HIGHLIGHTS

Amazing unique recreation of this F1 legend
Built around 25 years ago
Hand-built aluminium body
Authentic-looking period details
BMW 2.5-litre straight-six

THE APPEAL

The stuff of post-war schoolboy’s racing car dreams, the Maserati 250F is regarded as the most beautiful Grand Prix car of the 1950’s and certainly among the most successful of single-seater’s.

The car was developed in period but adhered to the basic principles, deploying a lightweight tubular frame dressed in aluminium panels with power provided by a naturally-aspirated Maserati straight-six engine.

Racing in the new 2.5-litre formula between 1954 and 1960, the 250F enjoyed a relatively long career in the hands of privateers such as the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio who won his first world championship in a 250F in 1954.

Other driver’s included Stirling Moss, who was mightily impressed with the car’s performance and balance and later declared it the best font-engined F1 car he had driven.

In total, twenty-six original 250F’s were built and competed in 46 Formula One championship races with 277 entries leading to eight wins. Other event successes were also gained at this time, and of course, some of these cars are still campaigned today at historic events such as the Goodwood Revival.

Moving swiftly on, this amazing recreation of the original Italian ‘dream machine’ was reputedly built some 25 years ago by an aircraft engineer and was carefully reproduced to retain the look and feel of the famous race car. 100’s of hours have gone into it’s development and represents an incredible opportunity to own a replica motor racing legend. Please read on…

THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK

Up to date V5 present (listed as a 1968 Triumph Vitesse saloon)
Triumph vin-plate on bulkhead
Online MOT notes record car as a Maserati BiTurbo
One recorded ‘Pass’ MOT in 2014 (exempt)
Taxed until 1st November 2023 (exempt)

This road registered car doesn’t come with any specific build information or maintenance history. The minimal recorded mileage is also unconfirmed, so It is case of what you see is what you get - what you get, however, looks amazing and is cleverly engineered. With a degree of maintenance, it should offer an incredible driving experience.

THE INTERIOR

Authentic-looking cockpit
Period-style gauges and equipment
Comfortable bucket seat

Once aboard this special car, the red leather bucket seat and four-point harness hold you in a comfortable driving position behind the gorgeous wood-rimmed steering wheel. A nod to the Maserati’s success at the Monaco Grand Prix in 1956 is attached.

Excellent Smiths instrumentation adorns the aluminium dashboard and includes the speedometer, tachometer, combined oil and water temperature gauges and fuel gauge. A modern odometer is neatly positioned in the speedo’ and period switchgear is in-situ.

The simple and intuitive cockpit is laid out pretty much as per the original 250F, with the driver’s legs astride the transmission tunnel. As you would expect, the clutch pedal is left and brake and throttle pedals to the right.

The gear lever, handbrake and electrical cut-off switch are positioned on the floor to your left and a fuel cut-off tap is on the right.

THE EXTERIOR

Impressive and detailed hand-made aluminium body
Strong ladder chassis
Befitting wire wheels with Blockley tyres

Dominated by the long ‘nose’, distinctive oval grille and fabulous curvaceous rear, it’s easy to see why the 250F is considered one of the most beautiful F1 cars ever made.

Adhering as closely to the original proportions, the cold-riveted mirror-polished aluminium body looks incredible, especially in the sunshine. You can only guess at the level of skilled time and patience that went into creating this replica.

The curved perspex screen is in good condition, as are the chrome bullet mirrors, mudguards and tail lights. The six-into-two exhaust system is painted with VHT paint and has a hand-made heat shield over the silencer (not that quiet though!).

A strong chassis sits beneath the body and comprises of braced 2” main rails and a tubular ladder-frame, similar to the original 250F construction. Having been built some years ago, we can see some superficial surface corrosion to parts of the painted chassis, inner framework and suspension.

Presentable painted wire wheels are attached and are shod with decent 5.50-16 Blockley cross-ply tyres up front and 6.00-16 ones at the rear.

A lightweight detachable front lighting frame comes with the car if you wish to venture out after dark (see photo).

THE MECHANICS

BMW 2.5-litre straight-six
Modern automotive features
Adjustable suspension and vented disc brakes

Under the removable bonnet, we discover an equally shiny engine compartment where mechanical development has also been a labour of love.

The most significant departure from a genuine 250F is the inclusion of a BMW 325i derived engine with reasonably comparable performance figures of around 215 bhp @ 6,500 rpm (The Maserati A6 straight-six produced around 220 bhp @ 7,400 rpm).

The old electronic ignition has been replaced with a programmable Megajolt system and the fuel injection has been swapped out for triple Weber 45 DCOE carburettors. The original BMW 5-speed gearbox is also fitted.

Sticking to historic engineering principles, you won’t find PAS, ABS or traction control on this animal, but efficient upgrades include a fuel regulator, alloy radiator, thermostatically controlled fan and a competition battery.

Looking at the set-up, this F1 replica ought to handle well with adjustable rose-jointed wishbone suspension all round and stop well with the vented front and rear disc brakes.

The car will require some servicing and a tune as it has been stationary for a while. However it starts, runs and drives, and sounds incredible - just like a historic race car should.

SUMMARY

Regarded as the definitive front-engined Grand Prix racer, the Maserati 250F was renowned for it’s great handling and performance as reinforced by numerous track successes in the hands of so many famous racing driver’s during the heyday of F1.

This precision-engineered replica not only looks amazing but represents a great opportunity to experience the driving techniques and exhilaration those fearless racers enjoyed during the 1950’s, and indeed, on-track at today’s worldwide historic motorsport events.

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