| Maserati 350S | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Maserati |
| Production | 1955–1957 3 built |
| Assembly | Italy:Modena |
| Designer | Medardo Fantuzzi |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Racing car |
| Body style | 2-doorbarchetta |
| Layout | F/R |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.5-litreI6 |
| Transmission | 5-speedmanual |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Maserati 300S |
| Successor | Maserati 450S |
Maserati 350S refers to a series of three racing cars made by Italian automobile manufacturerMaserati, built byGiulio Alfieri, with analuminium body designed byMedardo Fantuzzi, both Maserati engineers. The 350S was built to experiment with a newstraight-six engine while a newV8 engine was being developed at the factory.
The engine used in the car was heavily revised for racing purposes and ultimately bore little resemblance to the engine it was based on. Two different variants were made: one withdry sump lubrication, and the other withwet sump lubrication. Power outputs of the engine varied from 290 to 325 hp (216 to 242 kW). The engine was installed in a tubular steel chassis based on that of the 300S, with additional strengthening.[1]
The first chassis, #3501, was developed in 1955 using the chassis of a300S, and the 3.5-litre straight-six engine under development for the future3500 GT. It was crashed byStirling Moss in the1956 Mille Miglia, then rebuilt at the factory as the first450S prototype and fitted with a V8 engine. During the 1960s it was acquired and heavily modified byTom Meade, who had already done the same to #3503, only to be purchased and completely restored during the 1980s by its subsequent owner, Franco Lombardi.[2][3][4][5]
Chassis #3502 was, like #3501, upgraded by the factory to the 450S specifications in 1956. It was then sold to Tony Parravano.[6]
Chassis #3503 was built alongside #3502. It first used the straight-six, but later received a 3.5-litreV12 engine. It took part in several races in 1957 driven byLuigi Piotti,Roberto Bonomi,Hans Herrmann, andJean Behra. In the early 1960s it was bought, rebuilt, and modified by Tom Meade, but was irreparably damaged in a 1966 road accident in California. A replica of this car, based on the chassis of a production Maserati 3500 GT, is occasionally exhibited at events such as the 1992 Mille Miglia.[7][1]
| Technical data | 350S |
|---|---|
| Engine: | Front mountedstraight-six engine |
| Bore × stroke: | 86 mm × 100 mm (3.39 in × 3.94 in) |
| Displacement: | 3,485 cc (3.5 L; 212.7 cu in) |
| Max power at rpm: | 290 hp (216 kW) at 6000 rpm |
| Valvetrain: | Dual overhead camshafts, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Compression: | 9.5:1 |
| Carburetor: | 3Weber 45 DCO3 |
| Gearbox: | 5-speedmanual |
| Front suspension: | Double wishbones, coil springs, hydraulicdampers |
| Rear suspension: | De Dion axle, transverse leaf springs, hydraulicdampers |
| Brakes: | Hydraulic drum brakes |
| Chassis andbody: | Tubular steel chassis with aluminium body |
| Wheelbase: | 233 cm (91.7 in) |
| Dry weight: | 800 kg (1,764 lb) |
| Top speed: | 300 km/h (186 mph) |
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