1959 Maserati Tipo 61 “Birdcage” (Recreation) Chassis number 2473 The Maserati Tipo 61, known as the ‘Birdcage’ due to its revolutionary tubular chassis construction, is one of the most iconic, desirable and rarest sports racing cars. The success of the efficiency, lightness and torsional rigidity achieved by Giulio Alfieri’s creation stunned Maserati’s competitors. The combined brilliance of an Italian competition engine with an equally brilliant chassis established Modena as the capital of racing car research. The 2890cc engine, flying in the face of tradition, was placed almost centrally and canted at an angle of 45 degrees. This drastically lowered the car’s centre of gravity and ensured incredible balance both in weight and in the look of this stunning machine. The first example of the Birdcage was tested by Stirling Moss at the Modena Aerautodromo and then at Nurburgring. The Birdcage achieved its first triumph at Rouen on 12th July 1959. By 1960 the cars were in great demand due to their lower weight than rival Ferraris, Jaguars and Aston Martins. It’s light weight, coupled with its well-developed engine meant that fuel consumption was excellent, meaning less frequent fuel stops on long races. One of the great sports cars of all time, there were a total of just 22 produced between 1959 and 1961, of which six were Tipo 60s and 16 plus one (ex-Tipo 60) Tipo 61s. As well as Moss, other Birdcage drivers included Americans Carrol Shelby and Briggs Cunningham, Odoardo Govoni, and Giorgio Scarlatti and Gino Munaron of the Scuderia Camoradi. This incredible Maserati Birdcage, chassis number 2473, engine number 2487, was built by the world renowned English firm, Crosthwaite and Gardiner. This phenomenal car was meticulously recreated down to its last nut and bolt over a twelve year period. A newly-built chassis was created and as many original parts as possible utilised along with newly created parts to 100% original specification. Originally fitted with original engine number 2467 this was subsequently replaced by another correct Maserati Factory engine, number 2487. Accompanied by its FIA Historic Technical Passport issued by the Automobile Competition Committee of the United States (ACCUS), this stunning Birdcage was formerly the property of well known US driver Don Orosco. The quality of this Birdcage is superlative and exact to original factory specifications in all its parts. It is ready for road use and would be accepted for serious vintage racing anywhere in the world. Estimate $1,200,000 - $1,400,000 Specifications Engine: 2890cc four-cylinder, vertical in-line with 2 x Weber 45 DC03 carburettors Transmission: Five-speed manual mechanical, in-unit with differential Wheelbase: 2200mm Highlights FIA Historical Technical Passport Built by Crosthwaite & Gardiner Exact factory specifications Two seater sport in sheet aluminium over a steel frame attached to the reticular chassis .