THE ESSENTIAL MASERATI LIBRARY - Part One
Text and all photos courtesy of Enrico Pederzolli
My love affair with Maserati began back in 1998 when I imported a 1995 Ghibli MY95 from Italy. Included as part of this deal was a free service to be carried out the following year at the Candini Workshop in Modena.
My wife and I always take our annual holiday in Italy so this arrangement wasn't as bizarre as it might firsr appear. Sure enough the following year my wife and I drove to Italy and during that holiday, I drove down to Modena from our base on Lake Garda. The service was to take around two to three hours, so I decided to sit and wait in Signor Candini's office. While I sat waiting, Marcello Candini offered me a book to read, which to my great relief was written in English. The book was the second edition of 'MASERATI Sports, Racing and GT Cars from 1926 by Richard Crump and Rob de la Rive Box. As a young lad I had been aware that Fangio had won the World Championship in a Maserati, but I didn't know it was in a 250F. I also knew that during the Fifties and Sixties, Maserati had produced some exotic sports cars, but I couldn't recall the models.
It was only as I worked my way through the pages of this book and read about the long list of racing cars from the 1926 Tipo 26 to the 1960 Tipo 60 'Birdcage' that I realised three things; firstly that Maserati had had a long and distinguished racing history, secondly how very little I knew about Maseratis and thirdly that I wanted to know more. Although it is by no means the finest book ever written about Maseratis, it had stirred my interest, an interest for which my wife has never truly forgiven me, and I must include it in my library for that reason alone.
My search for more knowledge was further aroused by an article that appeared in volume three of Rivista Maserati back in 1999. The article, by Adolfo Orsi, listed all the notable books ever written about Maserati and it was after reading this piece that I set about compiling my Maserati library. Today, I am happy to report that I have collected every single book ever written about our beloved marque, some ninety plus titles in all, including booklets. In this and the next Trident, I would like to eview my favourite ten Maserati books.
 MASERATI: Sports, Racing and GT Cars from 1926
by Richard Crump and Rob de la Rive Box
1st edition: Published by G T Foulis - 1975
2nd edition: Published by Haynes Publishing Group - 1983
3rd edition: Published by Haynes Publishing Group - 1992
The book is an illustrated history of Maseratis from 1926 to 1982; every single-seater from the front-engined 3-litre 8-cylinder supercharged Tipo 8CM to the World Championship winning 6-cylinder Tipo 250F, sports racing cars from the front-engined 1.5-litre 6-cylinder supercharged Tipo 26 to the rear-engined 12-cylinder Tipo 64 and GTs from the A6 1500 by Pinin Farina to the Kyalami.
Accompanying the many black and white photographs is a brief technical specification of each car along with production details and some historic notes. Every photograph, most of which are from the factory archives, are accompanied by a short description. The final chapter includes; Maserati-engined specials, prototypes, motor-cycles, race boats and Maserati memorabilia.
This second edition was updated with more photographs and obviously bringing in more up to date models such as the Biturbo. It also included a lot more of the Maserati specials. The format was bigger than the original book and it now had a Maserati emblem on every page.
It was of course available through the Club at £14.95. Now out-of-print, expect to pay between £30 and £50 for a copy in good condition.
 Maserati Vittorie 1926-1954
by various contributors
Published by Officine Alfieri Maserati SpA - 1954
As the title would suggest, this book was produced by Officine Alfieri Maserati to celebrate nearly thirty years of worldwide success in motor racing; from Pescara to Indianapolis, from Rome to Buenos Aires, from Monza to Tripoli, in races such as the Targa Florio and Mille Miglia.
The book, which is now revered and highly prized amongst collectors of Maserati memorabilia, is distinguishable by its magnificent cover featuring a design by Dany Oppi.
