Maserati “Eldorado” celebrates 60 years

Ice cream and motors, these are the ingredients for the designing of Maserati Type 420/M/58. It was built to participate in the Two World Trophy, focused on the Indianapolis 500 in Monza.

Entrepreneur Gino Zanetti, owner of the Eldorado ice cream factory, sponsored the creation of this special Maserati and made arrangements with Stirling Moss. The backbone tube chassis was inspired by the one of Formula 1 250F.

Its 4190cc V8 engine, dispenses 410 BHP at 8000 revs and may reach a speed 350 km/h. The bodywork, with the flashy rear stabilising “fin” is signed by Fantuzzi.

On 29th June 1958 the 500 mile race in Monza is held. On the 40th lap, Stirling Moss “high-speed oval”, broke the steering and ended up off the track. Due to his skills, and luck, it ended without any harm to the driver, who qualified seventh overall.

The same model participated also in the Indianapolis 500 (miles), but it failed to qualify. The on-track adventure for “Eldorado” ended there.

In the photographs you can see the marvellous hand-made model by Mr. Mauro Bonaccini, read the article here.