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The Maserati Club stand
The 4CS
The Tipo 250F 'Lightweight' |
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International Classic Motor Show
N.E.C. Birmingham - 22nd to 24th October 2004
MASERATI CLUB SCOOPS AWARD AT ICMS
Thanks to a great team effort the Club was awarded the coveted prize by the "Classic and SportsCar magazine" judges for putting on the most interesting selection of cars at the International Classic Motor Show held at the NEC from 22nd to 24th October 2004.
As organiser for the club my sincere thanks first go to Nick Mason, Anthony Hartley, Ken Painter, John Bennett, Reg Goodall, Nick Heywood-Waddington and Drummond Bone for the generous loan of their wonderful Maseratis. Without them we would not have had a display. I am quite sure they will not be upset if I eulogise on the incredible achievement of Anthony's recreation of the fabulous V4. I have seldom seen so many grown men brought to their knees in awe at the remarkable engineering skill of one man! I do hope Anthony will find the time to write a book on this undertaking, and that the VSCC will accept the V4, to at least, give some demonstration runs at future events. It will take a brave man to emulate the 1930 successes of Alfieri Maserati and Baconin. 152.9 miles per hour in 1929 on those skinny tyres!
A great team put the show on the road, and my thanks go to Ken Painter for his carpentry skills, Bill Jackson for his carpet laying expertise, William Riley for transporting the equipment, Keith Davies and Dave Smith for their muscle power, and Brian Harris for running regalia.
 Last, but not least, all the club members who kindly gave up their time over the 3 days to help man the stand. It always amazes me that despite putting a cordon of rope around each car some visitors can not resist the temptation of touching. But the show went off very smoothly and I was told by many visitors that our layout of space around each car was much appreciated, unlike many displays which were like Fort Knox! If we had received £1 for every photograph taken of the V4, 250F, Tipo 61, 4CS, 350OGT Vignale, QP1, Shamal and a certain yellow QP5 (now christened "the flying banana") we would have made a clear profit.
Here's to 2005 when the ICMS will again run for 3 days from 4th to 6th November. We shall be looking for 8 different gorgeous Maseratis to repeat this year's success.
By Simon Lees-Milne
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF TIM AYLING
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