SIGNATURE PRESTIGE AND PERFORMANCE CAR HIRE

Classic Maseratis reveal sporting characteristics that have always been associated with the Trident marque.

Maserati’s GTs have played a hugely important role in Italian automotive history. Their dazzling combination of effortless, aristocratic grace and pace combined with sophisticated good looks and race-bred performance have captured the hearts of enthusiasts everywhere.

For many years, Maserati was the only Italian manufacturer to produce a flagship four-door saloon. Spacious, refined, elegant and very comfortable, the Quattroporte – in its various guises - was a luxury saloon with thinly veiled sporting pretensions.

Presented in December 1981, the Biturbo was welcomed enthusiastically by customers and specialist press alike, proving that the Maserati name was still revered by many enthusiasts. Discreet but not anonymous, with performance levels unequalled by other cars in its category, the Biturbo soon became a cult object.

Glass' Guide has just released their latest (February 2010) residual value information for prestige sports cars and the Maserati GranTurismo tops the table.

Commenting on the GranTurismo, Prestige Editor at Glass's Guide, Richard Crosthwaite, described the car as:  "A beautiful and certainly understated motor in comparison to some, it is currently in demand and ... it's a model that looks set to hang on to its healthy residual values."

Maserati's headquarters are housed within the historic factory complex in the heart of Modena. This Modena landmark is defined by an architecturally striking tower, topped by the famous trident logo.  The tower houses the company offices, and a flagship showroom.

Maserati has been based in Viale Ciro Menotti, Modena since the production facilities were moved from Bologna in 1940. The original redbrick factory buildings remain, but have been added to over the years.  Most significantly, during the period of Ferrari ownership, the factory complex was completely renovated and modernised with the latest production facilities. The factory symbolises the unique blend of tradition and cuttin-egde technology which defines Maserati.
 

Maserati prides itself on its long and glorious heritage. Officine Alfieri Maserati was founded on 1 December 1914 in Bologna, Italy. Since then, Maserati has played a consistently important role in the history of sports car culture and its development.

Nearly a century of activity has brought with it moments of glory on the road and the track as well as more difficult times, which have helped forge the company’s character and personality.

The most important milestones in the story of the Maserati marque include; the 246.029 km/h world speed record set by Borzacchini in 1929; the 1957 F1 World Championship title won by Fangio aboard the 250F; and the more recent launch of the new 390 hp Coupé Cambiocorsa in Detroit in January 2002, which marked Maserati’s return to the US market.

However, Maserati’s history involves more than its glorious sporting achievements and the launch of great road cars.  The company has also developed industrially over the years.  Its relocation from Bologna to the current site in Viale Ciro Menotti, Modena, in 1940 and its acquisition by Ferrari, completed in 1997, are but two examples of the many major events in the development of Maserati’s expansion strategies and the launch of its new cars.

In early 2005, ownership of Maserati was transferred from Ferrari to Fiat, making Maserati an independent business within Fiat Group, but allowing the two marques to maintain important industrial and commercial synergies.

Maserati is a marque that began life in a local context but then went on to become a major international concern, with representatives in 45 countries.  Maserati prides itself on its long and glorious heritage.

Today that pride is reflected in the values that define the marque - innovation in the management of human resources and the working environment, and transparency in customer relations.

The Maserati brand has evolved over the decades - an evolution that has earned the marque its enviable reputation among Italian sports car manufacturers.
 

Maserati has produced some of the finest sports racers the world has ever seen. Fielded by drivers of the calibre of Fangio, Moss and Behra, the cars racked up victories the world over, earning their place in motor racing history and directly influencing the company’s high-performance road cars.

By the time it won the Formula 1 Drivers’ title with Fangio in 1957, Maserati was already well established at the very top end of single-seater racing. With entries fielded by privateers and works drivers alike, there were often more Maseratis on the grid than any other marque, especially at national level. That success was repeated internationally, and Maserati remains the only Italian constructor to have won the Indianapolis 500 two years in succession.
 

One of the finest collections of Maserati cars is to be found in Cittanova, near Modena.

The museum is run by the West company (owned by the Panini family) and houses cars belonging to the Maserati Collection, and provides a complete and fascinating insight into the most important landmarks in Maserati's history.

The Collection was started by the Maserati brothers and was added to over the years by Omar Orsi.  It has remained intact to this day.  The museum's display consists of 23 cars while a further three cars are currently being restored.Visits to the Maserati Collection are by appointment only.