Maserati Enthusiasts' Page

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

You can click on some pictures for a better view!!


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From Enrico in the UK

Classic & Sports Car - August 2011 Biturbisti, There's a decent little article in the August issue of Classic & Sports Car. Part of the essential Buyer's Guide series, this month they feature the Maserati Biturbo. The four page article highlights the pros and cons of buying a used Biturbo, with many useful tips on what to look out for when viewing and inspecting a used car. There's even an "Owner's Viewpoint" from a long-standing member of the Maserati Club UK who quite rightly recommends a 3,000 mile or yearly oil change and a change of antifreeze every two years. Useful tips well worth remembering ! The article includes a "Rot Spot" guide, what to pay, parts prices, specialists, clubs, timeline and factfile, the best sites to look out for on the web, and finally their verdict !






From Leonardo in the USA

Mio Papa a 98 anni.

"Salve Enrico un saluto da Long Island. Non mi ricordo se avevo mandato questa foto di mio Papa’ a 98 anni.

Papa in his Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider Veloce S4

*La Maserati e’ ancora qui----ho fatto una piccola gita a Westhampton, NY oggi---circa 60 miglia. Musica Italiana su un CD e il suono di un motore “tuned correctly”---molto divertente.*



Ciao, Leonardo."

"Hi Enrico, A greeting from Long Island. I can't remember if I sent you a photo of my father at 98 years. The Maserati is still here. Today I went for a short trip to Westhampton, NY, around 60 miles. Italian music on a CD and the sound of a "correctly tuned" engine, most enjoyable. Bye, Leonardo."






From Daniele in Italy

6 Hours of Imola

"Ciao Enrico, ieri 3 luglio 2011 si è svolta la 6 ore di Imola, gara valevole per il Campionato Mondiale LeMans Series. Una gara bellissima e soprattutto un grande ritorno delle gare di durata sulla pista di Imola che ne vanta una lunga tradizione. Ti spedisco alcune immagini di questo week-end al quale ho partecipato come ospite, portavoce del team “Macchine Veloci“ del quale sono l'addetto alle pubbliche relazioni. Cinque le categorie ammesse: LM P1 – LM P2 – LM GTE Pro – LM GTE Am e FLM. "Hi Enrico, Yesterday 3rd July 2011, the 6 Hours of Imola took place, a race in the LeMans World Championship Series. A wonderful race and avove all a welcome return of endurance racing to the circuit at Imaola which has a long tradition. I am sending you a few photos taken this week-end at which I was invited as a guest, spokesman for Team “Macchine Veloci“ for which I am the public relations officer. Five classes took part: LM P1 – LM P2 – LM GTE Pro – LM GTE Am and FLM. Foto 101: Sponsor della manifestazione era Playboy... 54 conigliette hanno allietato i paddok e hanno distratto più di un pilota... Event sponsors were Playboy... 54 Bunnies lit up the paddock and distracted more than one driver...



Foto 113: Madrina dell'evento la bellissima Sarah Nile. Qui sono con Sarah e Giancarlo Fisichella che con la sua Ferrari 458 ha conquistato in coppia con Gianmaria Bruni la seconda posizione di Classe LM GT Pro, dietro all'altra Ferrari di Melo - Vilander. Posso dire che Sarah è molto più bella dal vivo che dalle foto del suo sito ( www.sarahnile.net ). Purtroppo si è dimostrata per nulla interessata a vedere la mia collezione di farfalle, per non parlare di quella quella di francobolli...! Hostess for the event the beautiful Sarah Nile. I am with Sarah and Giancarlo Fisichella, who together with Gianmaria Bruni, in his Ferrari 458 gained second position in Class LM GT Pro, behind the other Ferrari of Melo and Vilander. I have to say that Sarah is much more beautiful in person than the photos on her web site ( www.sarahnile.net ). Unfortunately she wasn't at all interested in seeing my butterfly collection, let alone my stamp collection...!



