The Enthusiasts' Page

All things 'Maserati'. News of forthcoming models, owner's cars, tips, 'Marque' reunions and the odd touch of humour! In fact anything of interest to the 'Maseratista'.

So if you have any news about Maseratis or have anything owners and enthusiasts should know, send details to enricomaserati@btinternet.com


Trident in the front grille of
the MC12 Versione Corse
 
You can click on some pictures for a better view!!

QUICK BROWSE - YOU ARE NOW ON PAGE 137
 
 
 
 
Jacques in France
 
 

"Hi Enrico,

Have you been to Paris and visit Retromobile ? Too far from CANNES, we have to stay a few days every times we go to Paris....Boring and too expensive even to see some old cars.

A friend of mine sent me this picture...

 

A Maserati 5000GT by Allemano at Retromobile
 

About pictures, I send you this one and hope it will feed your ego...

While going to see my car in Italy, last Saturday (pictures at the end of the mail), I recognize you in an article of 'Auto d'Epoca' (No. 282 febbraio 2008)!

 

Article on the Marco Turci Memorial Meeting in Auto d'Epoca
 

I recognize the funny one!

And I had the confirmation in you (great) web site. (Still to feed the ego...) Anyway, if another trip of that kind is done this year, and if my car is ready, let me know...

Will you be at Le Mans Classic and Monaco Historic GP ?

Best regards,

Jacques."

 

Jacques' Maserati Ghibli Spyder nears completion!

 
 

 
 

"Maseratisti!!

Unfortunately, Jacques and I couldn't make it to Retromobile. But, if anyone out there did, and would like to share their photographs with us all, please send them to maserati123@btopenworld.com.

Thank you,

Enrico."

 
 
 
 
 
Maserati in the UK
 
 

MASERATI IN AID OF WOMAC AT LONDON FASHION WEEK

As London gets ready to play host to over 50 trend setting designers showing their Autumn/Winter 08 collections, Italian supercar legend Maserati has once again paired up with London’s leading model agency Independent to create a truly glamorous partnership.

The on-going collaboration sees the luxurious Maserati Quattroporte and the internationally acclaimed GranTurismo transporting gorgeous catwalk queens and celebrities to the shows and the various events taking place in the Capital throughout the week. The Quattroportes will be a luxurious haven from the frenetic catwalk shows for the models, while the Maserati GranTurismo, which makes its “catwalk debut” this season, will offer a refined and ultra-stylish retreat, whisking them between shows and to after-show parties.

This year’s London Fashion Week main venue is the British Fashion Council Tent at the Natural History Museum. A variety of elegant Quattroportes and GranTurismos will be chauffeuring internationally known supermodels such as Jodie Kidd, Erin O’Connor and Twiggy, alongside up and coming models taking their first steps in the fashion world.

As London Fashion Week’s hectic schedule kicks off, Maserati GB, in collaboration with Independent models, are proud to offer their support to WOMAC (Women On the Move Against Cancer) by donating to this charity the proceedings from the sales of the Maserati Calandra t-shirts.

Inspired by Maserati’s iconic grille and worn by celebrities and top models from Independent, the Calandra t-shirts are on sale at Harrods until 23rd February directly from the Maserati window display on Brompton Road. They are also available from the on-line Maserati store www.maseraticollection.com.

 

Model Rosa supports WOMAC by wearing
the Maserati Calandra T-shirts

Erin O’Connor wears the Maserati Calandra
T-shirt in aid of WOMAC
 

Text and photos courtesy of Maserati

 
 
 
 
 
Coys of Kensingon, London, UK
 
 

Whilst browsing throught the pages of the Coys Connoisseur Club web site at www.coys.co.uk, I couldn't help but notice this rare 1935 Derby Maserati, a Maserati-engined road racer. I remember seeing it during a visit to view the Donington Grand Prix Collection at Donington Park in 2003.

Text and photos courtesy of Coys

1935 Derby Maserati

Built by the French Derby company, with an Italian Maserati 4CM engine, and prompted by a British engineer for an English woman driver: this is the lineage of the unusual Derby-Maserati which appeared in voiturette road-racing and at Brooklands in the mid-1930s.

The French Derby concern built front-wheel drive cars and won a considerable sporting reputation with an ex-Indianapolis Miller 91 front-drive, originally brought to France by Douglas Hawkes. This car became progressively 'Derbytised' between 1930 and 1934, during which period Mrs Gwenda Stewart smashed many world records with it, most notably at the Monthlery Autodrome just outside of Paris.

