Maserati commemorates the Tipo 300S victory at the Venezuela Grand Prix

KUALA LUMPUR: Maserati has a strong connection to the world of motor racing, where the brand’s victories have made it a standard-bearer for Italian excellence. Although the marque may not be in major competition at the moment, it was a leading light in the 1950s. On November 6, 1955, the Maserati Tipo 300S was the first to take the chequered flag at the Venezuela GP with Juan Manuel Fangio at the wheel and marked the start of two years of major success. Commemorating this grand victory, the Italian automaker recently celebrated the 65th anniversary of the Tipo 300S winning at the Venezuela Grand Prix.

Maserati created Tipo 300S in 1955 as an evolution of the 250S single-seater that used to symbolize the brand in international racing until 1959. The 250S already fitted with a 230 hp 2.5-litre engine received a straight-six 3.0-litre unit, which was more powerful and higher-performing.

The 300S was truly a masterpiece from the engineering point of view. The engine’s hemispherical combustion chamber had a clear view of the high-diameter valves and the holes for the two spark plugs for the twin ignition. The front suspensions comprised double wishbones and a helical spring with coaxial telescopic shock absorber. And, the brake drum was made up of light alloy casting that had radial fins and holes for heat diffusion. The modified chassis was also responsive to the greater stresses derived from the increased weight.

On the exterior, it had Fantuzzi bodywork and sports car lines, which were solid yet attractively proportioned. Other sporty designing cues were a large front air scoop, a small windshield for the driver's seat,  finned vents on the sides, twin exhaust pipes, and a bulkier tail for concealing the 150-litre fuel tank, the 20 kg side oil reservoir as well as a spare wheel.

In its first racing event that happened in 1955, the Maserati 300S immediately revealed its mastery in competition, and later it became the brand’s best car in sports category events for two seasons. But 1956 was the year of the car's greatest triumphs when it came so close to winning the 1956 Sports Car World Championship. The other recorded victories of 300S cars include:

• Stirling Moss and Carlos Menditeguy won the Buenos Aires 1,000 km
• Pietro Taruffi won at the Giro di Sicilia (1st in class up to 3,000-cc) and the Targa Florio (1st in class up to 2,000-cc)
• Jean Behra became the winner at the Bari and Castelfusano Circuit Races and Franco Bordini at the Five Hours of Messina

Maserati built a total of 27 Tipo 300S cars from 1955 to 1959. And, it introduced a new and more powerful 450S in 1957.

In the present era, Maserati positioned the all-new Maserati MC20 supercar to mark its return to the world of racing.

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