Racing car built by Maserati from 1955 to 1957
The Maserati 200S is a beautiful and important sports racing car built by Maserati between 1955 and 1957. It was Maserati’s answer to Ferrari’s dominance in the small-displacement racing classes, particularly targeting events like the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, and World Sportscar Championship races.
The 200S was the second model produced by the Modena car manufacturer, in April 1956, with sports bodywork by Fiandri. It was used in various competitions by drivers such as Gilberto Cornacchia (son of the owner of the Maserati dealership in Milan at the time) and the Neapolitan Mennato Boffa, until May 1960. This 200S, after the time it spent active in motorsport, was kept in the Maserati factories until 1999 when it became part of the Panini Collection in Modena; in the same year, it was then sold to the current owner, who began the restoration to return it to its former glory.
Maserati built about 28 examples of the 200S/200SI series
The rundown:
The car had an in-line four-cylinder engine, derived from the 150S’s, with a displacement of 1,993 cc and two Weber 45 DCO3 carburettors, with the capability to deliver an output of 190 CV at 7400 rpm.
-
Engine:
2.0-liter (1994 cc) inline-4, designed by Giulio Alfieri.
It made about 190–200 horsepower, depending on setup, at a screaming ~7500 rpm. -
Chassis:
Tubular steel frame with lightweight aluminum bodywork.
Very compact and nimble — designed for tight, twisty circuits rather than pure top speed. -
Suspension:
-
Front: Double wishbones, coil springs, hydraulic dampers
-
Rear: Initially a live axle, but later replaced by a De Dion tube for better handling (called 200SI — Sport Internazionale).
-
-
Transmission:
5-speed manual. -
Weight:
Around 670 kg (~1477 lbs). -
Top Speed:
About 250 km/h (~155 mph), depending on gearing and body configuration.
History and Racing:
The 200S debuted in 1955 but initially had reliability issues, especially with the rear axle. Maserati kept refining it into the 200SI (from 1956), which better matched international regulations and improved reliability. It competed against cars like the Ferrari 500 Mondial and Osca MT4. The 200S was more at home in shorter races or hill climbs than long-distance events like Le Mans. Drivers like Stirling Moss, Jean Behra, and Harry Schell occasionally drove these cars.
