Auctions Show True Value of Historic Maseratis:
Something old, something new; Maseratis set the standard
when under the hammer

It is evident to anyone who reads Maserati Monthly, or who has strolled admiringly round their local authorized Maserati dealer, all the cars offered by the Trident may be considered automotive artwork, combining form and function to stunning effect. Maserati has a long and proud tradition of excellence in car design, a fact recognized by the many bidders at auctions where rare and interesting cars of every kind are offered for sale.

In December the British auction house Bonhams held a sale of Ferrari and Maserati cars and automobilia in Gstaad, Switzerland. Among the stellar line-up of cars being sold was a very special Maserati, one which actually led the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans. Just three Tipo 151 cars were built, and only one still exists; 151.006 was built for the wealthy American, Briggs Cunningham and his racing team. The car set a fine pace in practice, and actually led the race for a few laps before an accident eliminated it from the race. The rarity of the car, combined with its known provenance, led to bidding which went well beyond the estimates, and a sale at just over $1.5 million.

At the same auction a beautiful Tipo 63 ‘Birdcage’ was sold for just over half a million dollars; this car, 63.010, was also raced by Briggs Cunningham at Le Mans. A third Le Mans car, the only Tipo 65 ever built, fetched over $650,000; with a 5-liter V8 in a car weighing less than a ton, performance was startling, with a top speed of around 215mph.

Road cars in the auction proved that the desirability of old Maseratis is not restricted only to those with a racing history. A gorgeous Maserati Mistral 4.0 Spyder fetched $140,000, while an immaculate 4.9-liter Maserati Indy went for a rather more affordable $47,000.

Another car with a Briggs Cunningham connection was auctioned by Bonhams in May; the pretty 4CS No.1124, which had started life in 1935 as an 1100, later being upgraded to a 1500, was acquired by Cunningham in 1969 for his museum in Costa Mesa, California, later returning to Europe. The rarity of this car, one of only eleven 4CS models sold, was reflected in the price when it sold for just over $750,000.

A more recent model, a 1955 300S, was sold by RM Auctions for just under $2 million. The chequered history of No.3057 may have contributed to the price; raced in Europe by Benoit Musy, it was sold and shipped to Angola following his death, where it was raced for a number of years. Remarkably, it was then converted for road use before being rediscovered in 1989 and subsequently shipped back to Europe for a full restoration.

Current Maseratis also reach high prices at auction, as was proved by the sale of the first MC12 supercar to be imported into the United States; with less than 500 miles on the clock, and truly in ‘as new’ condition, RM Auctions hammered it down for just over $1 million.

When summer comes back around keep an eye out for Maseratis at your favorite car show or concours, and be sure to stop for a moment to appreciate the beauty and history.  Of course future classics can be seen – and driven! – down at your local authorized Maserati dealer.  Pay a visit today; you too can discover the desirability and mystique that is at the heart of the Trident, and which inspires so many people to aspire to own a Maserati, old or new.