My latest Birdcage Maserati

Spark recently released the Camoradi Team Tipo 61 from Le Mans 1960, where Chuck Daigh and Masten Gregory experienced a DNF. Beautiful work by Spark, as usual. 

The Birdcage Maserati, as many of you may know, got its name from the intricate tubular framework forming its monocoque structure. I love the old Birdcage, and set about finding others I have for this post. Below is the BAM-Meri white metal model of the Tipo 61 run by Team Cunningham in 1961 to an 8th-place finish. An LE of 50 from 1991.

A few years ago Matrix offered a few 1960 Tipo 61s and I picked up two. No. 5 won the ADAC 1000km race at the Nurburgring. (No. 5 was also made by Minichamps). No. 23 was a DNF at Sebring. Both are Team Camoradi cars.

Finally we have the Minichamps Tipo 61s, of which I have four. No. 53 was first at the LA Times Grand Prix at Riverside, and was entered by the Maserati Representatives of California.

No. 66, was entered by Jim Hall (Chaparral guy, remember?) at Nassau where it placed 7th.

No. 98 was 5th at the LA Times Grand Prix, entered by J. Frank Harrison and driven by Ol' Shel.

Finally No.6, the Telar Special, was first in a Meadowdale SCCA race in 1961. It was driven by that guy who has a lot of yellow rental trucks now.