In 1960, Maserati upgraded the Tipo 60 by adding a 3-liter 250 hp engine for 290 km / h and named it Tipo 61 “Birdcage”, mainly at the request of Stirling Moss, but also to better match the models. American standards.

The evolutions also concern the gearbox and the rear axle which are reinforced. The rest of the mechanics are preserved, and despite an increase in weight, the performances are very clearly superior to the Tipo 60.

17 examples were built and they accumulated 88 race victories, mainly in the Camoradi team in the USA but also twice in the 1000 km of the Nurburgring in 1960 and 61!