The book is a collection of interesting articles prefaced by Adolfo Orsi who sums up the content with the words; "In questa pur veloce rassegna tutti gli artefici e gli amici della Maserati - piloti, tecnici, operai, collaboratori e stranieri - rivedranno con compiacimento, e forse con una certa commozione, le immagini di un'epoca affollata di valorosi e quasi leggendari personaggi, vale a dire le fisonomie, i gesti, le sagome degli uomini e delle macchine di un periodo sportivo che ora s'immedesima con gli affetti, gli entusiasmi, le voci di una nostalgia che certe dimenticate fotografie aiutano a far crescere nell'animo; scopriranno infine, via via nel susseguirsi delle stagioni, via via tra le luci e le ombre e gli angoli piu riposti, scene ed episodi di cui essi stessi in un modo e nell'altro sono stati partecipi."
"In this all too brief review, all the craftsmen and friends of Maserati - drivers, technicians, workers, partners and overseas associates - will recall with satisfaction, and perhaps a little emotion, the images of a time full of treasured and almost legendary celebrities, that is to say the looks, the gestures, the profiles of the men and cars from a sporting era that we can now identify ourselves with affection, enthusiasm and nostalgic sounds that certain forgotten photographs will help conjure up in the soul; finally uncovering, by gradually following the seasons, between light and shade and those hidden corners, scenes and episodes in which they took part in one way or another."
The book is filled from cover to cover with some truly stunning and rare factory photographs in black and white (some in colour). There is a chapter containing a list of podium successes between 1926 and 1954. A tribute to Argentinian driver Onofre Marimon who sadly lost his life at the 1954 German Grand Prix. A catalogue of their championship successes and successful speed record attempts on land and water. One chapter, 'Una fucina di piloti' (A factory of champions), records through a series of photographs the notable racing drivers who have graced these machines.
Mi dispiace ma e solo disponibile in Italiano!! (It was only published in Italian). A 'must-have' for any serious Maserati collection!
Originally priced at only £3.00, it is now sadly out-of-print, and one should expect to pay between £350 and £500 for a copy in good condition, even more for a mint copy.
 MASERATI A complete history from 1926 to the present
by Luigi Orsini and Franco Zagari
Published by Libreria dell'Automobile - 1980
My favourite Maserati book; the original encyclopaedia of Maserati literature, a veritable feast of information.
First published in Italian as two seperate books; the first covering the period from 1926 to 1945 and the second from 1945 to the date of publication. Later that year both volumes were published as a twinset within a slip-case. Fortunately for us an version in English was published in a slip-case that year thanks to the translation by Donld Kafner
A collaboration between Luigi Orsini and Franco Zagari it makes full use of Sig Zagari's magnificent collection of historic photographs; I lost count when I tried to count them.
Within the 900-odd pages every model from the Tipo 26 to introduction of the Biturbo is covered. Each described in detail, from its development to construction along with a full technical specification and production numbers. The production numbers even list the original owners. Sig Zagari's outline drawings that accompany each model are a very nice touch.
The twenty five chapters cover every aspect of the Maserati story; the birth of the factory, the lives of those who created it, the magnificent racing machines they created, the racing successes and failures, right up to the trials and tribulations that led to their official withdrawal from competition in 1957. All cleverly set out with those chapters recounting the different Tipos produced followed by one covering their racing history during that period.
A must for any serious Maserati collection!
Now out-of-print, expect to pay between £150 and £200 for a clean copy with dust cover and slip-case in good condition.
 Maserati: The Postwar Sportsracing Cars
by Joel E Finn
Published by John W Barnes, Jr. Publishing Inc. - 1977
Joel E Finn is not only an acknowledged expert and collector of Maserati sports racers but was a member of the Maserati Club in the early days. He has written a magnificent book that covers all the classic post-war Maserati sports racing cars including the Tipos A6GCS, 150S, 200S and 200SI, 250S, 300S, 350S, 450S, Tipo 60/61, Tipo 63/64, Tipo 151 and Tipo 65. I think you'll get a good idea of the writer's passion for Maseratis from this excerpt from the introduction:
"My favorite makes were Maserati and Ferrari, as they seemed to be the most exciting visually and mechanically. Over a period of time, I managed to cadge short drives or rides in most of their models. The Maseratis seemed to me to have a definite superiority in driveability and handling compared to Ferraris, and were quality machines in every respect. Maseratis gradually became my favorites as the make I would most like to own and race. Finances made the dream impossible to attain at that point in time, but the desire remained.
