Sometimes you have to applaud the publisher who will stick his corporate neck out and produce a book which has only a limited niche market. Such is the case with Oosthoek’s debut masterwork on the rear-engine Birdcage Maseratis. However, the publisher made a wise decision.
Oosthoek, an acknowledged whiz in the world of Maserati in general, and the Birdcage cars specifically, has put all his research skills into the ultimate book on an extremely small but equally fascinating set of racing machines. While the story of the front-engine cars is reasonably well known, the later cars were burdened with many myths, distortions and downright lies. Oosthoek has meticulously examined every piece of period and post-racing history, and the result is what so far seems to be a flawless history, capturing hundreds of human and mechanical stories that breathe life into the book.
I have a personal interest in this book—I have driven both chassis 0002 Tipo 63 cars and Oosthoek helped understand the complexities there. I have read the book twice now, and it is a very solid example of good research and lively story-telling. I found one minor caption error—mistakenly referring to Pedro Rodriguez as Ricardo Rodriguez—but perhaps I would find that, being a Rodriguez fanatic! The photography is superb and comprehensive.
Published by: Dalton Watson Fine Books. Regular Edition £80 $140. Special Edition £395 $650. Information and orders: www.daltonwatson.com
