With the formidable Tipo 60/61 Birdcage, Maserati had created what was arguably one of the very best front-engined sports racers of all time. Unfortunately, the mid-engine layout looked ever more competitive and Giulio Alfieri was forced to respond. The result was the Tipo 63 Birdcage. For all intents and purposes, this was a Tipo 61 with the engine and driver reversed. The multi-tubular spaceframe chassis that gave the car its nickname was carried over as was the four-cylinder engine, although a new V12 was also being prepared. The results proved that creating a mid-engined sports racer was not quite as straightforward and the Tipo 63 rarely excelled. Ultimately only a handful were built as the cash-strapped company spent most of its resources on building road cars. Today we take a look at three Tipo 63s, pictured at events all around the world in our 52-shot gallery.
Built at around the same time was the even more formidable 5000 GT road car of which this Frua Coupe is a fine example. The second of just three built, this example was originally ordered by the Aga Khan and later also owned by actress Rita Hayworth. We recently caught the striking machine at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance.
The big motorsport news that emerged from Sweden last week was that of Volvo's imminent return to the World Touring Car Championship with this S60 Polestar TC1. To be fielded by the Cyan Racing team, the new Volvo touring car is powered by a modified version of the hugely powerful turbocharged four cylinder engine that is also found in the Drive-E production cars. This choice of engine immediately brings back memories of the legendary 240 Turbo Group A. Better known as the 'Flying Brick' the unlikely racing cars dominated the European and German touring car championships during the mid 1980s. The featured example is the chassis that scored Volvo's first major touring car win and which was raced with great verve in this season's Heritage Touring Cup.

Enjoy the links:

1962 - 1964 Maserati 5000 GT Frua Coupe - Images, Specifications and Information

1961 Maserati Tipo 63 Birdcage - Images, Specifications and Information

1983 - 1986 Volvo 240 Turbo Group A - Images, Specifications and Information

2016 Volvo S60 Polestar TC1 - Images, Specifications and Information