Sports car racing evolved in the early 1960's toward a more professional form of operation and the rear-engined cars gained ascendance. During this period, Maseratis began to be seen less and less frequently, and by the mid 1960's, the rear-engined domination had become complete and front-engine sportsracers were practically worthless. Deciding that the time was propitious, I started acquiring Maseratis and restoring them back to original racing condition. Over the years, I managed to gather together a representative Maserati collection containing both sportsracers and Grand Prix types. Back in the mid-1960's they were worth so little that it never occurred to me not to drive them on the street, or otherwise use them as instruments of pleasure on the road or track.
Over the years, my accumulation of Maserati cars, parts brochures, engineering drawings, technical sheets, photographs and general information grew steadily more complete. Other Maserati collectors were continually requesting information from my files, all the while bemoaning the lack of a reference book covering the sportsracing models. These entreaties led to my decision to assemble all the material into a book in an attempt to fill the information vacuum. The task has been approached from an enthusiast's standpoint, and I have endeavored to provide maximum information regarding these fine machines in
an orderly and logical fashion. The scenario on each model includes the development process, technical description and racing history, accompanied by reproductions of the original Maserati factory sales brochures and specification data sheets, where pertinent.
My biases are bound to show through the verbiage after years of association with the various Maserati models. Some are obviously superior to others considering the period built and their intended usage. In every case, the sportsracing
Maseratis have been quality machines, well designed, solidly built, technically interesting and superbly finished. Above all, they are pleasant to drive, inspiring great confidence with their excellent handling characteristics."
Another must for any serious Maserati collection!
Now out-of-print, expect to pay between £300 and £400 for a softback copy and £500+ for a hardback copy with dust cover in good condition. Not a bad return for those members who bought a copy from the club back in 1980 for £9.00 and £18.95 repectively!!
 Maserati Birdcage
by Joel E Finn
Published by Osprey Publishing Ltd. - 1980
There are racing cars that are loved by racing drivers because of their beauty, power or driveability. Very few cars have everything; but one model clearly stands alone, in the view of many, as not only the best sportsracing Maserati ever built, but the finest handling front-engined competition machine ever put on the track. This is the Tipo 60/61 Birdcage, and it's a shame that more international success was not achieved, as it had all the right ingredients to win on any course. In a way, its problems were symptomatic of Maserati's inability to ever completely get its act together. Nonetheless, the Birdcage is a true racing classic.
The sports racing Tipo 60 and 61 Maseratis featured a chassis design which led to a host of nicknames including soda straw and spaghetti tube but the one which stuck was 'birdcage'. There isn't anything more appropriate for this multitude of small bore tubes welded together to smother the engine and transmission. Fortunately, the cars as well as their unusual name are worth remembering, even celebrating.
1958 saw the Maserati factory in Modena, Italy without enough money to continue motor racing. Old habits die hard. Management decided that they could build a sports racing car which they themselves would sell, but not race. In months this unusual yet outstanding front-engined lightweight was ready. Clothed in its tight-fitting suit of rolled and beaten alloy it was either downright ugly or supremely beautiful to behold - there were no half measures. From then on these cars enjoyed
some fabulous success against the world's best - Ferrari, Aston Martin and Jaguar - but this was interspersed by some dramatic tragedy too in no small measure. By 1962 the car was obsolete - it had risen, conquered and died
in less than four years - yet it is remembered, and not just in Historic Racing circles where it can still win.
Joel Finn's account is the fullest and most exciting history, jam packed with anecdote, contemporary driver impressions and technical asides. The book is very well illustrated with numerous photographs. Each car is traced from construction to date. As someone who has lived with these cars for many years Joel he has the depth of knowledge that can only be gained by years of actual experience living with them and is of the opinion that they were the finest front-engined sports racing car ever constructed."
An essential addition to any Maserati library!
Now out-of-print, expect to pay between £100 and £150 for a hardback copy with dust cover in good condition. Once again, not a bad return for those members who bought a copy from the club back in 1980 for £9.95!!
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