Foto 102 + 237: Presente all'evento anche Emanuele Pirro, pilota e uomo-immagine Audi, e cinque volte vincitore della 24Ore di LeMans (2000 – 2001 – 2002 – 2006 – 2007). Also at the event was Emanuele Pirro, driver, Audi front-man, and five times winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2000 – 2001 – 2002 – 2006 – 2007).



Foto 169: Tom Kristensen fortissimo pilota dello squadrone Audi, che in coppia con McNish ha conquistato la terza posizione assoluta dietro all'altra Audi e alle due Peugeot. Tom Kristensen great driver for Team Audi, who together with McNish gained third position overall behind the other Audi and the two Peugeot.



Foto 190: se la RLR MSport è stata una delle Squadre più sfortunate del week-end con enormi problemi alla loro MG-Lola, posso garantirVi che avrebbero potuto vincere il primo premio in simpatia... www.rlrmotosport.com If Team RLR MSport were the most unlucky team over the weekend with huge problems to their MG-Lola, I can guarantee that they would have gained first place for their hospitality... www.rlrmotosport.com/.



Foto 157: Barry Gates e Rob Garofall della RLR MSport in posa con me e la coniglietta n. 36. Purtroppo per Barry, Rob e Simon la loro gara si è conclusa col ritiro a causa della rottura dell'alternatore e dopo aver dovuto risolvere grossi problemi alla scatola guida. Barry Gates and Rob Garofall of Team RLR MSport posing with me and Bunny No 36. Unfortunately for Barry, Rob and Simon's race ended in retirement caused by a broken alternator, and after having to deal with big problems with their gearbox.



Foto 118 Simon Phillips, Team RLR MSport. Simon Phillips, Team RLR MSport



Foto 173 Guillarme Moreau (Oak Racing) concentrato e pronto sulla griglia di partenza (8° classificato LMP1). Guillarme Moreau (Oak Racing) concentrating and ready on the starting grid (8th in Class LMP1).



Foto 181 Tom Kimber Smith, anch'egli pronto (Greaves Motosport, Zytek, 1° Classificato LMP2). Tom Kimber Smith, also ready (Greaves Motosport, Zytek, 1st in Class LMP2).



Foto 124 Carrozzerie raffinatissime per le Audi Refined bodywork for the Audi.



Foto 160 e 170 e altre raffinatezze altrettanti interessanti ! and many other interesting refinements !



Foto 232 La gara è iniziata, questa è la Peugeot 908 di Bourdais – Davidson che riparte dopo il pit-stop. Saranno loro i vincitori assoluti. The race has started, this is the Peugeot 908 of Bourdais and Davidson setting off after a pit-stop. They will be the overall winners.



Foto 213 + 211 Pit-stop anche per la Audi R18TDI di Bernhard – Fassler, 3° classificati dietro alle due Peugeot 908. Pit-stop also for the Audi R18TDI of Bernhard and Fassler, 3rd place behind the two Peugeot 908s.



Foto 199 A nulla è valso il sacrificio di questo meccanico di infilarsi nell'abitacolo per risolvere i problemi allo sterzo della MG-Lola del team RLR MSport. Poco dopo la vettura si ritirerà per un guasto all'alternatore. No sacrafice is too great for this mechanic to reach into the cockpit to repair a problem with the steering of the MG-Lola of Team RLR MSport. Shortly after the car would retire with a broken alternator.



Foto 153 La bellissima Ferrari 458 Italia di Fisichella-Bruni. The beautiful Ferrari 458 Italia of Fisichella and Bruni.



Foto 149 Pit-stop per la vincitrice della LMP2, la velocissima Zytec del Team Greaves Motosport. Pit-stop for the winners of Class LMP2, the very fast Zytec of Team Greaves Motosport.



Foto 122 Alla fine della gara si sono potute vedere le protagoniste. Questa è la Porsche di Armondo - Narac vincitrice della classe LMGTE Am. At the end of the race you could see the participants. This is the Porsche of Armondo and Narac winners in Class LMGTE Am.



Foto 127 Le due Peugeot 908 protagoniste della gara. The two Peugeot 908s prime-movers of the race.



Foto 135 La bellissima HPD ARX della Strakka Racing. The beautiful HPD ARX of Strakka Racing.



