One of the most evocative names in motoring, Maserati is renowned for making some of the world’s most famous and beautiful sports cars. It was founded by five brothers – Alfieri, Bindo, Carlo, Ettore and Ernesto Maserati – in 1914 in Bologna. The famous logo is based on the trident from the statue of Neptune in Bologna’s Piazza Maggiore.
Nowadays, Maserati makes a range of delectable sports cars and sports SUVs. These include famous long-standing model names such as the GranTurismo, as well as newer badges like the Grecale SUV. The MC20 remains one of the world’s most coveted supercars. Electric versions of the GranTurismo, GranCabrio and Grecale – all wearing the Folgore badge – are now available.
Maserati first made its reputation in motor racing, as did its future rival Ferrari. In the ’50s, the most famous racing Maserati of all – the 250F – won numerous Grands Prix and the 1957 F1 world title for Juan Manuel Fangio.
In 1947, Maserati launched its first grand tourer, and in 1957 its first proper production car went on sale, the highly regarded and stylish 3500 GT. The first Quattroporte sports saloon came in 1963. The French car maker Citroën took over Maserati in 1968: its advanced SM model – one of Citroën’s most famous cars – used Maserati technology, including engines. Some specular mid-engine high-performance sports cars, such as the Bora and Merak, followed.
The oil crisis of 1973 badly affected both Maserati and Citroën. The latter was taken over by Peugeot, and Maserati went into liquidation. After brief ownership from rival sports car maker De Tomaso, Fiat took control. It would later become a sister brand to former arch rival Ferrari (also Fiat owned). Now, as with Fiat, Maserati is part of the Stellantis group – along with Peugeot, Vauxhall, Alfa Romeo, Jeep and others (including former owner Citroën).
Maserati sales have boomed over the past decade as the range has blossomed, with new models such as the Ghibli sports saloon and Levante, its first sports SUV.
Hendy currently represents Maserati in Eastleigh, Hampshire.
