Fantasy Junction

Description

1958 Maserati 450S Recreation
s/n AM112/1.196, engine no. S529
Red with Black Interior

Fueled by racing and driven to build the fastest competition sports cars, the Maserati brothers had risen from their pre-war bootstraps to become leaders in performance engineering and dedicated artisanship. Through determination and innovation, Maserati assembled some of the finest racecars in the world, attracting world-class drivers, reminding everyone that Italy could host more than one national sports car leader at the racetrack. Though lacking the resources of larger companies, Maserati remained highly competitive, earning multiple world racing titles including a win at the prestigious Indianapolis 500. But it would ultimately be the 450S that would bring Maserati world acclaim, albeit at the end of their illustrious racing lineage. Some of the greatest names in racing history piloted the nine original 450S racecars in many of the top races through the late 50s and early 60s, including Sterling Moss, Juan Manuel Fangio, Carroll Shelby, and Jim Hall.

This extraordinary Maserati 450S recreation has been hand crafted in Alloy with exceptional care and detail by Peter Bowden and other specialized vendors, using construction methods consistent with period processes used during the build of the original legendary nine examples. Beginning with a wood forming buck, the aluminum body was hand-planished following dimensions and body features from 450S chassis #4510. A thicker grade of aluminum was used in order to avoid the frailty of the thinner panels used on the original racecars. Accurate hood air vents, correct rear wheel arches, Lexan headlight covers, and distinctive trailing rear wheel gills were all accurately formed into the body. The specialized triangulated space frame was formed by Tig welding using 4130 chromoly steel tubing.

The 4.7 liter four-cam V8 engine was been fully rebuilt to high performance standards and mated to a vintage five-speed ZF S5-325 transmission. Four 2bbl Weber 44 carburetors with polished air horns sit atop the beautifully finished intake casting. A dry sump oil system with sight level gauge was specially formed using lightweight aluminum to keep the engine properly lubricated. For cooling, a custom radiator and overflow tank were also specially constructed. Mandrill-formed side exit exhaust pipes and headers were carefully installed and mounted to the lower body panels. A beautiful finishing touch is the polished aluminum original style riveted fuel tank which envelopes an FIA interior safety fuel cell, running an electric fuel pump with an external fuel pressure gauge.

For suspension duties, modern, fully independent suspension was sourced from a contemporary sports car and mounted to the tubular frame. Polished unequal length upper and lower front A-arms and polished rear suspension with upper and lower control arms were used along with coil-over shocks and four-wheel disc brakes at all four corners. Other details that truly set this build apart are the many vintage touches from the period, including classic style tube oil lines, custom Girling fluid reservoirs, vintage cloth wrapped electrical lines, vintage Lucas taillights, and classic style headlamps with built in turn signals.

Inside the cockpit, the entire .250 windscreen and door windows were specially constructed by Aircraft Windshield Co. surface polished, flame-edged, drilled, and fitted to the cowl frame using polished hardware. The dashboard is finished in raw aluminum and features custom blue faced gauges with Maserati emblems. A pair of custom aluminum vintage style racing seats purposefully accent against the raw aluminum transmission tunnel and hinged aluminum doors. A vintage style pedal assembly and wood rimmed steering wheel finish off the interior with additional touches of hand-crafted excellence.

Today this Maserati 450S presents essentially as new, having been recently completed and driven just a handful of miles after assembly. The stunning aluminum construction and sensuous body lines are beautifully enhanced by the smooth and glossy vivid red paint which has been expertly applied throughout the car. The body has been crafted with great care including all the wonderful original details of the 450S; the delicate louvers, distinctive side vents, covered headlights, and powerful hood bulge. The wide grille, side vents, and side exhaust delivers the ethos of vintage racing with tightly cut wheel openings that combine to make a sinister and dramatic performance stance. The reflections lines are beautifully composed over the hand formed aluminum body, depicting accurate features from the celebrated original, with only minor dimensional variations departing from the iconic 450S racecars. The wide, updated chrome plated wire wheels shod with Vredestein T-Trac 195/70R15 tires add to the dramatic and purposeful look of the car. The hood and trunk panels have excellent fit, while the hinged doors have some slight variation and have left a few minor paint chips along the edges from opening and closing. The removable head fairing and the hinged trunk area are easily accessed and show good fit when in place. Even the trailing rear fender vents are perfectly formed, tapering out the rounded rear profile and fluid head fairing. The clear plexiglass windshield encircles the forward and side sections of the car with correct mounting along the top of the cowl. The lightweight polished exterior trim and handles are all in excellent condition. The lighting and lenses are all beautifully finished with care and authenticity, consistent with the integrity of the entire presentation.

Opening the driver’s door, entry is easier than expected due to the lengthy footwell space. Once inside, seating position and steering wheel reach is very comfortable even for those with longer legs. The gearbox is properly positioned, and foot pedals are conveniently located without a great deal of offset, typically found in cars of this period. The handsome wood steering wheel and blue-faced gauges make for a wonderful vintage presentation, particularly peering over the expansive red hood as it stretches out over the glorious V8 Maserati engine.

Unlatching the spring-loaded vintage style external hood releases and raising the hinged hood, the fantastic quad-cam V8 engine is revealed. The first impression is immediately dramatic and captivating, highlighted by the trumpeted quad Weber carburetors. The construction of the engine compartment and engine combines vintage components and modern suspension corners in a very cohesive way. Satin silver castings, proper hoses, vintage lines, and correct fasteners have all been utilized and installed with attention to detail, delivering a very strong impression. The underside of the car is clean and shows little to no signs of use, excellent structural features and visual condition reflective of the mechanical integrity of the entire car.

The car starts easily, waking up with a raspy bark and instant sonorous idle, bristling from the side exhausts. The five-speed gearbox is easily engaged, and the clutch takes up smoothly. Once warmed, acceleration is instant as the power comes and the engine delivers a proud roar into higher revs. The modern braking is very good, coming down evenly with great pedal pressure from higher speeds, and even tracking, benefiting from responsive and well-engineered suspension. Overall, this Maserati 450S recreation delivers an exhilarating motoring experience combining striking performance with iconic looks. The car comes with multiple receipts for outside services and parts used during the construction and a digital file with reference photos documenting the build of the car. As with any specialty constructed, freshly built automobile of this type, we would anticipate additional sorting to be requited before long-distance rally use.

With only nine original Maserati 450S race cars ever constructed, a sophisticated recreation in aluminum such as this presents a remarkable opportunity to own and drive an iconic piece of history for a fraction of the cost of the original. Not only is this car freshly constructed, it would be impossible to build such a well-made example today for the cost offered in this finished car. This Maserati 450S combines racing lineage, high quality professional craftsmanship, and excellent visual presentation, ready for enjoyable driving, vintage events, or concours exhibits.

Please note this car is titled in California as a 1967 Maserati two door.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608