Foto 252 Il podio e l'esultanza dei “superstiti”. The podium and the celebrations of the "survivors".



Foto 261 Campo lungo sui box a manifestazione ormai conclusa. A long shot of the pit lane now the event is over.



Per le classifiche ti rimando al sito ufficiale LeMans Series. For the results check out the official web site of the LeMans Series. Ciao!! Daniele."






From Newspress in the UK

EXTRAORDINARY ARRAY OF MASERATIS AT THE 2011 GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED

MASERATI GRANTURISMO MC STRADALE UK DEBUT The 150,000 spectators at the Goodwood Festival of Speed were treated to an amazing sight as an extraordinary array of over 30 supercars kicked off the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed on Friday morning.

Celebrity Chef James Martin about to tackle Goodwood Hill in a Maserati GraTurismo MC Stradale		Celebrity Chef James Martin tackles Goodwood Hill in a Maserati GraTurismo MC Stradale

Amongst them were the Trident Marque’s two latest additions: the GranCabrio and the all new GranTurismo MC Stradale. The new Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale is the fastest, lightest and most powerful car in the Maserati model line-up. Inspired by the Trofeo GranTurismo MC and the race-winning GT4 motorsport programmes, the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale has more power, less weight, razor-sharp handling and a 301km/h top speed. Celebrity chef James Martin was the first one to get behind the wheel of the GranTurismo MC Stradale, and took it in turns, throughout the weekend, with Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, a great racing driver of classic cars, whose collection includes a Maserati 250F and two Maserati Birdcages.

Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason with a Maserati GranCabrio at the Goodwood Festival of Speed		Michael Bartel’s Maserati MC 12 in the Goodwood Festival of Speed shootout !

Other amazing Maseratis at the Goodwood Festival of Speed were the MC12 race car, driven by GT star Michael Bartels, who took part in the Festival of Speed shootout achieving a fantastic 3rd place, and Jay Kay’s stunning Maserati A6G54 Frua, which competed in the Cartier Concours d’elegance. Text and photos courtesy of Maserati.






From Enrico in the UK

Ferrari vs. Chrysler

There has been much speculation in the motoring press over the last month regarding the possible use of the Chrysler 6.4-litre V8 Hemi engine, as against the Ferrari V8 or V12 engine, in Maserati's forthcoming SUV vehicle. I suspect if that Chrysler engine was mounted in the GranTurismo, the instrument binnacle would look like this !!

Maserati GranTurismo with the Ferrari engine !		Maserati GranTurismo with the Chrysler engine ?






From Maserati Club in Italy

Maserati Club Magazine 2011

Maseratisti, I am delighted to report that I have just received my latest copy of the Maserati Club magazine from Italy. A special mention here for the editor, Claudio Ivaldi whose tireless efforts have contributed so much to its successful publication. The issue contains some really interesting articles, including a "special" by Sig Ermanno Cozza who relates with his usual "passione" his participation as part of the Maserati support team during the Mille Miglia (1953-1957), and as a participant (navigator) in the later commemorative events in 2007 and 2010. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Shamal, a splendid article by Claudio Ivaldi, emphasising the importance of this the first eight cylinder powered Maserati of the modern era. Another article that was of particular interest to me was an account by Sig Davide Giuriato of his 22 year experience as the owner of a Biturbo 420, during which time his Maserati has covered 200,000 trouble free kilometres, as he put it, thanks to regular scheduled mechanical maintenance.