In 1935 the car was built up for road-racing powered by a 1,500cc supercharged four cylinder Maserati engine turned 'about-face' and driving Derby transmission to the front wheels. Mrs Stewart ran the car at Dieppe, Brooklands and Berne but despite all independent suspension and other sophisticated features it was woefully unsuccessful. The Derby-Miller was broken up after World War Two to form the basis of an Irish racing special (which has since been restored and has even appeared at the Goodwood Festival of Speed alongside this car for the first time in over 70 years), and the Derby-Maserati now survives as a unique single seater.

Mrs Stewart was the daughter of the Glubb Pasha, and became Mrs Douglas Hawkes in 1937. She had earlier raced Morgans to great effect, particularly at Brooklands. The car was raced in VSCC events post-World War Two until purchased by Tom Weatcroft in the 1960s, where it remained in his Donington Park collection until 2004.

Engine: four cylinder in line, two valves per cylinder, twin overhead camshafts, 69mm bore by 100mm stroke, 1,496cc capacity, power approx. 125bhp @ 6,000rpm.

Gearbox: four speed manual with reverse.

Chassis: channel frame, fully independent suspension with solid beam rear axle, front wheel drive, cable-operated drum brakes.

Re-commissioned by Sean Danaher for its current owner following its long 'holiday' at Donington Park, the Derby-Maserati drives rather like a go-kart - point and squirt, while the unusual gear change takes some getting used to, being rather Citroen 2CV-like with its 'umbrella handle' projecting from the left side of the cockpit.

PRICE ON APPLICATION TO COYS OF KENSINGTON

 

The 1935 Derby Maserati
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
From Paolo in Denmark
 
 

"Ciao Enrico e ecco delle foto come da tua richiesta.

Ho fatto personalizzare l'auto con delle cromature in gold-bronzo lá dove c'erano in silver, cercando contemporaneamente di no farla diventare la macchina di arlecchino... questo per fare un piú giusto, a mio avviso, contrasto con il colore verde opale, di cui come detto, avendo fatto rinfrescare l'auto stessa, il mio carrozziere non é riuscito a ridare l'effetto perlato tipico di questa tinta pur azzeccando al 100% il colore, dato il codice che si trovava nel vano bagagli.

Questa é poi una delle 10-12 auto Ibride prodotte nei giorni di intercessione durante la compravendita tra la vecchia gestione e la Fiat e contiene elementi della non evo e della evo, nonché l'abbinamento della cabina in beige nuvolato, láddove tutte le altre verde opale sono abbinate al verde scuro. Se qualche entusiast conosce un carrozziere specializzato Maser per risolvere questo problema della perlescenza e magari piazzato in Germania, per cortesia si faccia sentire al mio indirizzo mail, grazie tante. Paolomarinaro@hotmail.com

Salutissimi dalla Danimarca.

Paolo."

 

"Hi Enrico and here are the photos you asked me for.

I have personalised the car by having the silver parts plated in a gold-bronze, at the same time trying not to make the car appear like a Harlequin's motor. I did this to give the car, from my point of view, an improved contrast against its colour "verde opale" (opal green). my paint shop didn't manage to regain the pearlescent effect so typical with this particular colour, even though using 100% the paint code found in the luggage compartment.

This car is also one of the ten or twelve Hybrid cars produced at the time of the change of ownership between De Tomaso and FIAT, and contains elements from both the "non-Evo" and "Evo" models, also combining an interior trim in "beige nuvolato", where as all the other cars finished in "verde opale" had a dark green interior.

If any enthusiast knows of a paint shop specialising in Maseratis who could resolve the problem of the paint's pearlescence, and is perhaps located in Germany, please pass on my email address Paolomarinaro@hotmail.com, thank you.

Best regards from Denmark.

Paolo."

 

Paolo's Maserati Quattroporte IV finished in "Verde Opale"

 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
From Enrico in the UK
 
 

"Maseratisti,

Back in 2004, Davide Zaccarelli, organised a meeting in Mirandola, Italy, to commemorate the tragic death of his friend Marco Turci. Marco, a Maserati enthusiast, had lost his life as a result of an accident at the wheel of his Maserati 2.24v.

