Maserati Turns 100 and Stuns at Monterey Car Week
Maserati Brings 100 Years of its Past, Present and Future to Life at Monterey Car Week as the Featured Marque at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion
August 19,Johannesburg –Maserati celebrated its 100th Anniversary in grand style at Monterey Car Week, and isn’t a stranger to the famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance where – in 1968 – a Maserati Mistral Coupé took top honors as Best of Show. Still today, it is the most recent postwar car to capture this recognition.
As Honored Marque at this year’s 64th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the lawn was packed with significant examples illustrating Maserati’s rich century of history, including – in the Maserati Centennial Racing Class – a 1954 A6GCS Spyder, 1955 Maserati 250F Monoposto, and 1956 Maserati 300S Fantuzzi Spyer. The ’54 A6GCS took the trophy for best Granturismo noted for its artistic beauty and highest level of performance in a granturismo. One of the most fascinating cars of all times designed by Pininfarina in 1954, the A6GCS proved a valuable source of inspiration for the designers of the Alfieri concept of today.
Looking forward to the Maserati’s next century, the highly acclaimed Alfieri concept 2+2 made its North American debut during a special centennial celebration at the Mazda Raceway during the Rolex Monterey Motorsport Reunion, where Maserati was also the Honored Marque. As Lorenzo Ramacioitti, Head of Fiat Chrysler Automobile Global Design, presented the stunning concept, he stated “This car has a racing breed,” but added that it has “a kick of poetry.” The Alfieri also made a star turn on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
At the auctions during Monterey Car Week, classic Maseratis were stars as well. At Bonhams, highlights included a 1969 Ghibli 4.7 Spyder which sold for $841,000 USD; and a 1949 Maserati A6 15000/3C Berlinetta which captured $891,000. At Gooding & Company, the historic Maserati 250F driven to victory by Sir Stirling Moss at Monza in 1956, sold for $4.2 Million USD.
It was a birthday party worthy of turning 100!
