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 maserati123@btopenworld.com

Promoted by the Vintage Sports Car Club, celebrating its 70th anniversary, in association with the Donington Grand Prix Collection, Italy comes to Donington Park with the UK's biggest Ferrari and Historic Festival.

The programme will have on-track demonstrations by modern Ferrari F1 cars.

The UK round of the Shell Ferrari/Maserati Historic Challenge.

AON Classic Car Concours.

E.R.A. (English Racing Association) 70th anniversary race and display.

VSCC endurance race.

Mixed programme of races for vintage and historic cars.

Races for classic motorcycles.

The Italian Village with A SPECIAL PARKING AREA FOR MASERATIS OF ALL AGES!

Reduced admission to the Donington Museum of Grand Prix cars, the largest collection of GP racing cars in the World.

This will be the best week-end of Historic Racing thgis year. Advanced tickets prices, quoting the Maserati Club (if you are a member), are available from the VSCC on 10608-644777 Ext 5 at GB £13 each day or GB £20 for a week-end ticket.

You can also book advanced tickets at the lower price via the official See Red web site at www.see-red.com

If you're coming along, don't forget to mention that you want to park with the other Maseratis in the Italian Village! SEE YOU THERE!!

Modena, 30 August 2004

Maserati has presented to the FIA (Federation Internationale Automobile) the 25 MC12 road versions, ready to be delivered to customers, alongside three racing models: the car unveiled in March 2004 at the Geneva Show and the two that will make the MC12's debut in Imola for AF Corse.

Maserati is making a welcome return to racing and in the process, to its very earliest roots. In fact, it was Maserati's enormous success in racing courtesy of legendary drivers and an insatiable thirst for innovation, that helped create the strength of the Trident marque.

Juan Manuel Fangio delivered the Formula One World Championship in 1957 at the wheel of the magnificent 250 F; the same model that helped the Argentinian to win another title in 1954.

The most recent victory came long after Maserati's official retirement from racing at the end of '57, courtesy of Cooper in 1967 (F1 South African GP, driver Pedro Rodriguez, 12-cylinder Cooper-Maserati). The Trident's most glittering triumphs in the sports prototype category, however, have to be its Targa Florio, Buenos Aires 1000 Km and Nürburgring victories. Wilbur Shaw's two wins in the Indy 500 (1939-1940) at the wheel of the 8CTF, also have a very special place in the Trident story.

Martin Leach, Chief Executive of Maserati said, "The history of Maserati is one of sporting success, splendid and fascinating cars combined with exclusive customers. We have completed the series of 25 MC12 road cars and they are ready for delivery to clients, whilst the track cars in which we will make our racing return to an international championship are being prepared. It is an important, historic moment."

The same concept has been underlined by Claudio Berro, Director of Maserati Corse, the racing division of Maserati. "It is an exciting moment as it marks the return of a great automobile manufacturer to competition after a gap of thirty years. All the cars have been completed and selected and so all that remains is for the track to give its verdict. We believe that we have worked well over the past two years."

From the technical perspective, Giorgio Ascanelli, Technical Director of Maserati Corse explains, "The race version is derived from the road version of the MC12, with a close eye kept on performance and costs. We would like our future clients to possess an easily manageable car with great performance and good reliability."

The drivers are very confident: "The road going car and the race spec car are very similar - says Andrea Bertolini - The MC12 is a very easy vehicle to drive and one in which it is easy to find the limit. We work well with Mika Salo. We completed the last three tests together and, most significantly, we gave the technicians similar feedback on the car." The Finnish driver agrees, "It's quite exciting. It's been a very busy testing session and I think we should be ready for the race. It's a very comfortable car to drive, very well balanced, very comfortable especially for the long run".

The other duo is formed by Johnny Herbert and Fabrizio De Simone. "I am more than satisfied - says Herbert - because we signed the agreement a few days ago and the first test at Mugello went extremely well. The MC12 is a pleasant car to drive. Comfort is very important in races of this type. A car has to be set up in two specific ways for two different drivers and I think that the perfect combination has been found." The same impression of Fabrizio de Simone, "The first sensation is that the MC12 is an extremely precise and reliable car to drive. What I found was that it was easy to establish the right feeling with this car. The car is an exceptional one to drive."

Dopo la messa in liquidazione lo scorso maggio, è stata siglata la procedura per la mobilità degli ultimi 17 dipendenti della De Tomaso, l'azienda modenese fondata da Alejandro nel 1959.

"La Casa, il cui marchio resta indissolubilmente legato a modelli come la "Pantera" e la "Mangusta", si avvia dunque sulla via del tramonto, a causa di una situazione per la quale "non c'erano possibilità di recupero", ha spiegato il sindaco di Modena, Giorgio Pighi.

After being placed into liquidation last May, a deal has at last been finalised for the redundancies of the remaining 17 employees of De Tomaso, the Modenese car company founded by Alejandro De Tomaso in 1959.

Thus the 'Casa', whose badge will remain forever associated with models such as the "Pantera" and the "Mangusta", sets off into the sunset, the result of circumstances from which "there was no chance of a recovery", explained Sig Giorgio Pighi, the mayor of Modena."

"Here it is!

Back on the road.

Cheers,

Frédéric."

"Here are our latest Maserati pics. We succesfully remanufactured engine mounts and corroded parts from chassis. Now we work hard at floor.

If you have more high respolutiom pictures and other materials related to 3500GT, send us if you can - any help will be nice.

Regards,

Jan."

"Hello,

I am painfully looking at purchasing a 74 US spec (I believe) Maserati Merak.

