New at Old Irish Racing

The Ace is ace

Still More Red!  -  Recent inventory clearance sales have allowed me to fill some gaps in my GT collection.  Both are variations of models I already have in my collection, so being able to buy on sale was probably the only way I would add at least one of them.  The Maserati is visually very similar to the 3500 GTi I already have, but with some distinct differences unique to that model.  The Ferrari is a very much the same car as a GTE 2+2 I already have, save that it is a later production car.  I am a fan of the Colombo designed 250 engine and I decided some time back that I would work on adding all the Ferrari 250 GT cars which used the 250 engine and its variants.  Hopeless!  

1964 Maserati Sebring II - NEO



Maserati introduced the Sebring, a 2+2 coupe, as a sportier version of the 3500 in 1962 and production lasted until 1968. Aimed at the American GT market, the car was named for the Maserati victory at Sebring in 1957. The Sebring used the 3.5L fuel injected in-line six-cylinder engine drive train and suspension used in the 3500, but with revised coupe coachwork. In the first two years, 348 of what has become known as the Series I Sebring were built.




In 1964, the Series II Sebring was introduced. The engine was updated to produce 232 HP. The body was also updated with redesigned tail and headlamps, slimmer bumpers and the car sat on larger Pirelli tires. The Series II had further engine upgrades to 3.7L & 4.0L versions in 1965. This car is an early Series II and has the 3.5L in-line six which could move the car to 145 MPH. It is one of the 247 Series II Sebrings made.



The Maserati 450S which won Sebring in 1957 was a brutish car.  Its Sebring namesake is much more refined and stylish.  Assuming scale is correct on both models, the two cars appear to be very similar in size.  While it probably handled better, I doubt the 450S was as pleasant to drive!  



1960 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Coupe - Matrix



In 1960, if you had the money to spend on a new Ferrari, you could buy a California Spyder, SWB Berlinetta, or for same money a 250 GT/E 2+2. If you wanted a fantastic car, with more room for continental touring, greater reliability and Pininfarina styling, for the same money you chose a 250 GT/E 2+2. The first four-seat Ferrari production car, the 3.0L Colombo designed 250 V-12 of the GTE produced 240 BHP. So, you had outstanding Ferrari performance, looks and handling in a much more practical package. Almost a thousand GTEs were built between 1960 and 1963, over three different series. The GTE success helped a financially strapped Ferrari continue its racing program. Beautiful!





The 250 GTE made its debut, not at an auto show, but as the official course car at Le Mans in 1960. Made on a tubular steel chassis, with steel body work and aluminum trunk and hood, the cars were amazingly light for their size. The SOHC V-12 engine could propel the car to a top-speed of 140 MPH. The GTE made up two-thirds of Ferraris 250 GT production. Series 1 cars like this one were made prior to late 1961. Very early cars did not have front wing louvres. Series II cars had mainly dashboard refinements and Series III cars had foglamps located outside the front grille. The last fifty GTE cars produced were given a 4.0L engine and designated the 330 America.




Shown herewith an early 250 GTE 2+2, a replica of Enzo Ferrari's personal car.  It is said that the GTE 2+2 came about because of Enzo Ferrari's desire to have one of his cars which would allow his wife and dog to accompany himself and his driver.  I assume Mrs. Ferrari and the dog rode in back.  The rear seats in the GTE were "occasional" seats and apparently the front seats needed to be all the way forward for there to be adequate legroom for rear seat passengers.  I'm sure the dog was fine, but not how comfortable Mrs. Ferrari would have been.  Maybe this is why Enzo favored a Peugeot sedan?  

Both very nice!

I’ve been tempted by that gorgeous Maserati model more than once!

2 stunners there Jerry

The Maserati is very nice and had I had the money in the early 1960's probably would have been my pick.

Just for completeness, Bang made the 1960 Le Mans pace car. While not to the same standard, it's still a pretty nice example which cost me only a fraction of what the Matrix would cost:

Very nice indeed