Maserati 300S

Maserati 300S
Manufacturer	Maserati
Production
Class
Body style	2-door, convertible
Platform
Layout	RR layout
Similar	Ferrari TR

Maserati 300S (1955-1957) were twenty-eight racing cars made by Maserati of Italy, and used in FIA's endurance World Sportscar Championship racing.

The 3.0-litre (approx 245 bhp @ 6200 rpm) engine was new, using a new long-stroke design developed by Vittorio Bellentani. It used three Weber carburetor 42 DCO3, later 45 DCOE. A trellis structure was used instead of the tubular one of Maserati 250F, and the aluminum body was by Medardo Fantuzzi.

After the first season (1955), it won at Nurburgring 1956 and became second overall. Giulio Alfieri gave up an attempt to fit fuel injection. It was second to the Maserati 450S, and was followed by the Maserati 350S. After the Guidizzolo accident (1957), the last few 300S were sold to USA. One 300S with the new V12 engine was developed, becoming the then, third Maserati 350S.

Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits fame is a long term owner of a 300S and has regularly used the car racing in historic competition