Maserati’s 110 Years Exhibition at Autoworld Museum, Brussels

It all started with a single-seater, the Tipo 26, which appeared in 1926. This one was built in 1928 and is said to have been driven in competition, notably by one of the Maserati brothers, Ernesto, before being sold to a customer based in Tunis, where it also raced for a few years. It is one of the oldest Maseratis in existence.

The 8CM, with 8 cylinders, 3 liters and compressor, appeared in 1933. This one, ordered by an Anglo-American sportsman, was extensively modified by Gurney Nutting, adding a heart-shaped aluminum radiator cowling. It would later be the property of HRH Prince Bira.

The 6CM, with a 1500cc 6-cylinder supercharged engine, appeared in 1936 and was produced until 1939. Intended to race in the voiturette category, it had some success with private drivers and around thirty examples were built. This one was sparingly used and is therefore in very original condition.

This 1948 Maserati 4CLT is very special in that its owner, HRH Prince Bira, equipped it in 1951 with an Osca V12 engine as well as new suspension and bodywork. But it was no match for the more powerful Alfa Romeos and Ferraris and was retired from competition by mid-season.

Appearing in 1954 with the new Formula 1 regulations increasing the engine capacity to 2.5 liters, the Maserati 250F has a tubular chassis. With its simplicity and elegant line, it symbolizes motorsport in the 50s. Its track record will culminate with the world champion title of Juan Manuel Fangio in 1957.

Maserati designed the Tipo 420/M/58 specifically for the Monza ‘Race of Two Worlds’, an oval confrontation between America and Europe. It was sponsored by the Eldorado ice cream, a first in racing. It was based on a reinforced chassis of the 250F and a modified engine derived from the 450 S sports car. After a fourth and a fifth place in the first two heats, Stirling Moss was forced to retire in the final heat, leading to a seventh-place overall.

Called the “Monofaro” due to its distinctive single headlamp design, this is the last true Maserati crafted by the Maserati brothers before they went on to establish OSCA. This car, chassis 2002, is an ex-works car owned by a Belgian collector who used it often at the Mille Miglia and at the Monaco Historic Grand Prix.

Also owned by a Belgian collector and historic racer, this car started life as a 150S (1.5-litre, 4-cylinder) and was sold new to Belgian gentleman racer Georges Berger. After a crash at Spa in 1957, it was given a 2-litre engine and then, in 1992, a 2.5-litre to compete in the Ferrari Maserati Shell Historic challenge.

The “Birdcage” is one of the most iconic Maseratis. This 1961 Tipo 61 (2.9 liters, 4 cylinders), chassis 2472, is the last Tipo 61 built and was delivered new to Lucky Casner’s Camoradi team. It is now part of the Panini collection of Modena.

Introduced in 1961, this Tipo 63 “Birdcage” is the result of a collaboration between Maserati and Scuderia Serenissima. Its aerodynamic bodywork was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, then at Bertone, and its V12 engine made it one of the most powerful cars of its time. It took part in the 1961 24 Hours of Le Mans but was forced to retire. It is now part of the Panini collection.

By introducing the Barchetta in 1992, Maserati attempted to recapture the marque’s racing glory. It was intended to run in a one-make championship that spanned the 1992 and 1993 seasons, on Italian and European circuits. Its two-liter V6 engine developed around 315 horsepower.

The Maserati A6 1500, introduced at the 1947 Geneva Motor Show, marked Maserati’s transition from racing to luxury grand touring. Featuring a tubular steel chassis and independent front suspension, it demonstrated advanced engineering for its time. This example received a Pinin Farina coachwork.

This 1954 Maserati A6GCS is one of the most sought-after Maseratis, especially because of its design by Pinin Farina. Originally, only four cars were bodied as berlinettas by Pinin Farina. This one, chassis 2070, first received a spyder body by Fantuzzi. And it was around 1997 that it received the body first mounted on chassis 2057.

The A6 series, named after Alfieri Maserati, allowed many Italian coachbuilders to express their creativity. This A6G/54 2000, with a two-litre inline 6-cylinder engine, receives an elegant Allemano body, with which only 21 examples of the A6G 2000 were equipped.

From the same year as the previous one, this A6G/54 received a sportier body made by Zagato and shone as much on the road as in competition.