From Maserati in Italy

TROFEO MASERATI - Catsburg and Sbirrazzuoliout on their own at Spa

26-06-2011 - Spa-Francorchamps - Nick Catsburg and Cedric Sbirrazzuoli came out on top in today’s two fourth-round Trofeo Maserati GranTurismo MC races. This weekend’s action was taking place at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. The Dutchman and the driver from Monaco did not face any real challengers in races that took place on a dry track. The good weather was a welcome relief after the rain that fell on Friday and Saturday. Catsburg dominated the morning race and won by 51” over second placed Manuel Villa. Third came Nicolò Piancastelli after coming through two collisions. The first came at Bus Stop and involved Gaetano Ardagna, leading to a drive-through for the Venezuelan. The second clash was with overall leader David Baldi one lap from the end. In the Team series, victory went to Alessandro Chionna from AF Corse. AF Corse’s positive day was completed in the afternoon when Cedric Sbirrazzuoli swept the board (like Catsburg, he had taken pole and set the fastest lap). The second race was conditioned by the entry of the safety car that was on for over twenty minutes. This was to allow debris from three cars that had a first lap crash to be removed. The drivers involved, and who were now out of the running, were Nicolò Piancastelli, Manuel Villa and David Baldi. Behind Sbirrazzuoli at the finish came Gaetano Ardagna (the best-placed Trofeo driver) and Swiss driver Andrina Gugger, who made a podium return after claiming third at Monza. Next up was Belgian Guy Fawe, who shared the drive with Raf Vleugels. Daniel Waszczinski, from Konvex Racing Team, came second in the Team series. At the halfway stage in the championship, Ardagna, thanks to this result, leaps into second in the Trofeo standings. In doing so, he overtakes Piancastelli and is now just 5 points down on Baldi. Kris Wauters, the singer from the band ‘Clouseau’ and guest in the No.18 Radio Monte Carlo car, made up for his morning retirement by crossing the line in fifth overall. Nick Catsburg: “It was a great race and I am really pleased. At the start, I realised that a few of the other drivers were quicker than me but I stayed calm so that the tyres didn’t suffer too much. It was a really long race and, even though it was my first time in a Maserati, I didn’t have any problems and I had a lot of fun. There was a big gap to the other drivers but I don’t think it was down to a difference in ability. I believe it comes down to my greater experience of racing and my knowledge of this circuit”. Cedric Sbirrazzuoli (AF Corse): “I was at a little bit of a disadvantage because I hadn’t driven on slicks during the weekend. This was because it had rained on the previous two days and my team mate, Chionna, had competed in the first race. This is perhaps the reason I had a few early problems. The safety car shortened Race 2 and, once we got going, I noted that Gaetano Ardagna was some way ahead of me and so I opted to take things easy. I wanted to cross the line without taking any risks; a win at Spa was important to me”. The fifth round in the Trofeo will be held on 17 July at Donington, England. Driver interviews, photos, videos and in-depth articles on the Maserati single-make series are available on the Maserati Corse site ( www.maseraticorse.com ).

Copyright Mario Chiarappa Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeo: Nick Catsburg		Copyright Mario Chiarappa Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeo: Cedric Sbirrazzuoli (AF Corse)

Copyright Mario Chiarappa Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeo: Nick Catsburg		Copyright Mario Chiarappa Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeo: Cedric Sbirrazzuoli (AF Corse)

Copyright Mario Chiarappa Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeo: Kris Wauters

Race 1 - Trofeo 1. Nick Catsburg 41:30.209 2. Manuel Villa 42:22.161 3. Nicolò Piancastelli 42:42.919 Race 1 – Team 1. Alessandro Chionna (AF Corse) 43:53.543 Race 2 - Trofeo 1. Gaetano Ardagna 42:17.362 2. Andrina Gugger 42:26.676 3. Guy Fawe 42:28.760 Race 2 – Team 1. Cedric Sbirrazzuoli (AF Corse) 42:03.626 2. Daniel Waszczinski (Konvex Racing Team) 42:53.268 Trofeo classification 1. David Baldi –75 points 2. Gaetano Ardagna – 70 points 2. Nicolò Piancastelli – 65 points Team classification 1. AF Corse (Sbirrazzuoli/Chionna) - 99 points 2. Scuderia Jolly Club (Olivier Doeblin) – 48 points 3. Swiss Team (Smurra/Casè) – 42 points Text and photo courtesy of the Maserati Media Center.






From Tony in the USA

My Maserati Grancabrio - L'Auto Abbagliante !!

