Carlo Maserati / "Maserati"

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Company Maserati history consists of a train of revolutions. Throughout 80 years the company "was noted" in a segment of sports and road cars, has visited one niche with Mercedes and BMW, has become related and "has divorced" with Citroen. As to technical innovations, them in history of the company not to consider.

Company Maserati history consists of a train of revolutions. Throughout 80 years the company "was noted" in a segment of sports and road cars, has visited one niche with Mercedes and BMW, has become related and "has divorced" with Citroen. As to technical innovations, them in history of the company not to consider.

Name Mazerati calls various associations historians, experts and admirers of this stamp. Someone will recollect the first Mille Milia, Targa Florio, Brescia where Alferi and Ernesto Mazerati appear at us as founders and pilots of one of the best racing cars of that time. On cars of brothers Mazerati time and again the first finished legendary Nuvolari. With models Tipo 250F and their successors created Mazerati, the Golden Age of the Formula 1 is connected. For others names Maserati it is outstanding cars of class GT of 60 and 80th years. Yes, they were exotic, but nevertheless is much more practical crowned competitors Ferrari.

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For the third it is a symbol of prestige and the power, embodied in magnificent modern models Quattroporte, Ghibli, 3200GT. Family Rodolfo and Carolina Mazerati was enough numerous - they have given a life to 7 brothers Mazerati - Karlo Maserati (1881), Bindo (1883), Alferi (1885) (he has died in infancy and his name has passed to the following child in a family) - Alferi (1887), Mario (1890), Ettore (1894) and Ernesto (1898). Each of brothers, to some extent, has brought the contribution to development of the company which carries till now their name. Karlo, the senior from the brothers, the first in a family has started to be engaged in cars. In 1907 it arrives in Bianchi command. The legend says, that during one of races to it strongly stirred the low-voltage breaker of system of ignition - mechanics had to repair repeatedly the unit during competitions. As a result of Karlo began to replace on the cars low-voltage system of ignition high-voltage. Also has soon got small zavodik, earlier letting out medicines where together with Ettore has organised service on replacement of systems of ignition. He also has created the first car Maserati equipped one-cylinder engine and very simple chassis. During same time Karlo worked over the project of the radial aviation engine. But illness and the death which has followed it 29-year-old Karlo Mazerati have interrupted job.

After death Karlo Maserati the flag of family business has picked up Alferi Mazerati. On December, 14th, 1914 it has based in Bologna where on the main city area the sculpture of the Neptune is established, jobs Dzhiamboloni, company Societa Anonima Officine Alfieri Maserati. Inspired with this product, Mario Mazerati has developed the company logo - a trident which has served as an omen of the future of firm of brothers Mazerati. It specialised on upgrade of sports cars, engines and spark plugs. That is was engaged in that today it is accepted to name «automobile tuning». After a break in the job, called by the First World War, four Mazerati again were engaged in preparation of cars. Brothers created automobile and racing cars under orders of clients and participated in races. The motor of 6300 sm3 established on chassis Isotta Fraschini became the first engine which was on the present original design Mazerati.

In April, 1926, on races Targa Florio to Sicily, the third of brothers Mazerati - Alferi operated first serial car Maserati Gran Prix 1500 with a trident sign on a cowl. By the car the motor - 8 cylinders abreast has been established rather progressive the then. The two-litre engine has allowed to bypass competitors with motors much more bolshego volume. And it in spite of the fact that to it was necessary to stop once because of rupture of a hose of a radiator! Since then temperamental engines are firm "highlight" of cars Maserati.

After several loud victories about firm all Europe has learnt. And since this moment brothers have decided to specialise on manufacture of exclusively racing cars. The collective genius of brothers Mazerati has been concentrated to creation of super-power motors. They, for example, have designed and have made the 16-cylinder engine with fantastic to start 30th years capacity - 350 h.p. In 1929 racer Bakonin Borzachchini on Tipo V4 with this motor has established a record of speed on a distance of 10 km - 246 km/h. Now in the world exists only four motor-car manufacturers obliged by the birth it is exclusive to races. It Maserati, Ferrari, Lotus and McLaren, and Maserati oldest of all.

