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MASERATI 1926 - ?
by Richard Crump
2004 has seen the celebration of Maserati's 90th anniversary confirming that its long-term future is more or less assured. In days gone by, this was not always the case, so I thought you might like to read about Richard Crump's views on the happenings of 1975!!
In the light of recent news concerning the liquidation of Officine Alfieri Maserati, it would be imprudent for any Maserati member to positively foretell the outcome of the factory in Modena, when both the owners Andre Citroen and the Italian Government are still searching for a workable solution. I was at the factory from 2nd June until 9th June last, and this piece is being written on 14th June for publication in the next issue of "Trident". I mention these boring facts simply because when you read this story it will certainly be history whether recent or otherwise.
The Modena factory employs around 800 people embracing the Merak, Bora, Khamsin and Quattroporte II production workers, office personnel, directors, stores personnel and servicing engineers. It is a smoothly run operation, clean and tidy and within its limits as efficient as a hand-built automobile factory can be. It is pure speculation as to whether the universal problems of speed restrictions, oil and petrol price increases or safety and pollution legislation affecting the motoring world in 1975 has brought about the severely reduced sales of super cars, most of which are built in Italy. |
In the case of Maserati I suspect the truth be nearer its internal affairs with the termination of the V-6 engine Citroen SM, a revolutionary but complicated automobile. Current sales for the Khamsin certainly in U.K. right hand drive form are encouraging, the Bora has from its inception been popular while the Merak has proved a desirable purchase selling in exactly the right price structure. We may never know the potential of the 5-seater Grand Touring Quattroporte II since I have seen only three at the factory and all unfinished.
On Thursday, 5th June at 4.00 p.m. about 300 to 400 Maserati workers congregated outside the factory gates, with large banners announcing 'SAVE MASERATI'. The workers marched from the gate in an orderly and quiet fashion along the Via Menotti into the main square in Modena, turning right down Via Emilia and through the older part of the town. I walked with them at the rear of the crowd.
On Friday, 6th June I was inside the factory by 8:15 am to learn that the entire staff numbered no more than 40, and the remaining 700 odd staff had been made redundant. It was not possible for production to continue with such a low number, but the service area for customers' cars together with the stores were operating almost as before.
That was the situation when I left Modena by the weekend. The directors and liquidator were still looking for a buyer of the entire factory and all it had represented in the past besides its present image in this everchanging world. Irrespective of the outcome the legend lives on, whether for emotional reasons or because Maserati owners feel they have something which cannot be replaced by anything other than another automobile Maserati.
This article first appeared in the Summer 1975 issue of Trident
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Maserati enthusiasts and collectors who may be interested in acquiring back issues of this highly collectable magazine may do so by contacting Adam Painter of the Maserati Club at
adamkpainter@uk2.net
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