MASERATI’S STYLISH CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS AT GOODWOOD REVIVAL 2014

Maserati continued its centenary celebrations in glamorous vintage style at one of the premier events on the British automotive calendar; the Goodwood Revival. As well as marking the Italian car maker’s 100th anniversary, Maserati also honoured 60 years of a Formula One legend; the Maserati 250F.

The iconic Maserati 250F, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, took centre stage in the paddock in a recreation of the 1954 pit lane from the famous Italian race circuit, Monza. 16 examples of the legendary race car were assembled for the event and a large number took part in high speed demonstrations on both Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, 10 of these racing cars took part in the Richmond Trophy – a 15 minute race for front-engined 2.5 litre Grand Prix cars.

On display in the ‘Monza’ pits as well as racing on track was the single-seater Maserati Tipo 420 M 58 ‘Eldorado’, raced by Sir Stirling Moss in the 1958 Monza 500, and on loan from the Panini Museum Collection in Italy.

Large crowds converged on the sunny Goodwood estate this year where Maserati was able to demonstrate not only its past but also its future within the art deco Earls Court Exhibition Centre, reminiscent of the London Motor Shows of the 1950s and 1960s. A 1961 3500 GT Vignale Spyder and a 1969 Ghibli Tipo AM115 took centre stage alongside two examples from Maserati’s current range – the GranCabrio MC and new Ghibli executive saloon. As part of an immersive experience, visitors watched screenings of original Maserati motorsport footage in a miniature vintage cinema alongside the car display.

Available now from Veloce!
Maserati 250F In Focus
By Anthony Pritchard.
The Maserati 250F raced against Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Vanwall for Grand Prix supremacy during the 2500cc Grand Prix Formula years of ’54-’60. Period photographs, including contributions from Tom March, are presented, along with engine cutaways, drawings, technical descriptions, and the chassis and race numbers of every 250F to have competed during this period.
Stories from leading drivers who raced the 250F, including Sir Stirling Moss, Juan Fangio, and Mike Hawthorn, along with Anthony Pritchard’s lively text, helps bring the racing story of this iconic model back to life. More info.

TOP 10 ICONIC CARS AT THE GOODWOOD REVIVAL 2014

The Goodwood Revival takes place this weekend, and once again there will be a mouth-watering selection of iconic cars from the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Here is just a Top 10 taster of the many rare and legendary cars on display and in action on the track:

1. Jaguar D-type – A staggering 20 D-types will be racing in the Lavant Cup, with a record 33 examples parading on the Goodwood circuit to celebrate 60 years of this iconic Jaguar race-winning car.

2. Maserati 250 F – The rare sight of 11 racing 250 Fs in the Richmond Trophy is set to stir the soul of any enthusiast, with a total of 16 examples parading to mark the first 100 years since the revered Maserati marque was founded.

3. The trend-setting Ford Mustang celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and to capture the event, 18 examples will battle in a special Shelby Cup race, racing wheel-to-wheel with contemporary American muscle.

4. The Manx Norton is THE iconic British racing motorcycle. An example contested the Isle of Man TT from 1907 right through to the 1970s. A total of six will take part in the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy, named after Britain’s late two-time 500cc world champion. Included among them is an example of the legendary ‘featherbed’ chassis, to be raced by US legend Kevin Schwantz.

5. Four racing examples of the lusty Ferrari 250 GT SWB/C will be competing in the ‘must see’ two-driver Royal Automobile Club TT Celebration race, along with other desirable and exceedingly valuable cars from Aston Martin, Jaguar, Lotus and others.

6. An ultra-rare 1953 Cunningham C4R will bring some American glamour and excitement to this year’s Freddie March Memorial Trophy race.

7. Sir Jackie Stewart’s 1969 F1 Championship-winning Matra-Cosworth MS80 will form part of a tribute to this versatile and talent Caledonian World Champion, along side Ford Escorts, BRMs and Grand Prix Tyrrells.

8. ‘The Versatile V8’ will be the theme for this year’s Earls Court Concours display, including around 25 exceptional V8-powered passenger cars, including this pioneering rear-engined 1946 Tatra T87.

9. The wonderful 1959 Aston Martin DBR1 makes a welcome racing return to Goodwood for the exciting Sussex Trophy race.

10. Pre-War racing thrills are guaranteed on the Goodwood Trophy, with this thundering 1935 ERA A-Type R4A competing against other ERAs, Bugattis, Aston Martins and other great 1930s racers.

Have you got a favourite from this list? Leave a comment here on the blog.

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WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST VEHICLE?

We think that there's always something very special about owning a car or motorycle, and people always seem to have especially fond memories of the very first vehicle they rode or drove.

Veloce publisher, Rod Grainger pictured here demonstrating his keen interest in all-things automotive from a very early age!

Here are some Veloce authors demonstrating a love for cars & motorcycles when they were younger ...

Lindsay Porter. His father restored this for Lindsay's 3rd birthday. He was more than slightly pleased it seems.

Ian Falloon in 1976 with a Honda 400 Four and Norton Commando 750 Combat to go with the flares and long hair.

Bruce Taylor's first car – who says that low profile tyres are a new idea?

A hippy-looking Malcolm Bobbitt in 1974 with a Citroën Dyane.Can you remember the first vehicle you rode or drove? Why not leave a comment here on the Veloce blog, or post a pic of you with your first car or motorcycle on our Facebook or Twitter pages.

MAZDA UNVEILS THE ALL-NEW MX-5

Mazda revealed the all-new Mazda MX-5 this morning to an exclusive audience in Barcelona and simultaneously around the world at two similar events in Japan and the U.S. The MKIV model, which features a distinctive adaptation of the KODO – Soul of Motion design, received a very warm reception from around 250 media in attendance. It will go on sale in Europe in 2015.

The all-new MX-5 comes with SKYACTIV technology, including specially tuned SKYACTIV-G petrol engines and the first rear-wheel drive version of the SKYACTIV-Chassis. Weighing 100kg less than the outgoing model and with the lowest-ever centre of gravity, the new edition of Mazda’s iconic roadster enhances the Jinba Ittai “rider-and-horse-as one” responsiveness and agility that has always made the MX-5 the essence of driving fun.

The weight reduction also puts the new Mazda MX-5 at a level comparable to the original model, which revived and revolutionised the market for affordable lightweight sports cars when launched back in 1989. More than 947,000have been produced over the past 25 years, and the MX-5 holds the Guinness World Record as the all-time bestselling two-seater sports car.

“Mazda’s current win streak is driven by our highly acclaimed new models, and the all-new MX-5 should only add fuel to the growth engine,” says Mazda Motor Europe President and CEO Jeff Guyton. “Built for the love of driving, this car underscores what Mazda is all about. It will certainly give our brand an added boost.”

Accordingly, “Long live the roadster” was the motto of the unveiling, which also marked the debut of Mazda Space, the company’s brand-new European event hub in Barcelona. The event was streamed live to the MX-5 25th anniversary website and can be viewed here.