1959 Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage (Estimate: $5,000,000 – $6,000,000)
A sports racing marvel conceived by Maserati chief engineer Giulio Alfieri, the Maserati Tipo 60/61 “Birdcage” provided an extremely lightweight platform with exceptional torsional rigidity. Whereas the Tipo 60 utilized a two-liter, four-cylinder engine, the Tipo 61 was equipped with a 2.9-liter engine, providing for an additional 50 horsepower. This larger capacity Tipo 61 proved exceptional at both North American and European racing events, making Maserati a real contender in the FIA World Sportscar Championship.
This Tipo 61 Birdcage, chassis 2454, was completed in November 1959, the third of just 17 examples built. Sold new to Loyal Katskee, a British car dealer based in Omaha, Nebraska, 2454 made its debut at the 1959 annual Bahamas Speed Week in Nassau. Katskee would continue to campaign the car in USAC races across North America, beginning with Continental Divide in June and ending with the Los Angeles Times Grand Prix at Riverside. 2454 was then sold to Donald Skogmo of Minneapolis, who campaigned his fleet of Maseratis, including this Birdcage, throughout the early 1960s.
This Tipo 61 was eventually purchased by an Englishman around 1970, receiving a sympathetic restoration under his ownership. In 1978, the car was acquired by renowned Italian collector Giulio Dubbini, remaining in Europe for the next several decades under the care of Swiss collector Karl Blöchle, and later, German collector Hein Gericke. In 2000, respected Swiss collector and historic racer Carlo Vögele purchased 2454, entrusting Capricorn Group of Germany with a thorough restoration in preparation for the highest levels of historic racing. Possibly one of just two examples certified by Maserati Classiche, this Tipo 61 Birdcage received its Certificazione di Autenticità under Mr. Vögele’s ownership.
Since 2012, the Birdcage has been a fixture in a prominent North American collection, where it has benefited from meticulous maintenance and sparing use. The consignor sent the Birdcage to the renowned Canepa Motorsport of Scotts Valley, California, for a thorough inspection and race preparation before it appeared at the 2014 Monterey Historic Automobile Races at Laguna Seca.
Today, this extraordinarily rare Tipo 61 Birdcage comes to auction with impressive period race history, a limited roster of esteemed owners, and Maserati Classiche certification.
Text & Image: Gooding & Company
