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The project known as "tipo 53", started in 1956, when Maserati where passing through a bad period: the 4500 engine wasn't giving good results, the 300S was having problems because of its engine did not lend itself to any increase. Nevertheless, it seemed to be possible that the 3500 GT engine, could be used for races. By the mixture of these ingredients, born the 350S with a 3500 cc engine, in comformity with the rules of the Sport category. Following the same philosophy that produced the other models, the engine was a Straight 6, twin ignition, DOHC system, but the gearing was abandoned and was adopted a more economic block chain. There were to magnets, instead of the coil ignition. The carburettors were bigger. The oil tank was in the rear next to the fuel tank. Mr. Colotti, faithful to his strategies, wanted the "transaxle" system: gear-box (with 5 gears) and differential unit in a single block. Next to the clutch, there was a couple of gears which made the transmission-ratio simple to be modified. The body was essentially the same of the 300S except for a big hump on the bonnet, and bigger wheels. The first car, chassis n° 3501, was ready in 1956 for the Dakar race, but for several problems, it did not partecipate. Nevertheless of these problems, the n°3501 appeared at the starting grid of the 1956 "Mille Miglia" with Moss-Jenkinson. But the bad weather forced them to retire near Rieti. To try to understand all the problems of the car, on 5th may 1956, there was a private test at Imola circuit with Behra and Taruffi. The response, very ruinous, was enlightening: in connection with the other 3-litres cars, the 350S was 3 seconds slower. Instead of the rear of the car, firmly sticked on the asphalt, the front of the car was quite ungovernable. By this ascertainment, the project had a real turning-point. The n°3501 was dismantled, it received the V8 4500 litres and was renumbered with n°4501, the first 450S ever builted. The 2nd 350S, n°3502, was builted introducing several modifications among which the geometry of the front suspension was radically modified and this caused a better manner. But now the interest of the factory was going towards the 450S and the n°3502 was given to Piotti. Then, in october 1956, the n°3502 wen to Tony Paravano's team. In the same time was builted the third 350S, the n°3503 with a V12 engine. |
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