In the A6G/2000 series, here is Frua’s proposal with this elegant spyder. Produced between 1956 and 1957, only 14 A6G/2000 models received Frua bodywork. Of those, just nine were crafted as spyders.

Introduced in 1957, the 3500 GT was Maserati’s first produced grand touring car, compared to the limited production models like the A6 series. Designed by Carrozzeria Touring, this car from 1964 is one of the last produced and it features Lucas fuel injection, five-speed gearbox and four-wheel disk brakes.

In addition to the 3500 GT coupé, bodied by Touring, Maserati offered a spyder version, built by Vignale to a design by Michelotti. It has a wheelbase ten centimeters shorter than the coupé, which improves both rigidity and handling.

With the 5000 GT, Maserati offered the most exclusive, powerful and fastest car of its time. Only 34 examples were produced between 1959 and 1966, 21 of which had Allemano bodywork like this one.

Produced from 1962 to 1969, this 2+2 coupe, called Sebring after the victory at the 1957 12 Hours of Sebring, is the successor to the 3500 GT. The Sebring has a shorter wheelbase than the 3500 GT, which gives it better agility and a more compact aesthetic.

Presented at the Chicago Auto Show in 1966, the Mistral was the last Maserati to be equipped with the famous six-cylinder in-line engine. This Mistral awaiting restoration dates from 1967.

Based on the coupe designed by Frua, the Mistral Spyder is the work of Giovanni Michelotti. It is equipped with an aluminum hood, doors and trunk lid, which contributes to its agility and performance. With 124 units produced, it is one of the rarest Maserati models. This 1966 version is equipped with the 3.5-liter 6-cylinder engine.

Produced from 1966 to 1972, the Mexico marked the transition from the inline-six to the V8 in Maserati two-door coupes. The Mexico was introduced alongside the more radical Ghibli for customers who preferred a grand touring experience. It had famous owners such as actor (and future US President) Ronald Reagan.

Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro during his time at Ghia, the Ghibli coupé was unveiled at the 1966 Turin Motor Show. Its Italian style and powerful V8 seduced an international clientele, particularly American. Between 1966 and 1973, 1,170 units were produced, which is a testament to its success.

During its five-year existence, production of the Ghibli Spyder did not exceed 125 units. The fact that the soft top folds completely under a trunk panel gives it this clean line. A factory hardtop was available as an option, but only 25 units were produced.

Produced from 1969 to 1975 in a run of 1,104 units, the Indy paid tribute to the 1939 and 1940 Indianapolis 500 victories. This four-seater coupe with a large hatchback-style luggage compartment combined performance and practicality. This America version was introduced in 1971 and featured updates such as a new dashboard.

Developed during the partnership between Maserati and Citroën, the Merak was inspired by the V8-powered Bora but incorporated the more compact 3-litre V6 from the Citroën SM, allowing for a more spacious cabin with 2+2 layout. This SS version, introduced in 1975, was lighter and more powerful than the base model.

The Maserati Kyalami, produced from 1976 to 1983, was the first Maserati of the De Tomaso era and the last equipped with the famous V8 whose lineage traces back to the 450S. Derived from the De Tomaso Longchamp, it has a body designed by Pietro Frua. The production of the Kyalami did not exceed 210 units.

The first series of the Quattroporte (1963-1966) was the fastest saloon of its time and opened a new market segment that prompted BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar to develop their own high-performance saloons. Equipped with a 4.2-litre V8, it was developed by Giulio Alfieri to a design by Pietro Frua.

This special Quattroporte is the first of only two made by Frua. After being presented at the 1971 Paris Motor Show, it would inspire the Aga Khan who would order a second example. After being part of the Riverside International Automobile Museum, it now resides in a Belgian collection.

The Quattroporte II was designed by Giugiaro for Bertone. Developed under the direction of Citroën, it used the 3-litre V6, front-wheel drive and hydropneumatic suspension. Appearing at the time of the 1973 oil crisis and Citroën’s financial difficulties, the project was cancelled after only thirteen examples were produced.

Again designed by Giugiaro, this time for Ital Design, the Quattroporte III is based on the chassis of the De Tomaso Deauville and marks the return to the V8 engine and rear-wheel drive. Produced from 1979 to 1990, it enjoyed considerable success with 2,155 units produced.