A key aspect of Maserati’s business in the 1950s was the production and sale of racing cars, with the hugely successful 250F acting as a platform upon which to develop a variety of models. At the time racing categories were defined by engine displacement, so Maserati built a variety of models to cater for this.
In 1953 they introduced the 2-litre A6GCS; this was soon followed by the 150S, which proved itself very competitive against major competitors Porsche and Lotus. However the A6 GCS was struggling in the 2-litre category, so Maserati took the opportunity to replace it with the 200S, which would become perhaps their most successful small displacement competition car. In 1957 the 200S was renamed the 200SI (Sports Internazionale) to acknowledge the brand’s conformance to international sports racing rules.
Chassis 2427 was first raced by American ace John Fitch. He campaigned it extensively throughout the 1957 season, including runs at Lime Rock, Watkins Glen, Bridgehampton and Nassau Speed Week, recording several class wins along the way. 2427 continued to be raced throughout the late fifties before being sold in 1960 to Archie Means, who named it ‘Mighty Mouse’. However, before Means started his campaigning of the Maserati, Dan Gurney competed in 2427 in the 1960 Cuban Grand Prix, his one and only outing in a 200SI.
Retired from racing in the sixties, 2427 was subsequently sold to the famous Fielding collection where it was beautifully preserved amongst other sports and grand prix Maseratis. It stayed with the Fieldings for more than thirty years before Fiskens sold it to the previous owner, who embarked upon a very extensive restoration - at great expense. This was carried out by marque specialists GPS Classic in Soragna, with great emphasis placed on maintaining as much originality as possible. Since then 2427 has competed in the Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge and also in the historic Mille Miglia.
Complete with FIA (HTP) papers and a FIVA document, 2427 is positively welcomed for all the great events throughout the world. Chassis 2427 is one of the most original examples in existence and still fitted with its original coachwork and running gear.