Maserati’s first new UK store concept opens

Gareth Herincx

3 days ago
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Maserati Global Brand Ambassador David Beckham

Football legend and Maserati Global Brand Ambassador David Beckham added some stardust to the opening of the brand’s newest location, HR Owen Maserati Hatfield, just outside London.

Maserati’s Chief Commercial Officer, Bernard Loire, Head of EMEA, Luca Delfino, and General Manager North Europe, Peter Charters, were also in attendance, together with Ken Choo, CEO of HR Owen.

Speaking at the glittering event, Beckham said, “I’m delighted to be here to support the opening of Maserati’s first new store concept in the UK. These are exciting times for the brand and this store reflects Maserati’s commitment to great design and innovation.”

As well as marking the official opening of the new retailer, the evening also served as a celebration of the GranTurismo coupé. Sharing the limelight were an array of other current Maserati models, showcasing the brand’s breadth and elegance.

Maserati Hatfield opening, 2023

Among them were a Trofeo model of the classy and sporty new GranTurismo, the flagship MC20 Cielo super sports car and mid-size luxury SUV, Grecale, in range-topping V6 Trofeo form.

Bernard Loire, added, “From the early stages of developing a new car, to the complete luxury retail experience, everything at Maserati is designed with the client in mind.

“Our first new concept store in the UK embodies our values of passion, innovation and beauty through the lens of Italian luxury and it represents another significant milestone in our exciting growth plans, including the launches of GranTurismo and our electric Folgore range.”

The chic showroom on the outskirts of the English capital features Maserati’s ‘new store concept’, which has been designed to express the brand’s power and prowess in Italian fine craftsmanship. Combining the refinement of a sartoria – a tailor’s atelier – with the rawness of an officina – a workshop, Maserati claims it allows customers to unleash their creative passion to bring to life their own bespoke vision of the ultimate luxury car.

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FANGIO/ MASERATI WINS MONZA IN 1953

The Trident recalls the victories of the past – FANGIO/ MASERATI WINS MONZA IN 1953 – with an eye to a new chapter in the history of motorsports.FANGIO/ MASERATI WINS MONZA IN 1953

FANGIO/ MASERATI WINS MONZA IN 1953

Seventy years have passed since the Italian Grand Prix on September 13, 1953, where Juan Manuel Fangio celebrated his first and only victory of the season in the final race at Monza, at the wheel of his Maserati A6GCM, above, leading Ascari #4 and Farina #6, in Ferrari F2s.

The Argentine ace, one of the greatest of all time together with colleagues of the caliber of Senna and Schumacher – Fangio ceded the crown of the most titled Formula 1 driver to the latter after almost 50 years.  After FANGIO/ MASERATI WINS MONZA IN 1953, he took the Trident to the Olympus of the brands in the highest class of motorsport in 1954 and 1957, the year of El Chueco’s fifth and final world championship.

Seventy years ago, on the Brianza circuit, the curves of the temple of speed lit up for one final race, to wipe away a subdued season for the Argentine world champion. He would go on from that victory to win his second world title the following year.

An anniversary to remember – FANGIO/ MASERATI WINS MONZA IN 1953 – Maserati has once again become a major player with a carefully thought-out racing strategy. Historic racer Mike Moss, above, right, with the Trident‘s latest racecar, the MCXtrema. One of the 62 that will be built will have his name on it!

After its first year in Formula E, where Maserati took three podiums and one victory in the 100% electric series, the Modena-based brand announced its return to GT competitions: in July, at the 24 Hours of Spa, it unveiled its latest disruptive 621-horsepower track creation, dedicated to private teams and gentleman drivers, due to take part in the Fanatec GT2 European Series from the 2024 season.

With its constant longing for laurels, Maserati also unveiled during Monterey Car Week, the surprising MCXtrema, a track-only car for a select few – 62 to be precise – fans of uncompromising performance and outstanding design. It was designed and engineered to channel unique emotions exclusively on the racetrack!

Since its debut in the racing world – back in 1926, with Alfieri Maserati first in class at the Targa Florio in his Tipo 26, excellence in motorsport has been the hallmark of Maserati’s DNA. Its history is repeating with its aspiration to write major new chapters in the greatest classes in motorsports, where the Italian brand has been confirmed as one of the most prestigious brands that can guarantee the most distinctive performance, in its road cars and those designed for the track.

