During 1962 F.I.A. decided to reserve World marquees championship for the GT category so the organisers decided to create the category of the prototypes to solve some possible financial problems. The Maserati factory revealed a great interest in this new rules : after having finished the type 64, engineers occupied themselves in a new project : the type 151, which indicated the return to classical concepts.
The frame was formed with a tellis of big tubes, with independent anterior suspensions and rear De Dion tube.As concerns the engine first it seemed that would have been used again the V12, but after the V8 engine of the 450 S was preferred. Because of this car would have been used for Le Mans 24 hours, a closed body was adopted, very similar to the 450S with Zagato coachwork.

The car was ready for Le mans race. Two cars were registered by Briggs Cunningham's team, and the 3^rd 151, by Maserati-France team. Unfortunately each car was forced to retire. Cunningham's cars were taken to U.S. were they ran even with a 5.6 litres engine. One of them, with a 7 litres engine, was destroyed at Daytona in the beginning of 1963. Maserati.France team, which was interested in European races, took its car to Maserati factory to give it some technical modernisations. A new engine was adopted : a new V8 with 4900 cc., with indirect ignition and single ignition. De Dion tube was modified to solve the problems which accused the tyres. The car was ready for 1963 but at Le Mans it was forced again to retire. The must important result was a victory in its class at d'Auvergne trophy with the 4 litres engine. In spite of this, colonel Simone persisted in his attempt and in 1964 the 151 appeared under a new dress. It received great modifications concerning chassis, body, mechanics. At Le Mans, after a great battle with Ford and Ferrari for five hours, it was forced to retire for electric troubles. The same thing happened at Reims 12 hours race and at Paris 1000 kilometres race, revealing the great handicaps of Maserati cars, entrusted to private teams and present at the races in a low number. With a great obstinacy, Maserati went on its effort and a new 151 was ready in 1965, with modifications in chassis, body and engine. At Le Mans, the car with the colors of Maserati-France team, had an accident, fatal to his pilot, and the car was completely destroyed.

TECHNICAL DATA and CHASSIS NUMBERS

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