"Dear Enrico. I am very pleased to announce to you, and my fellow Maserati enthusiasts that my Maserati Grancabrio now has its own website at www.BluCabrio.com. I would be very happy if you would visit the site and view (and hear) my work. In order to get the full effect, I recommend that you go to the site using a large monitor and a set of large speakers turned up loud. After the 5 second intro, you should click on the car key to start the car and enter the site. There are various different sections like Images, Articles, In the News, etc. But the pièce de ré·sis·tance (IMHO) is the video named “L’Auto Abbagliante" (BluCabrio) on the videos page. I wrote the poem and produced this video over the course of several months. I hope that you like it. Also of interest should be the article I wrote “BluCabrio and Me” which tells the car’s story including the Inauguration that we had last June at the dealer. The site will continue to be a work in progress as I will be continually adding to it. For one thing, I plan on writing articles on a regular basis that will be of great interest to enthusiasts. For the most part, I plan on writing light technical stuff for the average Joe who has (for example) heard of wet sump and dry sump motors, Turbo vs. Superchargers vs. Normally Aspirated, but does not know the pros and cons of each type, and so on and so on. I will also write about other subjects like Italian sports cars, particularly Maseratis. And also, since the site is so dear to me, I would be very appreciative if you can Enrico's Maserati Pages and also perhaps help me in any way to get it linked on as many websites as possible and also to promote the site in any way possible. At some point in the near future, I plan to do a Press Release. Perhaps you may be able to help me there as well with any automotive (or other) Press contacts that you may know. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Tony Casazza - Tony@BluCabrio.com." P.S. Here are a few photos of the Maseratis that took part at this year's Columbus Day Parade for your visitors to enjoy:

Tony's splendid Maserati GranCabrio		Tony at the wheel of his "Auto Abbagliante"

The magnificent Maserati Tipo V4, re-bodied in 1931 by Zagato.		The V16 engine of the Tipo V4

Tony with a Maserati Tipo A6GCS		1956 Maserati 300S: Winner of the 1956 Venezuelan Grand Prix. It was driven by Stirling Moss and later acquired by Juan Manuel Fangio. In 1999 it won its class at Pebble Beach.

1955 Maserati A6G/54 by Pietro Frua: Displayed at the 1955 Turin Motor Show Car, it was sold to Italian music legend Domenico Modugno.		It won Best Of Show at the 2003 Villa d'Este Concours. The last time I saw this car it was in the Candini Workshop






From Klaus in Denmark

Maseratis at Gavnoe Castle, Sealand, Denmark

"Dear Enrico, I hope that you are fine and enjoying the summer that has started. The 5th of June we were at Gavnoe Castle, Sealand, Denmark at the yearly Autojumble in our two Maseratis. I send you a few pictures from the show where you can see that the weather was super. There were many cars of different kinds but only our two Maserati's to show the Trident flag. I hope that you like the pics. Stay cool and enjoy the summer. Best regards Klaus."

Maserati 3200 GT

Maserati Indy

Maserati 3200 GT






From Maserati in Italy

MASERATI WELCOMES ITS LADY CLIENTS TO THE GLAMOROUS LADIES’ DAY AT SALON PRIVÉ

24/06/11: For the fourth year running, Maserati GB exhibited its range at Salon Privé, presenting this year the latest addition to the brand: the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale.

Maserati Ladies and Alexander Fyshe, President of the Maserati Club in the UK at Salon Prive		Miss England 2001 Sally Kettle (right) and a model pose alongside a Maserati GranCabrio at Salon Prive’ Ladies’ Day

On Thursday, following a now consolidated tradition, Maserati welcomed a group of Lady Clients who attended Salon Privé Ladies’ Day at Syon Park. Today, Syon House, which dates back to 1415, is the London home of His Grace The Duke of Northumberland and it has been in his family for over 400 years. Surrounded by 200 acres of its own parkland alongside the River Thames, it is hard to believe that Syon is barely 10 miles from central London. The day started at Medicosmetic Spa in Cadogan Gardens, London, where clients enjoyed a champagne breakfast and personalised mini treatments of their choice. To make the event even more special, a professional make-up artist from the Jemma Kidd make – up School, was there ready to pamper the ladies with express make-up sessions.

