Centenary celebrations roll on at Maserati

Maserati has not allowed recognition of its first 100 years to go unnoticed.

From global appearances at events such as the Monterey Car Week in the USA and the Goodwood Revival in the UK to large-scale events in the company’s home country, including the grand finale in Bologna in September, the Trident brand has been engaged in plenty of revelry during the year.

All this has been a lead-up to the actual founding date of December 1, 1914 which is being marked by a special plaque affixed to the original building at 1A via d’ Pepoli in the centre of Bologna, where the three Maserati brothers set up business as a repair workshop and garage.

According to Maserati CEO Harald Wester: “The plaque is a symbolic tribute to an anniversary of fundamental importance to Maserati. In fact, we are celebrating the Centennial in a particularly significant year for us. This year marks one hundred years since our company’s foundation, is also the year in which the Quattroporte and Ghibli have beaten all previous sales records; in which the American market –  with the Ghibli –  and the Chinese market with the Quattroporte – have amply rewarded the efforts we have made to offer a new, beautiful, competitive product, truly capable of responding to market demand; it is the year in which the GranTurismo and GranCabrio sports cars have continued to achieve international success.”

The ceremony was attended by two of the founders’ sons: Carlo Maserati, the son of Ettore Maserati, and Ernesto Maserati’s son Alfieri Maserati.

Speaking at the dedication of the plaque, Alfieri Maserati said: “Founded as Officine Alfieri Maserati in 1914, this business, springing from the enterprising spirit and genius of its founder, my Uncle Alfieri, continued in operation after his early death in March 1932 thanks to the dedication and extreme personal sacrifices of his brothers.

“I feel I must mention the extraordinary engineering and design creativity of the youngest of them, Ernesto Maserati, my father. The period witnessed the birth of an amazing series of both Grand Prix cars and Voiturettes, as well as world-beating cars that actually held as many as 13 international speed records simultaneously.

“After the Maserati brothers left the business in 1947, other people stepped in to continue its success. Its acquisition by the Fiat Group has brought Maserati to a position of absolute prestige, today, with constant growth in terms of both quality and quantity. It is a pleasure to celebrate the Centennial at a time like this, and one hundred years after the company's foundation, I have great admiration for the hard work, dedication and enthusiasm of everyone who works there. They have conserved the spirit of its founders.”

The plaque reads: “Società Anonima Officine Alfieri Maserati” was founded in this building on 1 December 1914. Thanks to the genius and labours of Alfieri and his brothers Ettore, Ernesto and Bindo the company went on to gain international fame and prestige thus contributing to the world’s awareness of Bologna’s excellent industrial identity.”

A big year for the Italian sports car manufacturer – and one that is not quite over yet. The Maserati 100 – A Century of Pure Italian Luxury Sports Cars exhibition held in Modena’s Museo Enzo Ferrari, does not close its doors until the end of January 2015.

And, fittingly, Maserati has just marked its centennial celebrations with the production of its 50,000th car at its new factory in Grugliasco in Turin, which has been in operation for less than two years. Even more fittingly for Australia, the company also opened its latest stand-alone dealerships, McCarrolls Maserati on Sydney’s North Shore and Melbourne Maserati, on the day of the company’s 100th birthday.

The 50,000th Maserati was a Quattroporte S resplendent in the new hue Grigio Maratea and earmarked for shipment to the USA where a record number of more than 10,700 Maseratis have been sold so far this year.