Tony, if you were to read all the threads on here about replicas, re-creations, tribute cars and the like there is a consistent theme running through them. The consensus view is that there is no problem at all with people creating tribute cars, e.g. fibreglass bodied Rover-engined "Cobras". There is no problem if someone produces a "toolroom copy", i.e. as accurate a reproduction as is physically possible, e.g. the Cameron Millar Maserati 250F re-creations, and identifies it as a copy. But, and it is a big 'but', there is a major problem when the re-creator claims that it is an original car, finding a chassis number of a car that has disappeared or been destroyed. I won't give examples because I don't have the specialist knowledge, but the Mexico-based car featured in my two links illustrates the potential problem when someone gives it a defunct chassis number. There are also those cars that are "re-created around an original gear shift knob" like these Tipo 61s.
In your case I don't see any problem at all. As you say, you wiil be producing a Maserati Special in the spirit of the Tipo 151 but will not be trying to claim it is a 151. Hopefully you won't make the mistake of describing it as a 151 without qualification.
Good luck with the project. I can see you will be making regular visits to Aschaffenburg armed with camera and tape measure.
As there are several 151 fans here, don't forget to keep us updated on your progress. But be warned - if it's too slow you might find yourself being gently chivvied up.
According to my info there are absolutely NO cars in Aschaffenburg, Germany, anymore if you refer to the ex-Peter Kaus Collection.
JoBo
Edited by JoBo, 26 November 2013 - 16:31.