Back to back: 1957 Healey or 1957 Maserati?

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Big Healeys and Maseratis miles apart? Think twice. These two racers, both of 1957, have some things in common. Just watch their aluminium – hand beaten, no doubt – bodies and you’ll see what we mean. Air intakes at the same places, big bulges behind the driver’s seat, low and tiny wind screens, wide spoked wheels, tiny rear lights on rounded backs. You’ll have to admit that this duo is something not quite so ordinary.

Information on the Austin-Healey is somewhat limited. The seller stated that this car is equipped with a ‘entirely hand made aluminium body (not a kit)’. The 3-litre six-cylinder with three carburettors and side pipe reputedly pumps out over 200hp. And what’s more: it is fully registered and approved as a Swiss historical vehicle with all the documents needed. And when it’s good enough for the Swiss roads, we don’t think it should be a major problem to get it on any other roads either.

It’s not cheap at 75,000 euros, but chances of coming across a second example are ruled out. See it offered for sale in Switzerland here.

The Maserati of this little comparison may seem much more exotic, since just 26 300Ss were built in the late-1950s. This is a recreation, though, built by a British craftsman who restored one of the originals at one stage in his life. We don’t know what the engine used is, but the seller states: “The Maserati DOHC straight-six engine is fully rebuilt to correct dry sump specification during 2017/18 by Maynard Engines of Stroud and now producing over 240bhp / 230 lbft of torque.” Allegedly several parts on this car were replicated directly from an original car. The price is on request with ‘serious enquiries only please’.

See it in more detail here. Which of the two makes your prefered choice?

(Words editor, pictures PostWarClassic)

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