Like most of the old European car companies, Maserati has a long, interesting history that dates back over a century. Here are some of the more interesting aspects of the company’s history that you might not have known about.
The Trident Is From a Statue 
In 1914, the Maserati brothers, led by Alfieri, formed the car company that would bear their name. They founded the company in their hometown of Bologna, one of the ancient trade centers of Northern Italy. One of the city’s most famous landmarks is a giant statue of Neptune, Roman god of the sea, who is standing on a massive fountain covered in water nymphs. The statue wields a particularly pointy trident since that was Neptune’s most famous possession, and in a moment of civic pride, the Maserati brothers decided to use that trident as the emblem for their company.
They Started With Race Cars
During the first few decades of car manufacturing, the only cars on the road were luxury cars since only the rich could afford them. That changed in the 1910s and 20s thanks to the Ford Model T, but that didn’t filter through to European car markets until much later. That’s why most of the old European car companies have such a long history of creating small numbers of luxury vehicles. Maserati was no different in this regard, but in their case they built cars exclusively designed for race tracks up until 1947.
They Won the Indy 500 Twice
Saying that one company’s cars won a 100-year-old race twice doesn’t sound all that impressive, but that’s only when you realize who hasn’t won the Indy 500 even once: Ferrari. European automakers weren’t that big into an American race for the first half of the 20th century, but over the years the Brickyard’s signature race has become one of the most prestigious events in auto racing. Even so, Maserati remains the only Italian manufacturer whose car crossed the finish line first.
Maserati Engines Won More than Car Races
In the 1950s, a man named Cantieri Timossi built a hydroplaning boat which used a Maserati engine. The engine was a V8 that could get 400 horsepower, and it came from one of the company’s successful racing cars, the 450S. Unfortunately, that race car would be the last one they ever produced, at least as a racing team sponsor. But on the bright side, the hydroplaning boat that used the company’s engine went on to win the world championship in 1958.
Between all the race cars, the luxury vehicles, and all the different owners Maserati has had over the years, the Italian car maker has certainly had an interesting history. Maserati may be the only company in the world to have started by building race cars but to have sworn off making them ever again half a century later. They’re certainly the only company to create the unique and luxurious car designs which they now sell, and which sell for less than what you might expect from an Italian luxury manufacturer.
Image via Flickr by jrsnchzhrs