The death in 1932 Àëüôüåpè Ìàçåpàòè became a new hard blow for family business. With 1932 for 1939, after death Alferi, all cars were created younger Mazerati - Ernesto. He projected engines and some times led the cars to a victory. In 1933 Ernesto Mazerati the first in Europe the hydraulic booster of brakes on racing cars has started to apply. Same year, piloting Tipo 8CM, Juseppe Kampari wins Gran At France, and Tatsio Nuvolari - Gran At Belgium and Nitstsy. 1934 was marked by one more record of speed for Maserati - Juseppe Furmanik on Tipo 4CM establishes a record of speed in a class 1100 - 222 km/h.

However neither it, nor it ápàòüÿ Bindo and Ýòòîpå ïpè âcåé câîåé ècêóøåííîcòè in the mechanic were not strong in commerce. Five years family Mazerati it is independent ïûòàëàcü âåcòè has put, but in 1937 has sold the business to brothers Îpcè, owners of company Orsi Gruppo, the well-founded aristocrats, promising to render material support. By itself, Adolfo and Îìåp Îpcè perfectly understood, that firm Maserati without brothers Ìàçåpàòè - an empty phrase. Therefore the contract has been made so that to leave brothers in the company for 10 years. Thereby Ìàçåpàòè have appeared in own (family!) firm on position of hired workers. Brothers Mazerati have agreed on such conditions.

In the late thirties racing cars Maserati have begun conquest of America. About today of the USA remain the main market for the Italian company.

In 1939 family Orsi has transferred the enterprise from Bologna to Modena where it settles down and to this day, and in 1947 term of the contract has come to the end, and brothers have there and then left native firm which have left the name. They have returned to Bologna and have based there the new automobile company - OSCA (Officina Specializzata Costruzione Automobili Fratelli Maserati). The new firm was engaged in release of racing cars, however its cars had no former success and popularity also the highest achievement for them there was Stirlinga Moss's victory and Lloyd's Bills piloting 1500 OSCA Sport on races in Sebringe 1954.

In 1947 the presentation of the first car of class GT - À6 1500 with a body of design Pininfarina has taken place. Racing version A6GCS under control of Alberto Askari some times won on races Modena. The road version of this car was issued by small series and was equipped with almost racing chassis and the facilitated 6-cylinder engine in volume of 2 litres which had, in the beginning 1 cam-shaft and on 1 candle on the cylinder, and then 2 cam-shafts and 2 candles on the cylinder. All these cars were, so to say, author's jobs «hand made», were issued by very small series and among them practically there were no two similar.

As to stamp Maserati the second wave of its success has fallen to 50th years. In 1954 car Maserati 250F became the winner of stage Formula 1 in Argentina. In 1957 on the same car Juan Fandzhio has won last racing title for Maserati. However, sports successes any more were not equitable to commercial interests of owners Maserati from company Orsi Gruppo. Therefore firm Maserati declared the leaving from races and has changed specialisation: it has transferred racing technologies on serial road cars.

Then in 1957 the firm best seller - Maserati 3500GT - the first serial road model has been presented. It has been equipped by the 6-cylinder engine of system twin cam (2 verhneraspolozhennyh a cam-shaft) with working volume 3.5 litres. The body has been created by Milan firm Touring. Including in a series «3500» was also "highlight" - compartment Spyder from kuzovnogo studio Vignale. According to designers and automobile historians, this model which has been let out in circulation of only 242 copies, the most graceful among cars Maserati. In 1961 there was an equipment of the car by system of mechanical injection of fuel Lucas that has allowed firm to add to the name of 3500 letters GTI. Thus, 3500GT became the first Italian car equipped with system of injection of fuel. Manufacture 3500GT has been stopped in 1964 after it has been let out about 2000 cars. In 60th years in cars Maserati for the first time has taken a hand Dzhordzhetto Dzhudzharo. This designer is today the legislator of an automobile fashion then it concerned a category "promising". Compartment Ghibli became the present sensation and served as card Maserati in heavy for automobile business 1960. One time Ghibli was main competitor Ferrari Daytona.

In 1963 in history Maserati there was one more turn which has allocated the stamp among other motor-car manufacturers. Expensive high-speed sedans Mistral and Quattroporte have been presented the world. In the Great Britain new Quattroporte (in a translation from Italian means "chetyrehdvernyj"), possessing not only magnificent salon, but also excellent dynamics and controllability, cost more expensively, than Rolls Royce. The same year, on drawing boards of firm Vignale the next project was born. The new car named Sebring, in honour of victories Maserati in North American races, had the debugged and reliable engine in a modern and aggressive body. Its release of 2 basic versions with the 6-cylinder engine in volume of 3.7 l. And 4.0 l. Proceeded up to 1969.