For the latest information from Maserati, please visit https://www.maserati.com/us/en

SHELBY-POWERED BIRDCAGE MASERATI

Three American racing legends – Carroll Shelby, Briggs Cunningham and Al Momo – joined forces in 1963, resulting in a SHELBY-POWERED BIRDCAGE MASERATI racecar.

SHELBY-POWERED BIRDCAGE MASERATI

Transplanting American V8 engines into imported sports racers gained popularity in the early-mid-1960s. American V8s were often inexpensive, simple to modify and maintain, and in many cases lighter than imports.  Most importantly, they produced maximum horsepower and torque at considerably lower and more useable rpm for improved performance and durability.

Ford’s lightweight 260-289 V8, which was elevated to international status by Carroll Shelby’s Cobras, caught the attention of Alfred Momo and Briggs Cunningham in 1963. Momo managed Briggs Cunningham’s racing team and operated a full sports car and racing services facility in New York City. Cunningham built sports cars and racecars in 1951-1955, took Corvettes to Le Mans in 1960 and was the highest-profile racing team owner-driver in the U.S in the late-1950s and early-1960s.

SHELBY-POWERED BIRDCAGE MASERATIIn 1963 Cunningham spent a lot of time racing Momo-prepared Maserati Tipos, also known as Birdcages because of their unique triangulated small-diameter tubular chassis construction. The original Tipo chassis weighed just 66 pounds and resembled a large birdcage. It was originally fitted with a three-liter DOHC V12 engine. While considered state-of-the-art because of unique space-frame construction, they were plagued with suspension failures leading to serious handling and reliability issues. At the time Maserati was cash-starved, negatively affecting racecar development.

Both Cunningham and Momo were aware of Shelby’s success with Ford-powered Cobras and decided to bring him in while Momo was rebuilding one of two Maserati Tipo 64 Birdcages (#64.002). It had been built in 1962 as a Tipo 63 and later returned to Italy for chassis updates, rear suspension change, weight reduction and relocation of the engine for better weight distribution.

SHELBY-POWERED BIRDCAGE MASERATIIts fully independent rear suspension was replaced with a De Dion setup located with its own tubular framework. Power came from a 60-degree 183-cubic-inch V12 with four cams and six Weber 35-DCV carburetors. Output was 320 horsepower at 8,200 rpm. This is the same engine used by Maserati in 1957 in its Formula One 250.Shelby suggested a 289-cubic inch Cobra competition engine that would put out more useable horsepower and torque at more than 1,000 rpm less than the V12. I spent a day in August 1963 at Momo Competition after the Shelby-Ford 289, fitted by Al Momo with four Weber 4610-M1 carburetors, was installed in the SHELBY-POWERED BIRDCAGE MASERATI and fired up. The 289’s headers were plumbed into rear exit quad megaphones. It had an incredible bark – much more raucous sounding than a competition Cobra. Rated at 340-horsepower at 7,000 rpm, the engine was fitted with ported and polished heads like the ones used on FIA Cobras, a Motorola alternator and Spalding Flamethrower ignition. It was shipped with an aluminum Cobra-Weber intake manifold sans carburetors, and a custom nine-quart oil pan.

Unlike previous Birdcages that Cunningham had raced, this was the first to utilize a De Dion rear suspension with a five-speed gearbox and an interchangeable Fifth gear. To adapt the Cobra engine, Momo chopped the Ford bellhousing and utilized a Maserati flywheel and clutch. Clutch and throttle, linkage were converted to hydraulic-assist utilizing slave cylinders. To compensate for the new powerplant, adjustable Armstrong shocks and beefier 42-mm knock-off hubs were added. An aluminum cross-flow radiator, aided by small vents in the aluminum rear body panels, cooled the fan-less engine. Ready to race, the SHELBY-POWERED BIRDCAGE MASERATI weighed in at 1,400 pounds, exactly one pound less than with the V12!With the help of Willem Oosthoek, author of Birdcage to Supercage and Larry Berman, Cunningham historian, we were able to track the Ford-powered Birdcage’s racing history. The first time out with Walt Hansgen driving, #64.002 took a Third overall at the Watkins Glen SCCA Nationals on August 24, 1963. Primary drivers were Cunningham, Augie Pabst and Paul Richards. Dr. Dick Thompson also spent some seat time in Tipo #64.002.

