Two breathtaking Maseratis are set to be among the “showstoppers” at this year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, held at The National Events Centre in Birmingham, UK, November 13-15.
The first is a 1954 Maserati 250F, one of the last of the successful front-engined Grand Prix cars. Generally regarded as one of the most beautiful Grand Prix cars ever made, the 250F first raced in the 1954 Argentine Grand Prix where Juan Manuel Fangio claimed the first of his two victories before leaving to join the new Mercedes-Benz team. Fangio won the 1954 Drivers World Championship, with points gained with both Maserati and Mercedes-Benz; Sir Stirling Moss, who will appear at the show on Saturday November 14, raced his own privately owned 250F for the full 1954 season and called it the best front-engined F1 car he drove. In total, the 250F competed in 46 Formula One championship races with 277 entries, leading to eight wins.
The other is a 1955/6 Maserati 300S (above), a sports racing car that was produced to take part in the FIA World Sportscar Championship between 1955 and 1958. Only 28 were ever made, and this is believed to be one of the last in existence. New features for the 300S included the incorporation of a DeDion type rear axle, a transverse four-speed gearbox and two chain-driven camshafts. One 300S was developed with the new V12 engine, becoming the Maserati 350S. Among its previous owners is Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits fame, who raced the car in historic competitions. Find out more at www.necclassicmotorshow.com
