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Maserati Eldorado Special


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#1 nicanary

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Posted 08 March 2012 - 13:36

I have recently read an old thread somewhere on the web concerning cars that were built for, but never raced at, the Indy 500.

Amongst the cars listed was the infamous Maserati Eldorado Special, but it was dated as 1959 - could the intention have been to enter it for the Brickyard the year after the Monzapolis of '58?
I'm sure that "the Great Man" wouldn't have been too keen to get involved' not after his previous experiences with the monstrosity.You dread to think what the Indy scrutineers would have thought of it.

Any info anyone? Was it entered that year?

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#2 Tim Murray

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Posted 08 March 2012 - 14:04

It was entered for the 500 in 1959 but failed to qualify. See this earlier thread:

Did 1958 Eldorado Maserati race more than once?

Edit: ... and there's a photo of the car at Indy in this thread:

Photo ID help please?

Edited by Tim Murray, 08 March 2012 - 14:20.


#3 nicanary

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Posted 08 March 2012 - 14:57

It was entered for the 500 in 1959 but failed to qualify. See this earlier thread:

Did 1958 Eldorado Maserati race more than once?

Edit: ... and there's a photo of the car at Indy in this thread:

Photo ID help please?



Many thanks. Because I'm new to the forum,I haven't had a chance to read the whole shebang in back-posts.
I've always been amused by the Monza story - some accounts say that when it rained during practice the Yanks downed tools, as was their way, so Stirling took the "beast" out and put it into slides coming off the banking, just to put the wind up them. I feel that some of the stories about the steering wheel coming off in his hand on the banking are just that - stories. I would think it was more likely it worked loose or became a bit too "flexible".

#4 buckaluck

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Posted 08 March 2012 - 20:39

A few years back it was on display at the Monterey Historics and I have a few pics of the car it looked great I didn't know much about the history of the car.

Buck

#5 bradbury west

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Posted 09 March 2012 - 00:38

Many thanks. Because I'm new to the forum,I haven't had a chance to read the whole shebang in back-posts.


Welcome to TNF. I am sure you will find the key word SEARCH facility tool on the top header on the front page a very useful device. It may help to answer some of your questions, or to expand on what you know, prompting further fresh enquiries within the ethos of TNF.
Roger Lund

edit. That is how the ever supportive Tim Murray came up with the links for you.

Edited by bradbury west, 09 March 2012 - 00:40.


#6 Dave Williamson

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Posted 09 March 2012 - 04:07

Many thanks. Because I'm new to the forum,I haven't had a chance to read the whole shebang in back-posts.
I've always been amused by the Monza story - some accounts say that when it rained during practice the Yanks downed tools, as was their way, so Stirling took the "beast" out and put it into slides coming off the banking, just to put the wind up them. I feel that some of the stories about the steering wheel coming off in his hand on the banking are just that - stories. I would think it was more likely it worked loose or became a bit too "flexible".


The steering wheel did not "come off in his hand". Moss would be very amused at THAT story! The reality was that the steering arm - attached to the stub axle- simply broke off (it sheared)
The resultant effect was that the car swerved violently right ...up the banking (Remembering that this race was run ANTI clockwise - so as to suit the US cars built for the Indy 500 track) It crunched into the Armco rail at the top with with a VERY violent bang that caused Moss to think "well, I supppose this is the big one". The dent was easy to spot!
Thankfully for Moss, reducing inertia caused the now-crippled car to slide crazily back down the banking... until it parked itself on the level section of grass next to the track. The very long and very black tyre marks on the banking told the frightening tale.

Even today, Sir Stirling Moss says something along the lines of: "It was this crash at Monza that really scared me the most, because of the incredible speeds I was achieving on that very bumpy Monza banking ...and the severity of the first impact into the Arrmco." (My quote marks.DW)

For a look at the Pathe news item about this, go to : http://www.britishpa...s-narrow-escape
Dave W.

#7 nicanary

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Posted 09 March 2012 - 12:29

Thanks folks for all the info..

You really have no idea of how useless I am with my laptop, so you'll all have to bear with me.I only found out the other day what a "return" button was ( why does it say enter if it should be return?) You get the picture?

#8 D-Type

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Posted 09 March 2012 - 12:39

Thanks folks for all the info..

You really have no idea of how useless I am with my laptop, so you'll all have to bear with me.I only found out the other day what a "return" button was ( why does it say enter if it should be return?) You get the picture?