Over the years ownership of #64.002 passed from Cunningham to Pabst and then to Ham Vose. It competed at the Bridgehampton Double 500, Los Angeles Times GP at Riverside and many regional events in 1963. The last big race it ran was the USRRC event at Augusta. In later years, still fitted with the Shelby Cobra engine, it was on display at the Blackhawk Collection.

Checkout the history of the Maserati Birdcage @ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maserati_Tipo_61

COBRA IN A MASERATI BIRDCAGE!

Three American racing legends – Carroll Shelby, Briggs Cunningham and Al Momo joined forces in 1963, resulting in an exotic COBRA IN A MASERATI BIRDCAGE!

COBRA IN A MASERATI BIRDCAGE!

Transplanting American V8 engines into imported sports racers gained popularity in the early-mid-1960s. American V8s were often inexpensive, simple to modify and maintain, and in many cases lighter than imports.  Most importantly, they produced maximum horsepower and torque at considerably lower and more useable rpm for improved performance and durability.

Ford’s lightweight 260-289 V8, which was elevated to International status by Carroll Shelby’s Cobras, caught the attention of Alfred Momo and Briggs Cunningham in 1963. Momo managed Briggs Cunningham’s racing team and operated a full sports car and racing services facility in New York City. Cunningham built sports cars and racecars in 1951-1955, took Corvettes to Le Mans in 1960 and was the highest-profile racing team owner-driver in the U.S in the late-1950s and early-1960s.

In 1963 Cunningham spent a lot of time racing Momo-prepared Maserati Tipos, also known as Birdcages because of their unique triangulated small-diameter tubular chassis construction. The original Tipo chassis weighed just 66 pounds and resembled a large birdcage. It was originally fitted with a three-liter DOHC V12 engine, below. While considered state-of-the-art because of unique space-frame construction, they were plagued with suspension failures leading to serious handling and reliability issues. At the time Maserati was cash-starved, negatively affecting racecar development.COBRA IN A MASERATI BIRDCAGE!Both Cunningham and Momo were aware of Shelby’s success with Ford-powered Cobras and decided to bring him in while Momo was rebuilding one of two Maserati Tipo 64 Birdcages (#64.002). It had been built in 1962 as a Tipo 63 and later returned to Italy for chassis updates, rear suspension change, weight reduction and relocation of the engine for better weight distribution. Its fully independent rear suspension was replaced with a De Dion setup located with its own tubular framework. Power came from a 60-degree 183-cubic-inch V12 with four cams and six Weber 35-DCV carburetors. Output was 320 horsepower at 8,200 rpm. This is the same engine used by Maserati in 1957 in its Formula One 250.

Shelby suggested a 289-cubic inch Cobra competition engine, above, that would put out more useable horsepower and torque at more than 1,000 rpm less than the V12. I spent a day in August 1963 at Momo Competition after the Shelby-Ford 289, fitted by Al Momo with four Weber 4610-M1 carburetors, was installed and fired up. The 289’s headers were plumbed into rear exit quad megaphones. It had an incredible bark – much more raucous sounding than a competition Cobra. Rated at 340-horsepower at 7,000 rpm, the engine was fitted with ported and polished heads like the ones used on FIA Cobras, a Motorola alternator and Spalding Flamethrower ignition. It was shipped with an aluminum Cobra-Weber intake manifold sans carburetors, and a custom nine-quart oil pan.

Unlike previous Birdcages that Cunningham had raced, the COBRA IN A MASERATI BIRDCAGE! was the first to utilize a De Dion rear suspension with a five-speed gearbox and an interchangeable Fifth gear. To adapt the Cobra engine, Momo chopped the Ford bellhousing and utilized a Maserati flywheel and clutch. Clutch and throttle, linkage was converted to hydraulic-assist utilizing slave cylinders.

To compensate for the new powerplant, adjustable Armstrong shocks and beefier 42-mm knock-off hubs were added. An aluminum cross-flow radiator, aided by small vents in the aluminum rear body panels, cooled the fanless engine. Ready to race, the COBRA IN A MASERATI BIRDCAGE! weighed in at 1,400 pounds, exactly one pound less than with the V12!

With the help of Willem Oosthoek, author of Birdcage to Supercage and Larry Berman, Cunningham historian, we were able to track the Ford-powered Birdcage’s racing history. The first time out with Walt Hansgen driving, #64.002 took a Third overall at the Watkins Glen SCCA Nationals on August 24, 1963. Primary drivers were Cunningham, Augie Pabst and Paul Richards. Dr. Dick Thompson also spent some seat time in Tipo #64.002.