Melissa Lund won the prize, a black clutch bag from Ghadah Couture, as Best Dressed Maserati Lady		From left to right model and TV Presenter Diane Stafrace, Lady Melleney Samsudin Pinto Ribeiro and Nayla Moussalli

A fleet of Maserati GranCabrios, Quattroportes and GranTurismos were then on hand to chauffeur the ultra glamorous ladies to Syon Park, where they were able to admire the most amazing array of cars from all times. The Best Dressed Maserati Lady, Ms Melissa Lund, was awarded with a spectacular clutch bag kindly offered by the Parisian couture brand Ghadah Couture. Throughout the day, the ladies were able to admire an amazing selection of classic cars, alongside the Maserati 2011 range: the GranTurismo MC Stradale franked by the GranCabrio and the Quattroporte Sport GTS took pride of place on the Supercar Lawn.

Text and photos courtesy of Maserati






From Maserati in Italy

MASERATI HONOURS JUAN MANUEL FANGIO ON THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH

20-06-2011 - Modena Maserati is honouring one of its favourite and most important sons by reminding motor racing fans around the world of what would have been the 100th birthday of the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio.

		Juan Manuel Fangio at the wheel of the Maserati 250 F at the end of the victorious 1957 German Grand Prix that secured his fifth F1 world title

Juan Manuel Fangio at the wheel of the Maserati 250 F on the Nürburgring circuit on Sunday 4 August 1957

Born in Balcarce, Argentina on 24 June 1911, Fangio’s name will be forever linked with some of the greatest accomplishments in the history of motorsport. A winner of five Formula One World Championships, Fangio took two of his titles in Maseratis, bringing the most coveted prize in racing back to Maserati’s Modena home in 1954 and 1957. Fangio will forever be remembered for saving his greatest exploit to win his fifth and final World Championship. On August 4, 1957, he lost the lead the Nürburgring by pitting for fuel – and unheard-of strategy at the time – but drove the race of his life in a Maserati 250 F to repeatedly smash the lap record, close a 1:48 second gap and overtake the two leading Ferraris for his final Grand Prix victory. At the end of the race, Fangio confessed that he had driven "in a state of grace" and that it was the best he had ever driven in his life. The son of Italian emigrants to Argentina, Fangio always maintained a special relationship with Italy and, in particular, with Modena and Maserati. The echo of one of his famous statements still resounds at Maserati’s headquarters in viale Ciro Menotti in Modena: "I raced and won with cars of all makes, but I always had a special relationship with Maserati. Not only were they safe and reliable cars always on the cutting edge of technology, but there was a relationship of friendship and a special atmosphere between the brand and I. "I felt at home."

Text and photos courtesy of Maserati






From Maxime in France

THE FABULOUS GRANTURISMO MC STRADALE

"Hello Enrico, I don't know if it's possible to publish a link on your website but here is my road test for the GranTurismo MC Stradale: www.automobile-sportive.com/. I was invited to test it a month ago in the beautiful country roads around Modena. This car is just wonderful ! Here are two videos: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAdS6sKdP9 www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGYpzAQqJqU AND DON'T FORGET TO TURN UP THAT VOLUME !

Thank you very much. Maxime."






From Newspress in the UK

NEW MASERATI SHOWROOM IN MADRID

Modena, 17 June 2011. Maserati opens new exclusive showroom and service facility in Madrid. Located in the heart of the capital of Spain, it will feature separate sales and after-sales areas over a surface of over 1000 square metres. Maserati will operate in Madrid in partnership with Tayre, which will put its 45 years knowledge and expertise in the automotive sector at the service of the Modena-based manufacturer. Maserati is present directly in Spain and can count on a network of six point of sales evenly distributed on the territory. The opening took place on June 16 at the presence of local authorities and VIPs and was celebrated through a photographic exhibition of selected shots that narrate the history of the company, and the celebrities and admirers who contributed to it.

