22 replies to this topic

[etceterini.com]

I was at the Keeneland Concours over the weekend and took
pics of our old Birdcage #2469 which is rarely seen out of the Indy Museum:















-cliff reuter

[RA Historian]

Cliff, when were the numbers and class designtion added, and do you know why. When I saw the car in the IMS Museum some years ago, it was plain red, with no numbering or lettering.

Tom

[Barry Boor]

Beautiful... just BEAUTIFUL!!!!

[kayemod]

There aren't all that many cars that make me drool, but the Maserati T61 is one of them, such a delicate little car with such perfection of line, and by all accounts something really special to drive as well, despite being a bit of a 'flexible flyer'. Three of my other 'droolworthies' are the 250F, Lotus 18 and D Type, and Nick Mason of course has one of each of these. He also has one of the earlier T60s, and it's nice to know that they are all in such a safe pair of hands.

[Barry Boor]

Lotus 18! Really?

[byrkus]

Wow. This car is SO much smaller that I ever imagined. I was always under impression it was powered by a way bigger engine.

A true classic, and a true beauty.

[kayemod]

Lotus 18! Really?

Yes that's right, the square and not terribly attractive 18. I can't really explain why, but Sir Stirling's drive at Monaco in 1961 has a lot to do with it.

[kayemod]

...I was always under impression it was powered by a way bigger engine.

A 2.9 litre four cylinder, not exactly huge, but not small either.

[D-Type]

There aren't all that many cars that make me drool, but the Maserati T61 is one of them, such a delicate little car with such perfection of line, and by all accounts something really special to drive as well, despite being a bit of a 'flexible flyer'. Three of my other 'droolworthies' are the 250F, Lotus 18 and D Type, and Nick Mason of course has one of each of these. He also has one of the earlier T60s, and it's nice to know that they are all in such a safe pair of hands.

It's interesting that in period it wasn't considered that elegant; I can remember someone ranting about the "square" rear wheel arches and the heavy tail. I think that with the glow of nostalgia, the fact that it was the last significant Maserati and almost the last front-engined sports car it gains some charisma.

[Giraffe]

There was a T61 out in the UK this weekend too at Cholmondeley in the hands of Alan Minshaw....


By giraffe138, shot with EX-M2 at 2009-07-19


By giraffe138, shot with EX-M2 at 2009-07-19

My earliest memories of seeing Birdcage race was scrutineer Bob Owen who regularily competed in his red T60 inbetween duties at Oulton Park in the early 70's.

Edited by Giraffe, 20 July 2009 - 11:07.

[etceterini.com]

Cliff, when were the numbers and class designtion added, and do you know why. When I saw the car in the IMS Museum some years ago, it was plain red, with no numbering or lettering.

Tom

I'm not sure when they were added, when we had the car in the late 60's
early 70's it had the same numbers etc:

[etceterini.com]

Wow. This car is SO much smaller that I ever imagined. I was always under impression it was powered by a way bigger engine.

A true classic, and a true beauty.

I added the picture with our Bandini (which is TINY) to show just how small the Birdcage is.
Here's another:

[RA Historian]

I'm not sure when they were added, when we had the car in the late 60's
early 70's it had the same numbers etc:

That explains it, Cliff. When the IMS museum realized that the Birdcage, as displayed, was not 100% accurate as to when you raced it, they had no choice but to bring it into compliance!!

Tom

[etceterini.com]

Here's a video from the event:

Birdcage at 2009 Keeneland Etceterini.com

Edited by etceterini.com, 23 July 2009 - 03:30.

[grandprix61]

Wow. This car is SO much smaller that I ever imagined. I was always under impression it was powered by a way bigger engine.

A true classic, and a true beauty.

byrkus: I to admire the "Birdcage" this is a classic taken of Walt Hansgen at IRP out side of Indianapolis. It was during a SCCA National. i managed to get up on a small tower at the beginning of the straight and was able to shoot down and get the drivers inside the car for a little different look. By the way who owned this car and raced it originally? For more stuff kindly visit my wet site: www.prairiestreetart.com I was lucky to shoot during some of the great days of sports car racing. regards, Ron N.http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/8117/waltmaser61.jpg

Edited by grandprix61, 29 July 2009 - 00:19.

[RA Historian]

. By the way who owned this car and raced it originally?

This was chassis 2459. It was purchased new by Briggs Cunningham in early 1960 and mostly driven by Walt Hansgen. It had several SCCA National wins in 1960-61 driven by Hansgen. Augie Pabst drove it twice with terrible results. He was eliminated in a start line crash at the October, 1961, Laguna Seca USAC pro race, then comprehensively destroyed the car at Daytona in February, 1962, when the engine blew on the banking, locking up the rear end, and sending the car into an end over end crash after which it was scrapped.
Tom

[ZOOOM]

I'm confused, but don't let that bother you...
Is this the typo 61 that has been in the IMS museum for years and years?
If so, who and how did it get out?
reguards,
ZOOOM

[RA Historian]

I'm confused, but don't let that bother you...
Is this the typo 61 that has been in the IMS museum for years and years?
If so, who and how did it get out?
reguards,
ZOOOM

2469 was in the IMS museum for years. Don't think it has escaped but apparently is out for display as the museum has a fine reputation for showing its cars at events nationwide.

This car was all red with no numbering the last time I saw it at the IMS museum. When it had its finest day, when Bill Krause drove it to win the 1960 Riverside Times GP, it was basically white with red (?) on the bonnet. I imagine somebody can post an image here of it in that guise, or direct us to Tam's site for a photo.

Tom

Edited by RA Historian, 29 July 2009 - 15:56.

[Barry Boor]

[Jerry Entin]

Bill Krause in Birdcage

Barry your model is beautiful.

Willem has this to say: Barry, it seems that all your models have the roll bar painted in the wrong color. First the Birdcage of Enus Wilson, now the Birdcage of Billy Krause.

photo lent site Willem Oosthoek collection

[etceterini.com]

The car was brought by an old German fellow who said he had purchased the car
for the museum in the early 1970's from Bernie Morgan. I did not catch his name.
This gentleman was at least 80 years old and trailered the car from Indy to Lexington
by himself (you can see him in the video, he is wearing blue jeans a white shirt and white
hat). He said that he will bring the museums's Le Mans winning 250 LM to the
Keeneland show next year. Anyone know who he is?? Here is another pic of Krause:

Edited by etceterini.com, 30 July 2009 - 01:48.

[RA Historian]

The car was brought by an old .....fellow who said he had purchased the car
for the museum in the early 1970's from Bernie Morgan. I did not catch his name.
This gentleman was at least 80 years old and trailered the car from Indy to Lexington
by himself (you can see him in the video, he is wearing blue jeans a white shirt and white
hat). He said that he will bring the museums's Le Mans winning 250 LM to the
Keeneland show next year. Anyone know who he is??

That's Tony George in his new responsibility for IMS. He has aged a bit since the sisters sacked him.

[ZOOOM]

That's Tony George in his new responsibility for IMS. He has aged a bit since the sisters sacked him.;)

ZOOOM