Over the years ownership of #64.002 passed from Cunningham to Pabst and then to Ham Vose. The COBRA IN A MASERATI BIRDCAGE! competed at the Bridgehampton Double 500, Los Angeles Times GP at Riverside and many regional events in 1963. The last big race it ran was the USRRC event at Augusta. In later years, still fitted with the Shelby Cobra engine, it was on display at the Blackhawk Collection.

For more information about the Birdcage Maserati, please visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maserati_Tipo_61

Rare 1955 Maserati Tipo 160/T4 Up For Auction

You might associate the Italian manufacturer with cars, but you could pick up a two-wheeled example for less than you might think on the 6th April, 2022, with a rare 1955 Maserati Tipo 160/T4 up for auction. And with an estimate of £9,000 to £11,000.

The eldest of the Maserati brothers, Carlo, started out by building single cylinder engines to mount on bicycles, winning races on them at the turn of the 20th century. So it was a bit of a return when Maserati, now owned by Adolfo Orsi, bought up the Italmoto motorcycle company and produced the Tipo 125/T2, based on a DKW design, and the Tipo 160/T4 which was based on the Italmoto 160 tourer.

The rare 1955 Maserati Tipo 160/T4 up for auction on April 6th, 2022
The rare 1955 Maserati Tipo 160/T4 up for auction on April 6th, 2022

The 1955 Maserati Tipo 160/T4 features a 158cc single cylinder four stroke built by the company, and putting out a claimed 7.5hp when new. You get a four-speed gearbox, kickstart and chain drive, but no clocks of any sort. So you’ll have to guess the top speed you can manage.

The example up for auction also has a sports seat, alloy rims and period correct tyres, having been restored in the last few years by a previous owner. It’s been part of a private collection, and comes with a current V5C, but needs some recommissioning before you’ll be able to ride it.

You could own a rare Maserati for much less than you might imagine...
You could own a rare Maserati for much less than you might imagine…

It’s part of an auction by H&H Classics taking place at the National Motorcycle Museum on Wednesday, April 6th, 2022. And not only is the rare 1955 Maserati Tipo 160/T4 up for auction, but there’s also a matching 1955 Maserati Tipo 125/T2 on offer with an estimate of £6,000 to £8,000. So for potentially under £20,000, you could own the most important two motorcycles produced by the Italian brand (they also offered mopeds and 175cc and 250cc models during their brief time in production).

As you might imagine with an auction at the National Motorcycle Museum, the pair of Maserati bikes aren’t the only items of interest. A total of 206 motorbikes and scooters are up for sale on the day, with some of the most interesting lots including:

  • 1951 Vincent Black Shadow special order (Estimate £70,000 – £80,000)
  • 1929 Coventry Eagle E120 (Estimate £60,000-£70,000)
  • 1952 Manx Norton 500 (Estimate £60,000-£65,000)
  • 1956 Manx Norton 350 (Estimate £27,000-£30,000)
  • 1949 Vespa V11T (Estimate £25,000 – £30,000)
  • 2001 Ducati MH900E (Estimate £22,000-£26,000)
  • 1960/1 Honda CR110 (Estimate £22,000-£26,000)
  • 1991 Norton F1 Rotary (Estimate £20,000-£24,000)
  • 1999 Ducati 996 SPS (Estimate £18,500-£22,500)
  • 1988 Suzuki RG500 Gamma (Estimate £11,000-£15,000

And there are Velocette Thruxtons, BSA Gold Stars, Ariel Square Fours, and all the types of classics most of us spend days and nights dreaming about riding and owning at some point. A few of the bikes which jumped out at me include the Ducati 996 SPS which apparently has 1 mile on the clocks, the RG500 and an RD350LC, a couple of 1970s MV Agusta race bikes both estimated at £5,000 to £7,000, and a homologation model 1982 Suzuki Katana GSX1000SZ.

You can keep up with all the latest on new, classic, and secondhand motorcycles, here. If you’re thinking about bidding in the auction, you’ll need to register with H&H Classics, and viewing starts from 9am on Wednesday 6th April, with the vintage scooter auction from 11am, and the classic motorcycles going under the hammer from 1pm.

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