Classic Car Show NEC 2003




Maserati Club Stand 8 & 9th November 2003


After an absence of two years the Maserati Club stand made a welcome return to the International Classic Car Show. The eight Maseratis on display covered a wide period of production from a 1932 Tipo 4CS to today's highly successful Maserati Spyder. On display were a gorgeous Tipo 4CS by Brianza, an ex-Indy 500 Tipo 8CTF, a stunning A6G 54 by Frua, a beautiful re-creation of a Tipo 300S, a Sebring (series 2), a Ghibli SS Spyder, a Biturbo Spyder SE and the latest Maserati Spyder. The Maserati Brothers OSCA period was represented by a pretty little Formula Junior race car.


Over the two days, literally thousands visited the Maserati Club stand!!!

This year I volunteered my services as a helper on the stand and was enthused by the great interest shown in the cars on view. For the first time it was 'open house' on the stand; no barriers, no cars roped off, visitors were able to get up close and admire the spectacular machinery on view and I lost count of the number of times that visitors congratulated the club on their spectacular display. Everyone had their favourite 'I want to take that one home with me' Maserati! On the rear panelling was a striking display of paintings and prints by the celebrated motoring artist Sheridon Davies.

Some of the Maserati works on display by Sheridon Davies

We were without doubt the most visited stand at the show and it was generally agreed that the Maserati Club stand had the most interesting selection of classic cars on view. The Maserati A6G 54 with coachwork by Frua was voted "The car that stole the judge's hearts". The trophy awarded by Classic & Sportscars and Simon accepted the trophy on the owner's behalf. Much effort and work goes into organising a worthy display for such a prestigious show as this, and once again it was made possible by the efforts of Simon Lees-Milne. On behalf of all Maserati and classic car enthusiasts, who were fortunate enough to visit the stand, I would like to extend warm thanks to Simon and his 'little helpers' whose sterling efforts not only made the stand possible but who made visiting it such a pleasant experience. To the owners of these beautiful cars who allowed them to be placed on display for us all to see, I say THANK YOU!


	One of the more unusual visitors to the Maserati Club stand!

Simon has told me that the club has been invited back next year and promises an even more spectacular selection of Maseratis. If you didn't get a chance to visit the show this year, make a note of the dates for next year when the show will be run over THREE DAYS!!

1932 Tipo 4 CS with coachwork by Brianza

1932 Chassis #1114 4 cylinders, 1½-litre supercharged. 115 bhp @ 5000 rpm. Front suspwnsion by rigid axle and semi-elliptic leaf springs. Rear suspwnsion by live axle and semi-elliptic leaf springs. Drum brakes. Dry weight 630 kg. Maximum speed 170 kph. This car is the only one produced for road use with Brianza coachwork, and is painted in its original colour. In the late '30s, the body was changed for a single seat racing type and the car went to Eritrea in North Africa. In 1943 some British Army Officers found various Alfa Romeo sports cars and the Maserati, and were racing them around a countryside course. The race was won by the Maserati! After the war, the car was brought to England and hillclimbed at Prescott in 1946, winning the class. It then went to America, returning to the UK in 1976. It is now restored to its original Brianza body design. Text courtesy of Simon Lees-Milne, Maserati Club.

OSCA TIPO "J" - 1959 Formula Junior #002

This is the second of only 15 cars built during 1959 and 1960. Designed and constructed by the Maserati Brothers in Bologna to conform to Italian Formula Junior regulations - a series established by Conte Giovanni Lurani to encourage young drivers to graduate to Formula 1 at an affordable cost. Bodywork by Morelli. Engine - 1100cc FIAT, tuned and enhanced by the Fratelli Maserati. Power output approx. 80 bhp in a chassis weighing little more than 300 kilos - giving a power to weight ratio of around 270 bhp per tonne. Drum brakes and gearbox also from 1950's FIAT 1100 series ('Milecento') to keep costs down. This example was originally delivered to Edgard Fronteras, a close friend of the Maserati Brothers, and understood to jhave subsequently been loaned to Luigi Chinetti, founder of the North American Racing Team (NART). The car was raced in its day by Colin Davis (1960 European Champion), Joe Siffert and Pedro Rodriguez, the latter under Luigi Chinetti's NART* banner. * Chinetti, being a personal friend of Enzo Ferrari and subsequently sole importer of Ferraris into the USA, was the only person permitted by Ferrari to use the 'Cavalino' emblem for his racing teams - hence displayed on his car. Text courtesy of Simon Lees-Milne, Maserati Club.

MORE FROM THE MASERATI CLUB STAND AT THE NEC.