And press "Start" to switch off

Believe it or not, I found that my optician used one finger to type on his laptop. I am progressing from two to two-and-a half fingers.

Edited by D-Type, 09 March 2012 - 12:41.


#9 Sharman

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Posted 09 March 2012 - 14:38

:p Does any body know if El Dorado Ice Cream still survives?

#10 Eric Dunsdon

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Posted 09 March 2012 - 15:19

:p Does any body know if El Dorado Ice Cream still survives?

I believe that there are still El Dorado ice cream shops in the U.S.A. Iwonder if its the real deal 'Gelato' though?!.

El Dorado became part of the U.K Joe Lyons group sometime in the 1960's.

I saw that Monza-Maserati on show at one of the Silverstone Coys Historic Festivals a few years ago. A very impressive motor!.

#11 Bloggsworth

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Posted 09 March 2012 - 22:22

In the early 1950s Eldorado arrived just after the end of sweet rationing - Paradise in an ice-cream cone, a different class from Lyons Maid or Walls. In Cambridge, the man wearing a white coat and cap, pedalling his articulated tricycle, would arrive at the Regent's Street corner of Parker's Piece and peddle his wares; the first soft ice-cream we had ever tasted, ambrosia for the young. It wasn't around for long, I can't remember seeing it after we returned from Arabia at the end of '54; I guess the combined advertising weight of Walls & J Lyons & Co. (and the work done by Maggie Thatcher on developing the 99) saw them off. I do recall that they used a polar bear on their advertising hoardings.

#12 macoran

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Posted 09 March 2012 - 22:39

I only found out the other day what a "return" button was ( why does it say enter if it should be return?) You get the picture?

No I don't...................what does your backspace button do ?

#13 nicanary

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Posted 10 March 2012 - 11:04

No idea - although I must say that I'm Norfolk-born. so you'd think I would be like quicksilver on the keys (All together now - "Twelve little tiny fingers, twelve tiny toes.....".)


My daughter has just shown me how to open a tab - I thought that was Geordie for a fag.



#14 Rob Miller

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Posted 11 March 2012 - 19:57

It was entered for the 500 in 1959 but failed to qualify. See this earlier thread:

Did 1958 Eldorado Maserati race more than once?


The earlier thread mentioned the the car spent the 1960's in Brazil but never determined if it was raced there. Has anything been uncovered since?

I can easily understand how this thread has gone ot on ice cream but keyboard keys??

#15 Bloggsworth

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Posted 11 March 2012 - 21:30

The earlier thread mentioned the the car spent the 1960's in Brazil but never determined if it was raced there. Has anything been uncovered since?

I can easily understand how this thread has gone ot on ice cream but keyboard keys??



He was trying to type 99...

#16 Dave Williamson

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Posted 06 September 2012 - 12:33

The earlier thread mentioned the the car spent the 1960's in Brazil but never determined if it was raced there. Has anything been uncovered since?
I can easily understand how this thread has gone ot on ice cream but keyboard keys??



This quite large and "mean looking" car was rebuilt by Carrozzeria Campana in Modena and today it simply looks superb.
It resides these days in the Panini Museum only a few kms from Modena. It is definately worth the trip to Modena to see this wonderful (private) Maserati collection...plus other makes as well.
The Eldorado Maserati is ony taken out on rare occasions, to premier events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed etc.

I hope this helps ....

Cheers

PS: Carrozzeria Campana also made a miniature of the Eldorado Maserati as a childs toy car ....


#17 Henri Greuter

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Posted 06 September 2012 - 12:45

This quite large and "mean looking" car was rebuilt by Carrozzeria Campana in Modena and today it simply looks superb.
It resides these days in the Panini Museum only a few kms from Modena. It is definately worth the trip to Modena to see this wonderful (private) Maserati collection...plus other makes as well.
The Eldorado Maserati is ony taken out on rare occasions, to premier events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed etc.

I hope this helps ....

Cheers

PS: Carrozzeria Campana also made a miniature of the Eldorado Maserati as a childs toy car ....



I have seen the car at Goodwood in 1998, regrettably I am useless behind a PC if it comes to posting images to approve it right now.
But if all goes well, then one of my pictures of the car will appear at the internet within some time to come.
Working on that project in which it will appear is slowly progressing....


Henri