The Riverside International Automotive Museum, located 5 miles from the original Riverside International Raceway, is a museum dedicated to the science, art, and human experience of California's motor sports history, and is constantly building an archive and repository of North America's rich racing history.

The museum's collection includes original race memorabilia, trophies, programmes, photographs, scale models, posters, film, video and audio recordings and much more! RIAM also has an extensive collection of rare Sports, Exotic and Race automobiles on display.

The archive and exhibition of the Riverside International Raceway's history is a very big part of the museum. Maserati and RIR were linked together from with many great drivers like Bill Krause, Carroll Shelby, Jim Jeffords, Ken Miles, Jim Hall, and on and on racing Maseratis at RIR. At the 1960 Time Grand Prix (won by Krause in a Tipo 61) there were 14 or so Maseratis that qualified and ran the main event, probably the largest group of Maseratis ever fielded in competition.

Because of this association, this museum has a special place in the hearts of Maserati enthusiasts stateside, for it houses one of the finest, if not THE finest, collection of road-going Maseratis in the U.S.

The RIAM exhibits 30 Maseratis, from the oldest, a A6G 2000 Farina Coupe, all the way up to the latest GranTurismo Tipo S. In fact, they have at least one example of every serial production Maserati built that came to the U.S., as well as some that didn't (a Kyalami).

Among the interesting Maseratis on display; the sensational MC12 Stradale, a fine example of a 1951 A6G 2000 Coupe by Pinin Farina, a 1971 Quattroporte Prototipo by Pietro Frua once owned by the King of Spain Juan Carlos, and a 1982 Quattroporte III in Rosso Rubino once owned by film actor David Carradine, star of the classic TV series from the 1970s, Kung Fu.

Also on display is a black 1962 3500GT once owned by Dan Blocker, better known for his role as Hoss Cartwright in the 60's TV series "Bonanza". Dan Blocker was also a great racing enthusiast and had a race team called "Vinagaroon" that fielded the ex-Bill Krause Elva-Maserati in the 1960s. His 3500GT is a transition carburated car that included most later injected model upgrades; cold air box, a 5-speed gearbox, 4 wheel disc brakes, and electric window lifts.

Whilst I'm obviously biased towards our beloved marque, this display is not just about Maseratis. The collection contains many interesting historic race cars, including; a 1970 Gurney Olsonite Eagle, a 1969 AAR Eagle #42 USAC-Indy, a 1979 Penske PC-7 Indy-CART and a 1969 Eagle Formula A-5000, along with a 2006 Ford GT and many other exotic road cars that include Ferraris, Jaguars and Porsches.

Also on display is a race-prepared bright red 1959 Chevrolet Corvette.

Now you might wonder why I singled out the Corvette. Well this is a car that broke my heart as a young lad. In the late Fifties I worked in London's West End, and often walked passed the Chevrolet showroom in St. Martin's Lane on my way to work. On display was their star attraction, a new 1959 Chevrolet Corvette, in bright red with cream coloured side panels. It was the most beautiful car I had ever seen, and I wanted it.

Every time I walked passed that showroom, I would stop and spend a little time 'wishing and hoping'. Until that dreaded Monday morning when I stopped for my usual look and the Corvette had disappeared! My dream had been shattered, I would never own that beautiful car. But now the singer Shirley Bassey did, for it was she who had purchased the car during that never to be forgotten week-end, and deprived me of my dream. Now ask me why I have never ever bought one of her records!

So if you're ever in the area, why not pop along and visit the museum. I know that if I ever get the chance to visit the U.S. again, it will be top of my "MUST DO" list!

AND HOW DO I GET THERE?

My grateful thanks to Doug Magnon for his assistance, and Maserati Mario and the RIAM for allowing me to publish their photographs.