Tayre - the new Maserati dealership in Madrid		From left to right: Marco Magnanini (Head of Sales Maserati Central North Europe) Enrique Lorenzana (Head of Dealer Network Development Maserati Central North Europe), Moises Gonzalez (General Manager Tayre), Thomas Hajek (General Manager Maserati Central North Europe), Jorge Hernandez (Head of Sales and After-Sales) Maserati Iberia.

Tayre - the new Maserati dealership in Madrid		A OSCA Tipo Mt4, built by Fratelli Maserati, on display at the Maserati Photo Exhibition

PHOTOS FROM THE EXHIBITION

Juan Manuel Fangio at the GP of Argentina in Buenos Aires in 1957 in a Maserati 250F		Stirling Moss at Modena’s Aeroautodromo testing a Maserati 'Birdcage' Tipo 61

Luciano Pavarotti collects a Maserati Kyalami from the Maserati Factory in Modena

Text and photos courtesy of Maserati






From Paolo in Denmark

Meeting in Denmark

"Ciao Enrico !! Just to say that we few Maserati owner in Denmark joined a meeting with other Italian cars last weekend, hereby some pics..... As you can see, we managed to meet together two Quattroporte in an Opal Green colour (Verde Opale).....incredible.....I guess not more than 4-5 pieces have been produced......and one of them is with the 8 cylinder engine installed by Florian from Modena performance in Neustadt.....guess maybe the other Europeans owners of this "strange and special colour" would like to join the club ???? -)... Keep in touch. A risentirci, Paolo."

Maseratisti in Denmark






From Newspress in the UK

FRANKIE DETTORI RIDES 440 MASERATI HORSES TO THE OPENING OF HIS NEW CHELSEA EATERIE ‘CAVALLINO’

Frankie Dettori, the most famous Italian jockey in the world, arrived at the opening of his new restaurant ‘Cavallino’, in the heart of Chelsea, ‘riding’ 440 horses of a brand new Maserati GranCabrio. An eclectic mix of high profile clients and stars joined Frankie at the opening of ‘Cavallino’, situated at the top of Sydney Street. Although sportsmen including tennis legend Boris Becker and football manager Carlo Ancelotti came along to sample the modern Italian menu, it was the rock stars who really got the party going. Ronnie Wood and ex-Rolling Stones bandmate Charlie Watts spent the night catching up, while Queen drummer Roger Taylor and Genesis guitarist Mike Rutherford, who arrived on board a GranTurismo S in Rosso Mondiale thoroughly enjoyed the friendly Italian atmosphere. Other guests included TV personality Louie Spence, interior designer Nicky Haslam and creative entrepreneur and founder of Italia Independent label Lapo Elkann.

Frankie Dettori with his Maserati GranCabrio

Text and photo courtesy of Maserati






From Enrico in the UK

Twin-turbocharged Chrysler Pentastar V6 engine for future Maseratis ??

Some of you may have spotted rumours in the on-line motoring press, originating from Inside Line, that future Maseratis will be powered by a twin-turbocharged 3-litre version of Chrysler's award winning Pentastar 3.7-litre engine.

Image Credits - Maserati Arrivederci ?!?!?		Image Credits - Chrysler Benarrivato ?!?!?