In 1968 controlling interest Maserati bought up French Citroen. Model Indy (1104 copies have been let out), more the alliance of two automobile companies which have lasted till 1975 became the most appreciable result of partnership of Frenchmen and Italians, anything itself has not shown. In 1971 on light there was model Bora - the first car of firm of class GT with sredneraspolozhennym the engine. From this car the new concept of models Maserati has started to arise. Henceforth the firm starts to do not simply superfast cars. It allocates the road models still with comfort and luxury.

The short union with Citroen which has lost interest to sports cars, has broken up in 1975 and Maserati took under the guardianship well-known Alehandro De Tomazo. He, having decided to freshen lineup Maserati, has created project Kyalami. The car was issued in 2 versions - 4.2 l. From a mechanical check point and 4.9 l. With the automatic machine.

In 1976 Maserati updates marketing strategy and dares to master a new niche. For this purpose the company enters competitive struggle with Mercedes and BMW and lets out the car of a representation class first in the history - Quattroporte III with a body from Dzhudzharo. Behind quiet appearance of this model the real devil disappeared. Creation of cars with stylish, but not striking appearance was a part of original plan De Tomazo. Owners Quattroporte of the third generation could enjoy dynamics and luxury, not involving superfluous attention. And the similar concept has appeared successful, Quattroporte 14 years did not descend from the conveyor.

However, despite success of new model, company business was in heavy position. De Tomazo, understanding, that the era superkarov, devourers of gasoline, has come to an end, dares at «the next small revolution». Maserati lets out dvuhdvernyj sedan Biturbo equipped with the new 6-cylinder engine by capacity of 180 h.p. "Heart" it has been packed in small, but a magnificent body. Becoming the present hit in Italy, in 1986 Biturbo has achieved appreciable success and on a world scene. In 1989 was issued Shamal, last representative of an era De Tomazo in destiny Maserati, equipped new 8-cylinder engine Biturbo in volume of 3200 sm3 which has given to this monster capacity in 325 h.p. Soon left Karif - the present sports car. Having established on chassis Biturbo reliable 2.8 V6 they have received the fastest car in series Biturbo. And having cleaned a roof in versions Spyder engineers Maserati have transformed it into the present rocket.

With 1993 for 1995 the Italian giant Fiat Auto SpA bought up 90 % of actions Maserati and in 1996 already under its guardianship the premiere new Quattroporte IV Evoluzione - Maserati our time has taken place. Having become interested in the dynamical company, with 1993 for 1995 the Italian giant Fiat Auto SpA bought up 90 % of actions Maserati. On questions on how will adjoin in one concern Maserati and Ferarri, president Ferrari of the Onion of Dee Montezemolo has responded: «Ferrari is an embodiment of exclusive indicators and magnificent controllability. These are cars for drivers. Maserati should be smart and aggressive, classical cars of a class gran turizmo». In 1996 already under its guardianship the premiere new Quattroporte IV Evoluzione - Maserati our time has taken place.

In 1995 under home nursing Fiat a series of races on Open cup Ghibli has been held. Release of the road version also has been dated For this event known as Ghibli Cup. These cars having only the 2-litre engine possess capacity grasping spirit in 330 h.p. - such return on 1 litre of fuel has no any serial car, switching on and Mclaren F1. In 1997 there was association Maserati with Ferrari (actually management of the company has passed to Ferrari). Since November 1997, for improvement of quality and reliability of lineup Maserati, at factories in Modena for a year release Ghibli and Quattroporte has been suspended.

The upgrade of assembly manufacture costing almost of 11.5 million of dollars has been successfully finished by autumn of 1998 release new Maserati 3200 GT. And in 2002 there was new model Spyder GT.

Present marketing strategy Maserati plans transition to release of comfortable sports cars with effective appearance and high high-speed characteristics. Today in a modelling number of the company two cars, completely meeting these requirements - Maserati 3200GT and Maserati Spyder. Under cowls of the Italian cars again come back multiliter vysokoforsirovannye V-shaped engines. Such policy promises to be successful: in 2001 in the world it has been realised 1852 Maserati, and last year already 3485. Among exclusive sports stamps it is the second result (on first place Ferrari).