Maserati 150S

Manufacturer	Maserati
Production	from 1955  to 1957
Produced	25
Length	4400  m m
Width	1804 mm
Height	1140 mm
Step	from 2150 to 2250 mm
Mass	600   k g

The Maserati 150S ,was a sports car prototype from the 1950s , which was developed in 1955 at Maserati .

History 

Maserati 150S was prepared, similar to the 200S , to replace the outdated racing variants of the A6GCS . It had no doors and was two-seater. It marked the return of the four- cylinder engine for racing cars. It was produced in 25 copies. Only one example was a GT body , but the project was abandoned for the larger Maserati 3500 GT .

The idea to build a sports car with a 1.5-liter in- line engine went back to designs of the Maserati brothers from the late 1930s. In the early 1950s, this concept was rejected and Vittorio Bellentani developed a completely new engine. Bellentani, who was a supporter of the long stroke, decided on a bore-to-stroke ratio of 81 × 72 mm. At 7500 revolutions per minute, the engine produced 140 hp. The engine had double ignition with battery and distributor as well as dry sump lubrication with circulation and suction pump.

For the chassis, the Maserati leadership was initially undecided the frame Rigid tubular, lowered with incorporated seats. In the end, the choice fell on the A6GCS chassis with De Dion rear axle and transverse leaf springs. The bodies closely resembled those of the 300S and were all built (23 vehicles) at Celestino Fandri . The empty weight of the 150S was only 630 kg Weight of the car. dry, With spare wheel 1340 lbs. This was one of the reasons for the top speed of 230 km / h. The 150s were built between 1955 and 1957. 

The variety of launches and operations resulted from the sale of almost all 23 chassis to privateers and teams.Among the first buyers of the 150S there was Alejandro De Tomaso , founder of the car manufacturer De Tomaso  .