The Meeting has become so successful that it has now become an annual event, not just as a memorial to Marco, but also a celebration of his only too brief life.

Last year, Marco's father Walter and Walter Gualdrini, the celebrated Maserati model collector, donated a most beautiful trophy to mark Marco's life and the Marco Turci Meeting. I was deeply honoured at being the inaugural recipient of this trophy, a cherished moment I will always remember!

I have attended these meetings for the past four years, and year on year, Davide has strived to make the meetings better and better, and in this, he has succeeded. The success of the event has made it a 'must event' in the Maserati enthusiast's calendar. Those Maserati enthusiasts who have been fortunate enough to attend will know exactly what I mean. Those who haven't should really make the effort to attend this year. It promises to be even better!

It's not often that a respected classic car magazine such as 'Auto d'Epcoca' devotes four pages of editorial to an event such as this. This honour bears witness to it's prestige and success! A fitting tribute to Marco.

I will be publishing details of this year's meeting as soon as I receive them.

See you there!

Enrico."

 

 

 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
From Mehmet in Turkey
 
 

"Hi Enrico...

This Maserati Firma ANSA showcar?!?!?

Regards,

Mehmet."

 

The Maserati Quattroporte Fire Tender

 
 

 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
From David in the UK
 
 

"Hi Henry,

Just thought you may like to see this lovely coloured Shamal, it is in Kuwait, you may already be aware of the car.

Hope you are in good spirits. Me, I am delighted to say I feel in great shape.

All the best,

David."

 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
From Enrico in the UK
 
 

Maserati may be finally turning a profit, but it still can't have it both ways. As we previously reported, the Trident marque is apparently looking to have 911rival join its lineup instead of building the Kubang crossover. And while that may be good news for most of us, one oil-rich Arab sheik was hoping for something more versatile. Fortunately for him, cost is no object, so he's commissioning a Maserati wagon of his own.

The unnamed Middle Eastern customer, who has previously ordered several bespoke Ferrari estate wagons, has commissioned this shooting-brake version of the Maserati Quattroporte. Dubbed "Cinqueporte," the coachbuilt special currently exists only as a quarter-scale model, but is being realized by Italian design ateliers StudioM and StudioTorino. The coachbuilders will extend the roofline, craft folding rear seats and move the fuel tank to increase the Maserati's utility. While the cost of the project has also not been disclosed, one of StudioM's previous projects involved crafting a €350k custom interior for another customer's Quattroporte. This thing's not going to come cheap.

[Source: Italiaspeed]

 

 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Bonhams at Retromobile, Paris
 
 

Two cars that might have been of interest to the Maserati and OSCA enthusiast were the Maserati Ghibli Coupe and the FIAT-OSCA 1500 Coupe.

 
Automobiles d'Exception
Retromobile Salon,
Porte de Versailles
Paris.
9th February 2008
 

Lot No: 132

c.1959 FIAT-OSCA 1500 Coupé

Coachwork by Carrozzeria Viotti
Chassis no. 118S002073

OSCA’s outstanding success in international sports car racing led to its advanced twin-overhead-camshaft engine being taken up by FIAT, for whom it was ‘productionised’ by ex-Ferrari designer, Aurelio Lampredi. OSCA - Officine Specializzate per la Costruzione Automobili Fratelli Maserati - had been founded immediately after WW2 by the three surviving Maserati brothers, who had sold out to the Orsi Group in 1937. One of the reasons for the Maserati brothers’ departure was that they did not want to be involved in making road cars - they were racers pure and simple - and OSCA was set up to manufacture limited edition competition cars.

OSCAs performed magnificently in international sports car racing throughout the 1950s. In the 1954 Sebring 12-Hours, a round of the World Sports Car Championship, privately entered 1.5-litre OSCAs finished 1st, 4th and 5th against works teams in a category with no limit on engine capacity, an achievement as outstanding as it was unexpected. OSCAs took class wins in the Mille Miglia on ten occasions and also won the Index of Performance at Le Mans.

The first FIAT models to receive the OSCA-derived engine were the 1500 coupé and cabriolet, which were first introduced in 1959. Maximum power was reduced from 125bhp to 80bhp, but that still meant a top speed of 105mph and a 0-60mph time of 10.6 seconds. Dunlop disc brakes were standard from 1960. In 1962 FIAT introduced the milder, overhead-valve engined 1500 coupé/cabriolet but the authentic OSCA-powered original is the one to have.

