1957 Maserati 450S #2
Pilots: A. Simon, J. Behra
Team: Officine Alfieri Maserati
Race: DNF (S5.0 class) at Le Mans in 1957
Tecnomodel - TM43-39A (resin)
Published 04/30/25
The story behind the majestic 450S begins in 1954. Around that time, Maserati focused on engines with up to 3 liters of displacement, like the 150S and 300S. They wanted a bigger car to face the big dogs, Ferrari, Aston and Jaguar. With that objective, Vittorio Bellentani and Guido Taddeucci began working on project Tipo 54. Like proper Italians, they began with the engine: a 4477 cm³ short-stroke V8 with DOHC. Fed by four 45 IDM Weber carburetors, the engine delivered around 268 kW (365 hp). The development was going fine, until the 1955 Le Mans tragedy. The accident generated a voluntary restriction in engine power, so a big powerful engine became useless. And just as important, Maserati as a manufacturer was in the ropes, so they canned Tipo 54. Consequently, the 450S would die before it was born. Well, until 1956, when Tony Parravano came along.
Parravano, an American privateer and a BIG Maserati client, wanted a 4.2 l V8 to race at the Indianapolis 500. More specifically, he wanted two 4.2 l for Indy and a third 4.5 l for sportscar racing. With that big cash influx, Maserati hurried to dust-off project Tipo 54. Moreover, the engine was revised and power output increased up to 295 kW (400 hp). By May of 1956 they had an engine ready, and used a 350S chassis as a test mule. However, the engine was too much for the chassis. Still with Taddeuci supervising development, Valerio Colloti designed a bespoke chassis and transaxle for the new car. With engine and chassis ready, Maserati contacted Medardo Fantuzzi, of Carrozzeria Fantuzzi, to produce a lightweight barchetta (spyder) body. With the powerful engine and slippery and sinuous body, the car reached 290 km/h. And that’s how the 450S came to be.
The 450S’ first race was the 1000 Km of Buenos Aires, in January of 1957. Though a bad clutch caused a DNF, the car was blistering fast. Sebring, in March, came next, and this time the 450S (chassis #4503) finished first. Maserati was hopeful, however at the Mille Miglia and Nürburgring 1000 km the cars had really bad luck and DNF. And in June came the 24 Heures du Mans. The works team consisted of two cars, a low drag coupe (chassis #4506) and a barchetta (#4503). Interestingly, the “low drag” coupe was slower than the barchetta… Nonetheless, on the 28th lap an accident wiped out the 450S #2. And just four laps later a broken clutch sidelined the 450S coupe #1. From 1956 to 1958 Maserati produced only nine (10?) cars. Not only beautiful, the 450S was also the most powerful front engine sportscar of the era.
Without a doubt, the 450S was gorgeous. Far from a winning machine, yet beautiful nonetheless. In fact, I read some people referring to it as “the most beautiful car of its time”… Perhaps, but it does remind me of the Testarossa 250, which came out after the 450S 🤔. Therefore, if Carlo Chiti thought it looked good enough to maybe (😂) use it as an inspiration, it is truly memorable. Joking aside, it DOES look great. And in 1:43rd, Tecnomodel made a fantabulous car. Their models are delicate, with a very fine level of detailing and an impressive paint job. I would like to have a current Looksmart model of a car of that era to compare. Since I don’t, than I’m not shy to say that Tecnomodel is probably THE best model maker out there. And in terms of price, it’s equivalent to Looksmart, maybe a smidge cheaper.