The world was treated to the unveiling of the Maserati MC20 last year, an all-new mid-engined supercar that marks the rebirth of this illustrious Italian brand. While in need of the revitalisation the new halo model will bring, Maserati’s 106-year history isn’t to be forgotten.
Before Ferrari became synonymous with Italy’s national racing colours, Maserati’s were frequently the red cars to beat. Here’s our top 10 Maseratis of all time.
10. Maserati Birdcage 75th
Maserati’s renewed thirst for a supercar was perhaps first seen back in 2005 with this magnificent Birdcage 75th concept car. Not just a pretty face, this was a fully functional machine equipped with a naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 engine. Under the skin it is in fact an MC12 GT1 racer.
A unique element of this Pininfarina design is a one-piece lifting canopy akin to a jet fighter. This car gets its name from Maserati’s famed birdcage racing car, and the 75th anniversary of the Pininfarina design house.
9. Maserati MC Stradale
What happens if you take a GranTurismo to the Corsa motorsport division of Maserati? While its name might sound like a an Italian DJ, the MC Stradale serves as a hard-edged GT car. It weighs 110kg less than standard, but boasts up to 444bhp from its 4.7-litre V8 engine.
Just subtle enough to slink into Monaco under the radar, but more focused to enjoy the mountain route back home.
8. Maserati Bora
Today Citroen and its parent company own quote a few brands, but back in 1968 it actually acquired the iconic Italian marque of Maserati. Basses knew that the trident needed to get back into the arena with its established rivals if it wanted a future, and so the Bora was created. Key competitors such as Lamborghini had mid-engined machines like the Miura, the Bora being Maseratis first car of this type.
Designed by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro from Italdesign, the sleek sports car certainly reignited a passion for Maserati. It was powered by either a 4.7-litre or 4.9-litre V8 engine and was produced from 1971 to 1978. Sadly, a seven year production run only saw 564 cars built in total, with the engine split being almost 50:50. Maserati was sold to De Tomaso in 1975, but the company continued to struggle and in 1993 it was eventually sold to Fiat.
7. Maserati Merak
The Merak was very closely related to the Bora when it launched in 1972. This more affordable model ditched its V8 for a V6, something that freed up some space for a pair of rear seats. It’s appeal was broader than its bigger brother owing to being a 2+2.
The last Maserati Merak rolled off the production line in 1983 after 11 years of manufacture.
6. Maserati Alfieri
The beautiful Maserati Alfieri concept was revealed back in 2014 and was set to hit the road in production guise come 2018. It’s unknown what exactly happened to this project, but there’s certainly more than a passing resemblance found in Ferrari’s new Roma.
It’s a shame that this 2+2 never made production as a Maserati, especially as it was a star attraction of the Geneva Motor Show that year.
5. Maserati A6
Maserati had proven itself on track, but in 1947 it created its very first road car. The A6 1500 was that car, and could be had in a variety of guises thanks to multiple coachbuilders offering a variety of styling.
The original 1500 looked a little anonymous, but Zagato and other Italian design houses soon injected some character over the years. Maserati also created the dramatically styled A6 GCS (pictured) in both road and track configurations.
4. Maserati Quattroporte
Isn’t it amazing how everyday things sound better in Italian? Be it a chair or the number five, the wonderfully rhythmic nature of the language has a transformative effect. You couldn’t simply call a car ‘four door’ in English, it sounds dull and unappetising, but Quattroporte? Now you’re talking. To Italians it simply described a Maserati, but it was exotic to everyone else.
The Maserati Quattroporte was launched back in 1963 as a four door luxury saloon. However, the car we’re most interested in is the fifth generation car that arrived in 2003. Why? Because much of it was secretly engineered by Ferrari. Initially offered with a 4.2-litre V8, a newer 4.7-litre unit replaced it. This car offered supercar performance, saloon practicality, and a unique taste of old-school luxury.
Maserati’s Quattroporte is still with us today in its sixth generation, but the charm of its predecessor remains.
3. Maserati MC12
To call the Maserati MC12 a rebodied Ferrari Enzo would be unfair. This car may share its engine and skeletal structure with the flagship Ferrari, but Maserati’s Corsa decision had to engine the car to go racing. This involved and extreme aerodynamic package and revisions to the V12 to make it hardier for a race distance.
To meet GT1 regulations, Maserati needed to produce a limited number of road cars. With just 50 MC12s in existence, it’s a real unicorn car.
2. Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage
The Birdcage is all about power-to-weight ratios. Designed to compete around the world at prestigious event such as the Le Mans 24 Hours, this car weighed just over 600kg but produced 247bhp.
Multiple winner of the Nurburgring 1,000km, the Birdcage was named due to its tubular construction looking a bit like a… Well, you know.
1. Maserati 250F
One of the last great front-engined racers, and amongst the most successful. This Maserati won its debut race in 1954 with the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio at the wheel. The late Sir Stirling Moss also saw success with the 250F and maintained that it was the greatest racer of its kind.
Ultimately outgunned by newer mid-engined grand prix cars, the 250F still proved popular in motorsport long after Maserati stopped producing it.
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