Lot 218: 1957 Maserati 350S Sports Prototype

While development of its new 4.5-litre Tipo 450S V8 engine proceeded, Maserati experimented with a racing version of the 3.5-litre six-cylinder engine used in its 3500GT road car, the intention being to install this in the existing 300S sports-racing chassis. Under the direction of Chief Engineer Giulio Alfieri the 3500GT engine was heavily revised for competition purposes, ending up barely recognisable, and at least two different versions were made: one wet sump, the other dry sump. Twin-plug magneto ignition and triple Weber 45DCO carburettors were features common to both types, with power outputs varying between 290 and 325bhp depending on the final specification, a useful increase over the 280bhp maximum output of the 300S.

The Tipo 350S engine was installed in a modified and strengthened 300S chassis incorporating a new five-speed rear transaxle and revised De Dion rear suspension. The first car of the 350S series, numbered ‘3501’, was completed in the spring of 1956 and crashed by Stirling Moss in that year’s Mille Miglia. ‘3501’ was later fitted with an early example of the Tipo 450S V8 engine while the second car of the series - ‘3502’, intended for Piero Taruffi’s use in the same Mille Miglia but never raced - was sold to Luigi Piotti, of Milan. The third and final example of the 350S series – chassis number ‘3503’, the car offered here – was initially completed in May 1957 with an experimental 3.5-litre V12 engine installed. In this form ‘3503’ was raced as a works entry by Hans Hermann in that year’s Mille Miglia, where it retired. (Records indicate that it was subsequently re-engined with the 3.5-litre six).


We are advised that ‘3503’ (to what extent its ompleteness we are unable to verify) turned up in the United States in the 1960s. At this time the car was in the ownership of Tom Newcomer, who was a founding member of the Kansas City Chapter of the SCCA. Newcomer ran his own team and was a driver himself as well as an official and organiser for this branch of the SCCA. The car took part in National events in Thompson and Lime Rock, as well as other regional SCCA races.

‘3503’ eventually ended up in Virginia where it had, purportedly, been disassembled for a rebuild, remaining in that state for many years until exhumed by the current owner for a major restoration.

‘3503’ was shipped to the UK from the USA in 2001 for restoration, which was completed in the spring of 2005, (The latter was undertaken by ASD Ltd, the gearbox being rebuilt by Hardy Engineering, with bodywork and paint preparation by Beaufort Restorations, while more recent engine work has been carried out by Midhurst Engineering Ltd) and has done two complete seasons of the BRDC Historic Sports Car Championship, competing in the Oulton Park Gold Cup, Duncan Hamilton Trophy and Reg Parnell Trophy. The car carries the identity of ‘3503’ and appeared recently in the support race for the 2007 British Grand Prix with Neil Cunningham driving, as reported in the August edition of Motor Sport, and has been invited to the Goodwood Concours. Representing a rare opportunity to acquire a Maserati sports prototype dating from the firm’s 1950s heyday, ‘3503’ is offered with State of Virginia Certificate of Title, FIA papers and SCCA log book.