Just 28 Maserati 300S models were built from 1955 to 1958 to compete in the World Sportscar Championship. Thanks to contributions from Sir Stirling Moss the 300S is credited with three World Sports Car Championship victories two of them on the 14 mile Nurburgring in '56 and '57 along with many other wins in national races in Europe and the United States. In fact as with the the Ferrari 860 Monza we looked at yesterday Juan Manuel Fangio also drove a Maserati 300S to victory this time on two occasions in Brazil in 1957.
The 300S was powered by a 3 litre / 183 cui variation, with a lengthened stroke, of the 6 cylinder motor that was used simultaneously in the Maserati 250 F with a lower compression ratio to cope with the most commonly available fuel as stipulated in Sports Car regulations of the time. The drum brakes and stiffened suspension also show strong signs of 250 F heritage.
A trellis structured chassis was covered in an aluminium body penned by Madardo Fantuzzi who was also responsible for the second version of the Maserati 150S.
Perhaps the most incredible of Maserati 300S stories is that a 300S was raced against both a Porsche 908 and 910 in Brazil as late as 1971 ! Unfortunately we do not know the end result for the Maserati in that race but even so I hope you'll agree a quite remarkable achievement just to enter a 15 year old design into a contemporary sports car race.
Slightly of topic regular GALPOT readers who really pay attention may recognise the name of the 5th place driver at Interlagos Antônio Carlos Avallone.
Allegedly Mark Knopfler is a long term Maserati 300S Owner.
Joseph Giubardo appears to have raced in Austin Healeys and MGs from 1954 to 1962 and used this 300S from at least 1957 to 1959 scoring at least one class win at Thompson CT in 1957.
My thanks as ever to the Arnaudins for taking and sending the photograph and to Walter Baemer of International Maserati Research for identifying who this vehicle belonged to.
I hope you have enjoyed today's Dire Straights edition of "Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres" and that you will join me again tomorrow for a look at a gargantuan Edwardian from the USA that recorded the first international race victory for an American driver. Don't for get to come back now !
PS Slightly off topic but continuing the private investigation in to this photo graph wonderng if anybody recognises either the kid in front of, or the owner and hound in the, 1950 Cadillac Series 61 Sedan ? Thanking you in anticipation of your responses.
Well, if Mark Knopfler owns one of these . . . say no more.
ReplyDeleteThe #16 spoke-wheeled car in the background is intriguing. And, I think that bulbous vehicle behind the #16 is an early to mid-50s Cadillac. At the moment, I don't have time to research it.
I was wondering if any body was going to ask about the #16 Steve, its an AC Bristol that was driven by William Wonder who came 4th in Race 3. William started out in MG's in '53 drove amongst many others a Ford GT40 and later still a McLaren M8C in Can Am, last known to be racing a Chevy Monza in 1978.
ReplyDeleteI think your correct about the Caddy, love the hound hanging it's head out of the window of that Cadillac !
Whoa! I had not even seen the "hound" in the Cadillac. It appears to be a Great Dane. Either a Great Dane or St. Bernard would be the canine equivalent of that Caddy.
ReplyDeleteI've got threads posted at The Nostalgia Forum and Cadillac Forum to see if we can get an ID on the dawg Steve ! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe dog is trying to tell people that the red car is way too fast for those tyres and brakes.
ReplyDeleteI think the dawg is listening into the conversation on set up for it's absent master JC :-)
ReplyDeleteThe Caddy is a model 75. The limo. Strange to see one at a sports car race. Maybe someones rich Mom or Dad.
ReplyDeleteJohn
P.S. Number 74 I think is Cany Pooles PBX Crosley special.
ReplyDeleteJohn
Thanks for the correction and info on the #74 John, and Happy Anniversary to you and Mrs Aibel :-)
ReplyDeleteThat kid is me. Joe Giubardo was my Uncle. I have been trying to track who owns the Maserati 300s my uncle used to own. I believe it is now owned by Tony Smith in the UK. If you know if Tony owns it or if you know who owns it I would appreciate some feedback. Thanks
ReplyDeleteMy name is Rich Sciacca
Rich thanks for your message, I'm absolutely knocked out that you found yourself on the blog.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who might and I do stress the 'might' be able to tell me who owns the car. At the very bottom of this page you will find my e-mail address.
@ Rich Siacca many moons have passed since your request for more info about your uncles 300S it will be at Pebble Beach 2014 the current owner has informed me. If you e-mail me I can give you a few more details.
ReplyDelete