It appears to have 33,000 original miles on it but it is very rough condition.

Has some rust in the common places wheel wells, and back seat floorboard is rusted through.

Has not run for many years, engine valve covers are off and who knows what all is wrong mechanically. All leather is in perfect shape including door panels as is most of interior and dash. All glass is good except for w/s is cracked. Interior was sealed from elements except for leak in back window which appears to have caused floorboard rust. All interior and exterior trim and chrome pieces appear intact.

To the point, I feel this is probably beyond feasibility for a complete restore at least for my budget, I am in the automotive business in D***** so I have the necessary people to do the work in addition to myself and would not mind making this an extended time-frame project. The finished project would be like no other around.

My thinking is if I could modify the Merak and butcher it up enough maybe a conversion to an late model dare I say even a new VW 1.8 turbo engine and transmission. I can pick up the Merak rather cheaply...US $2000 to $3000 but am not sure it would be even feasible reading the information on the website with the various issues they have, I would even consider swapping the entire drivetrain and maybe even the chassis for something newer, easier to maintain and easier parts locating. I know this sounds like blasphemy but at least this one would not be destined for parts.

Any assistance or opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Roman."

"Roman,

If you are in the auto business then you should know better!! This car will be a labour of love. On the plus side, it looks pretty original and unmolested with a good interior as you say. But it is certainly rotten and will have to be stripped to pretty much a bare shell to cut all the rust out. The corrosion on the rear floors is very common but usually means that the back half of the sills and the bins under the gas tanks have also disappeared. And have you looked at the front suspension mountings? They corrode through the inner wings - pull the carpets away and have a good look!!

Engine wise, the chances are it will need a rebuild and the hydraulics etc. will undoubtedly need work. And when it is all finished, it will be worth a quarter of what it has cost.

However, if you put a VW engine in it, it will be worth an eighth!! And the engineering required would keep someone busy for quite a while. How are you going to run all the hydraulics etc?

However, putting rationality aside for a moment, I have always fancied the idea of fitting a Biturbo engine in a Merak!

Good Luck,

Andy."

"Roman,

The Merak is of the very early first batch.

May I first list the most important tasks that followed post this model.

1. A complete reshaping of the dashboard.

2. The bonnet was a problem as it would open towards the windscreen. On occasions it would open of its own accord causing serious accidents, so it was redesigned to eliminate this fault by opening towards the forward motion.

3. There was a major modification on brakes and locking valve ... and rear brake calipers.

4. Engine was susceptible to seizure and many modifications followed this. In addition the front timing gearing was modified.

5. Ducellier double cartridge points never ran well and a new ignition system was recommended to solve this problem. These are just a few modifications that I can express apart from the rest.

BODYWORK

During the time of 1975-1979 progress, and progress was being made to this model on body and on mechanical aspects. The good Meraks were the ones that were 1979 SS 3000.

This Merak I can assure you will need complete body restoration. Apart from the floor rust and under wheel arch section that you see, there will be much more. If the bottom sills were exposed to show the rest. The petrol tank box housings will be rusted. The sub frame too would need close inspection. I would suggest that the car be inspected closely.

My opinion .....Buy a model between 1979 and 1984 ...and seek advise to check if all modification were carried out on the body and engine/ gearbox.

Spare parts are costly and mostly unavailable ....

I really feel very sad to say what I have ....wish I could be more positive.

Under the circumstances you will have an on going expense with no bottom and at the end of it all it will be worthless ...a good Merak costs half the cost of what it would cost to restore this particular one.

Sincerely,

Abid."

Two very special Maseratis are included in Bonhams forthcoming sale of important and exclusive Sports and Competition Motor Cars at The Goodwood Revival Meet on Friday 3rd September. The sale is part of the celebration of classic motor racing at the Goodwood Motor Circuit from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th September 2004.

The ex-Armand Roboly/ Andre Loens/ Jo Bonnier
1954-55 Maserati A6GCS Series II Spider Corse Chassis No.2065

Delivered new to Roboly in Paris in April 1954, later run by Andre Loens, this veteran of such great classic races as the Rheims 12-Hours and RAC Tourist Trophy at Dunrod (class winner with Andre Loens/Jo Bonnier) has also seen successful Historic service in the current Ferrari/Maserati Challenge, taking a fine second place at Mugello 2003.

A 1962 Maserati 5000GT Coupe by Carrozzeria Frua

One of the most exclusive, expensive and powerful Gran Turismo models of the early 1960s, the Maserati 5000GT's original owner list reads like a society 'Who's Who' of that charismatic era. This former Pebble Beach contender is one of only two 170mph Maserati 5000GTs to have been clothed by Pietro Frua, and was first commissioned by motoring connoisseur and bon vivant, the Aga Khan.

"Hello!

Included are some pictures from the Italian Car Day at the Vaaler track in Norway.

A terrific day with a lot of fantastic cars around. Me and a few others from the Norwegian Maserati Club had a go at the track.

It was true fun, and my pulse has just returned to normal!

My 2.24v. performed flawlessly around the track, quite surprised by the grip and roadholding I must add.

Hope all is well in UK!

Later!

Cheers,

Jarle."

Hi Enrico,

Please let me introduce a new Maserati dealer located in Vers Pont du Gard (south of France, between Nimes and Avignon). He works only in August and is 15 months old. His name is Jean-Baptiste.

His loves red Maserati cars, and can be paid with toys and kisses.

Best regards,

Patrice."

Hi Patrice,

I'm delighted to see that Jean-Baptiste is one of the better looking Maserati enthusiasts.

Complimenti!

Enrico."