When it comes to luxury cars, the first ones you might come into your mind are the famous and beautiful Ferrari and Maserati models. And who doesn’t like seeing them run, for example in F1 races? Well, one of the Formula 1 drivers that made the difference in history is Stirling Moss. Unfortunately, he recently passed away. And if you don’t know much about him or if you simply want to learn more about this important figure in the world of Formula 1, keep reading this article we put together for you.
Who Was Stirling Moss?
Stirling Moss was a British Formula 1 racing whose fame started to scale in the 1950s. Indeed, it was in 1951 when he made his debut in car races at the Swiss Grand Prix. His results grabbed the attention of the powerful Enzo Ferrari, who decided to have him as a driver of one of his cars in the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Bari, Southern Italy. However, at Sterling’s arrival in Bari, the driver found out that his car had been given to another driver instead. Since then, he swore to himself that he would never drive for Ferrari again.
He did drive for other important teams. including Lotus, Maserati, Mercedes, and Cooper. An interesting fact is that, despite Moss being described as one of the best drivers in the world, he never won the Formula 1 World Championship, while he came third tree times. Moss was hugely popular, not only as a drive but also as a commenter for a long time. The world of motor racing was struck by his death and lost one popular legend that is still remembered and praised today.
Stirling Moss and 1961 Modena Grand Prix.
Modena is one of the most important cities in the world when it comes to sports cars. Not only it is home to some of the most famous car companies, but it is also the location of some important Grand Prix.
The 1961 Modena Grand Prix Race was one that saw Stirling Moss winning a gold medal on a Lotus. The race was run over 100 laps of the circuit and was dominated by the British driver. This race was a significantly good one for Moss, who took pole position, got the fastest lap and won the game, finishing a few seconds before the Porsche driven by Jo Bonnier. Even if Moss was already pretty popular by then, this Modena race contributed to making him one of the best drivers in the world.
Consider Taking a Look To Maserati Eldorado At Umberto Panini Collection
If you are a fan of Formula 1 races, you might be interested in having a look at the iconic Maserati Eldorado in Modena.
On the other hand, you might not know much about the Maserati Eldorado, a car that became famous in 1958 as the first single-seater car in Europe. This car was the protagonist of the first sponsored single-racing car that took place in Monza, with Stirling Moss behind the wheel. Eldorado was an ice cream manufacturer who decided to sponsor the car, despite not being linked to the industry of motorsport. This is regarded as the first example of modern sponsorship and the whole issue was revolutionary.
Maserati was commissioned to build the car by Gino Zanetti, the entrepreneur who owned the ice-cream company and who saw the opportunity to promote his brand internationally. The choice of having Stirling Moss behind the wheels for the race was a strategic one: because of the driver’s popularity and skills, both Zanetti and Maserati were hoping to impress the public. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned as Moss slammed into the guard-rail in the final lap, finishing the race seventh. Fortunately, both the driver and the car did not suffer from any great damage, which proved the value of the solid structure of the car.
The car was then modified during the year, but the Eldorado sponsorship remained.
Today, you can admire a perfect restoration of the Maserati Eldorado in its original white livery in the famous Panini Collection, housed in Modena. Go and check it out!
The Maserati Showroom at Factory Tours
For those willing to learn more about the world of one of the most famous luxury and sport car brands, having a Maserati factory tour in Modena might be one interesting activity to do when in this part of Northern Italy.
With a factory tour, you’ll be able to learn more about the skills and processes involved in producing these prestigious sports cars. You’ll have the opportunity to walk around the plant and get a historical background of the car company while visiting the recently renovated showrooms and the interesting powertrain department. The tour lasts about one hour and you, of course, get the opportunity to also have a look at the Maserati store and at the car models showcased in the showroom. Keep in mind that you can also choose to make a shorter tour, lasting about 40 minutes with a briefer presentation over the heritage of Maserati.
Reserving the tour is pretty simple: you simply have to contact Maserati and book a tour through the email provided on the company’s website, under the section of «tours». Don’t worry if you don’t speak Italian, the tour can be provided in English, German, French, and Spanish if you need so! The factory tours can be booked Monday to Friday from 9 AM until 3.30 PM and reservation is mandatory. Also, keep in mind that due to security policy, children under the age of 18 are not allowed to access the plant.
That said, if you have a passion for sports cars or if you are simply curious to learn more about this great company and see first hand how these prestigious cars are made, getting a tour at Maserati would be a wonderful way to get more information about the world of sports cars. And mind you we are not talking about simple sports cars, but one of the best brands in the world! Even if cars are not your thing, consider visiting the Maserati plant once in Modena. It is a great way to get a good insight not only into the current situation of this industry but also to learn more about the interesting and rich history of sports racing cars and their evolution throughout the years.