The roots we celebrate here every day at Jim Butler Maserati of St Louis can be traced back to the 1910s when 3 brothers founded an ingeniously- laid out company that constructed aircraft engine parts and spark plugs. Immediately after WWI, it was decided that the business should now undergo expansion to build the entire automobile. This is how the Maserati company that is known today saw its roots, with brothers Ernesto and Ettore joining forces to construct the Tipo 26. Here is a sampling of the most memorable models we’ve ever let off the line, and just how many ways they have raised adrenaline levels on tracks worldwide.
The Maserati 8CTF was key in engraving a consistent success in the exciting and demanding duty of motorsport. The 8CTF was built in direct response to an abrupt change in Grand Prix racing rules that mandated engine size to a maximum of 3,000 CC, making every eligible racer before it no longer able to compete. It debuted in 1938 and began winning big soon after its exciting introduction. Its most memorable win was at the 1939 Indy 500, with the very brilliant and skilled Wilbur Shaw at the wheel.
The MC12 was developed with F1-inspired aerodynamics, as well as a powerful and sinister V12 engine. The MC12 was built with the purpose to take the world by storm and possess true supercar status, then being allowed to enter the FIA GT Championship, boasting some of the most memorable visual cues a car has ever achieved. It remains as the fastest accelerating Maserati road car to ever exist, and excited buyers had to be selected from an incredibly elite group.
The Maserati Tipo 60/61 Birdcage was developed for privateer teams that were set to compete in the exciting two-liter category of sports car racing and gained much notoriety from its slightly unusual design features. As British car manufacturers were beginning to move away from the common traditional ladder frame chassis and towards pricier monocoque numbers, this was the result of a more cost-effective way of doing things. At the time there were rules stating just how each windshield had to adhere to a certain sizing, and so it was decided to incline the windshield of the Tipo 60 far back to boost aerodynamics.
The Maserati A6 1500 Gran Turismo was officially unveiled at the 1947 Geneva Motor Show, and featured exquisite styling courtesy of Pinin Farina, and a luxurious interior with distinct elements such as a clock situated in the lid of the glove box. This was one of the earliest models to use the new Maserati Trident logo, and enjoyed characteristics that made it ideal as a roadster. Helping lay the foundation for Maserati’s future and many other road-focused models to come, it was a perfect example of a very distinguished and dapper gem for its time.
The Maserati 250F was a very high-profile Formula 1 model that ended up playing a very noted role in one of the sport’s most intense rivalries during the 1950s. The car was introduced just in time for the 1954 season, and Argentinian master at the wheel Juan Manuel Fangio saw a victory with the car as he snagged that year’s coveted driver’s title. This was a car that was known for possessing expert-level balance and was at the forefront of a very intense rivalry on the track to claim victory.
The Maserati Bora was a unique model that found its way to the market after the brand was sold to French carmaker Citroen. It was also a two-seater coupe which was the first mid-engineered Maserati ever and sported the very unique wedge shape that Italian manufacturers had frequently featured during the 1970s. One of the other brand-new features was the use of a hydraulic system that provided operation for the very adjustable headlights, pedals, and driver’s seat positioning. Some compared its looks to those of a Corvette, but we all agree they are much more unique and discerning!
The Maserati MC20 is the car that will truly represent the beginning of a new and very modern era for the brand and will be its first mass-produced supercar. After the Car and Driver crew got their hands on it they gave it an excellent 9.5/10 rating, praising it for its lightning-fast acceleration and astronomical handling. This will be the brand’s first mid-engine sports car since the MC12, and it doesn’t take a seasoned expert to know full-on that this will be one of the greatest and personality-rich Maseratis of the past few decades.
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