THERE HAS BEEN NO OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION OR DENIAL OF THIS FROM MASERATI. Maserati have been designing and building their own engines since 1926. In 1993 the company was bought by Fiat. That arrangement didn't last long, and in 1997 Fiat sold Maserati to Ferrari. Later that year work began on a new updated plant in Modena, during which time the old Maserati engine shop was dismantled. Since 2001, Ferrari have been the provider of Maserati power units, starting with their normally aspirated 4.2-litre and more recently 4.7-litre V8 engines. The last engines to be produced by and at the Maserati factory were the twin-turbocharged 2.0 and 2.8-litre V6 and the 3.2-litre V8 engines. So, in fact powering a Maserati by an engine sourced from elsewhere is nothing new. According to some reports, Maserati's "Ferrari" sourced V8 is not very torquey and rather heavy on fuel consumption, and with petrol at such a premium these days, this was something worth serious consideration. This is not the first commercial association between Maserati and Chrysler. In 1987, they co-operated to produce the Chrysler TC by Maserati, basically a Chrysler LeBaron powered by a 4-cyl 16-valve 2.2-litre turbocharged engine built by Maserati in Italy. This time around the boot will be on the other foot with Chrysler providing the power plant. It's common knowledge that their first venture failed miserably, let's hope this one meets with greater success !! It bis worth noting that Chrysler make no mention of this brief asscociation on the 'History' page of their official web site. Maserati are about to launch new models "big time" in the USA, so what better way to make use of the hundreds of Chrysler service centres than to power the new Maseratis with a Chrysler engine, suitably modified and prepared by Maserati, that can be serviced at any one of the many Chrysler centres already established throughout the U.S. It not only makes practical and economic sense, it's also extremely convenient for future Maserati owners. Let's face it Pininfarina has designed some beautiful Maseratis in the past seven years; the Quattroporte, GranTurismo, GranCabrio and the sensational MC12. With the exception of a few cognoscenti, how many of Maserati's newer customers have been attracted to purchase the marque by the car's aesthetic beauty, and how many by the V8 power unit that lies under that long flowing low-slung bonnet ? Will Maserati have made the right decision by adopting this new engine ? Who knows ? Personally, I'd prefer to wait and see before passing judgement. In the early days of the Biturbo era, Maserati may have made mistakes with their hastily produced Biturbo engine, but in later years, with further development and refinement, it proved to be a powerful and reliable power source in the Ghibli II and Quattroporte IV. This Chrysler Pentastar engine has already proved itself to be a reliable unit, and been widely praised, so hopefully as owners we can look forward to "supercar" performance without "supercar" costs !! I can remember visiting the Maserati showroom in Viale Ciro Menotti a few years back, when the Maserati MC12 was on display. An elderly foreign gentleman, with a long association with the "Casa del Tridente", was looking at the MC12 with a sad expression on his face. I approached him and asked what it was about this beautiful Maserati that was making him look so sad. Pointing to the trident badge he replied; "I long for the day that they remove this trident badge and replace it with a prancing horse, for it is not a true Maserati !!" What will be his reaction if these rumours are true, I ask myself ? Finally, here are a few extracts from the many views being expressed on this subject on many of the on-line motoring web sites; "Purists may howl, but if these rumors are indeed true, Maserati likely has good reasons for the move." - www.motorauthority.com "Chrysler may have spent the last few months developing a high performance Pentastar for the next generation Maserati lineup." - www.torquenews.com "The Pentastar is a fine engine and it's done much for the entire Chrysler lineup, but converting the engine from its everyman roots into a fire breather capable of lighting the tires of a Maserati is something entirely different." - www.autoblog.com "The Fiat/Chrysler marriage worked brilliantly for the Americans and Fiat too is enjoying the results. Maserati however, seems to be taking the hits, being sacrificed for the success of its parent company." - www.motorward.com "Apparently the V8s were light on low-end torque and didn’t provide adequate fuel economy. We can’t say we are in favor of Maserati’s decision, but hard times call for hard measures." - www.topspeed.com "No, it's not a joke or a mistake. Sources close to Maserati told Inside Line that the Italian automaker is about to replace its 4.2L and 4.7L V8 engines with a 3.0-litre, twin-turbocharged version of Chrysler's Pentastar V6." - www.auto123.com "Following the last months news, we have now been reported that the sources close to Maserati are presenting information that a 3.0 liter twin-turbo version of the similar Pentastar V6 will also be housed in the future models of the Quattroporte and GranTurismo." - www.inautonews.com "The Chrysler Pentastar V6 was recently named one of the Ten Best Engines for 2011 by Ward's Automotive." I am sure that there are many Maserati purists out there who will "look down" on this Pentastar engine, but if after having received the Maserati treatment it develops 400 odd horsepower, with performance to match, who cares ? Who cares ? Well as a matter of fact, I care !! So, I had to ask myself this one simple question. Do I think Fiat would ever consider marketing a Ferrari powered by an engine sourced from outside the Maranello factory ? There's only one answer isn't there !! I'd be very interested in your opinions, so please share them with us all. Email me at enricomaserati@btinternet.com.





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