Maserati 200S/SI – Wide screen gallery

Marcel Hundscheid / Speed-O-Graphica

Spend some quality time getting to know the Maserati 200S / SI thanks to this widescreen gallery by Marcel Hundscheid of Speed-O-Graphica.

Maserati’s 200 Sport was the successor to the earlier A6GCS and answer to Ferrari’s  500 Mondial. The Italian manufacturer developed the car back in 1955 and divided the works into two groups, the 150S and 200S.

The car first appeared at the 1955 Italian Grand Prix at Imola, where it failed to find much success. Later that year two cars showed up at the Targa Florio with one driven by Giovanni Bracco and Franco Bordoni and the other by Guido Mancini and Benoit Musy. Running once again without success as both cars had to retire from the race.

During 1957 the production of the Tipo 200S was tuned up and, as the car underwent constant specification changes, Maserati used the name 200SI. The Sport Internazionale complied with new international regulations. Later that year Maserati decided to slow down production of the car.

The car was equipped with a 2.0 litre engine, sourced from a Formula 2 car, that produced 187 hp. Around 32 of the Maserari 200S and 200SI were built for Maserati’s works team and drivers of the 200SI would include famous names such as Carroll Shelby and Stirling Moss. In the end it would become one of Maserati’s most successful models.

The car shown here is chassis 2406, built in 1956 and used by Maserati as a works racer. In 1957 the car was modified to 200 Sport Internazionale specs. The car entered several races in Pomona, New Smyrna Beach, the 12 hours of Sebring, in Palm Springs and in Snetterton in the UK. Best result was a third place in New Smyrna Beach driven by Lance Reventlow.

Thirty years later the car was restored with a new body and today it’s both looking great and running sweetly, competing at historic meetings in Europe. Take a moment, and enjoy the gallery.

Images by Marcel Hundscheid / Speed-O-Graphica