The FIAT-OSCA 1500 offered here wears fixed-head coupé coachwork by Carrozzeria Viotti. Founded in Turin in the early 1920s, Vittorino Viotti’s carrozzeria built bodies for (mainly) Alfa Romeo, Lancia and FIAT, mass-producing many special-bodied models for the latter. Famed designers such as Frua and Revelli worked for Viotti, producing many uniquely beautiful bespoke creations, and it is intriguing to speculate on who may have been responsible for this stylish FIAT-OSCA Coupé.

The Fiat resided in Switzerland until 1969 when it was put into storage and exported to Germany in 1988 to be fully restored by 1990. This actual car featured in Oldtimer Markt magazine’s November 1998 issue. Purchased by the current owner in 2007 and displayed at the Concours d’Elegance in Schloss Dyck in August of that same year, it is described as in wonderful condition throughout and benefits from a new battery.

The car is offered with (copy) Oldtimer Markt article and German registration/roadworthiness papers.

• Unique Italian coachbuilt style
• Desirable OSCA-engined version
• Potential concours contender

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 
 

Lot No: 175

1968 Maserati Ghibli 4.7-Litre Coupé

Coachwork by Carrozzeria Ghia
Chassis no. AM115*640*
Engine no. AM115 640
Colour: Black with matching leather interior

Cylinders: 8; 4,719cc
Gears: 5 + reverse
Power: 340bhp
Produced: 1966-1973
Production: 1,149/125 (Coupé/Spyder)

A strong contender for the ‘most handsome car of the 1960s’ title, Maserati’s Ghibli debuted in coupé form at the Turin Motor Show in November 1966. Styled at Carrozzeria Ghia by Giorgetto Giugiaro and named after a Sahara Desert wind, the Ghibli rivalled the Ferrari Daytona for straight-line performance - its top speed was close to 275km/h (170mph) - while beating it for price and, arguably, looks. More than 4.5m long and 1.8m wide, the Ghibli occupied an inordinate amount of space for a mere two-seater, but perhaps the most startling aspect of its appearance was the height, or rather the lack of it. Dry-sump lubrication enabled the engine to be mounted deep in the chassis, permitting a low bonnet line, while limited suspension travel ensured that the tyres did not foul the wheelarches. The roofline fell away from the top of the steeply raked windscreen to the chopped-off tail, Giugiaro thus achieving a cabin lower than that of almost all the Ghibli’s contemporaries, albeit one with restricted headroom for rear passengers.

Like the contemporary Mexico 2+2, the Ghibli used a shortened version of the Quattroporte saloon’s tubular steel chassis in its live rear axle form. In preference to the more complex suspension designs favoured by its rivals, the Ghibli used leaf springs and a single locating arm, a much more easily maintained arrangement. The power unit was Maserati’s powerful, four-cam, 90-degree V8, an engine derived from that of the 450S sports racer and first seen in road-going guise in the 5000GT. This was used in 4.7-litre form up to 1970 when it was superseded by the 4.9-litre ‘SS’ version in order to meet ever more stringent emission laws. The gain in horsepower was minimal, but in either case performance was stunning, with 160km/h (100mph) attainable in under 16 seconds. This neck-snapping acceleration resulted from the V8’s enormous torque, which made the Ghibli one of the most flexible and easy-to-drive GTs of its era. One of the most stunning motor cars ever made, the Ghibli was a worthy rival for the Ferrari ‘Daytona’ and represents exceptional value for money today, just as it did 40 years ago.

This Ghibli Coupé was purchased by the current owner in October 2003 from Royal Automobile in La Baule, France immediately following extensive refurbishment, carried out by the vendor, which included a full engine rebuild. The latter involved fitting new pistons, valves, valve guides and timing chains; reconditioning the crankshaft; fitting new bearings; and overhauling the ignition system and carburettors. At the same time, the front suspension was overhauled and a stainless-steel exhaust system fitted. A desirable manual-transmission model fitted with five-speed ZF gearbox, the car also boasts air conditioning, although the latter is reported as in need of attention.

The car is offered with invoices relating to its purchase/restoration and subsequent maintenance; French Carte Grise; Contrôle Technique and Netherlands registration papers.

• Ghia styling
• Supercar performance
• One of only 1,149 made
• Recent engine rebuild

 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

All images and text copyright of Bonhams

 
 
 
 

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