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Maserati 8CTF “Boyle Special” runs historic lap
in commemoration of Indianapolis 500 two-time victory
Marks the first European car entered into the U.S. Library of Congress
Englewood Cliffs, NJ, May 25th — Reminiscent of its renowned win at the very same track, the Maserati 8CTF “Boyle Special” 8CTF (serial number 3032) relived its final victory lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway exactly 75 years later. On the brink of Maserati’s 100th anniversary, the 8CTF was honored at the Indy 500 in commemoration of its declared win in 1939. Behind the wheel of the vintage automobile was JohnnyRutherford,three-time Indy500winner, muchlike the celebrated WilburShaw that historically claimed his two-time victory for Maserati in 1939 and 1940 respectively.
The legendary Maserati 8CTF was immortalized by the Historical Vehicle Association (HVA) today as the first foreign manufactured automobile to be permanentlyarchivedintothe United StatesLibraryofCongress, a new effort to authenticate historicallysignificant automobiles. Recorded underthe U.S. SecretaryoftheInterior’sStandards forHeritageDocumentation, thedocumentationwillremainpartoftheHVA NationalHistoricVehicleRegisterandHistoricAmericanEngineeringRecord(HAER).
“As we are celebrating our first 100 years, Maserati is proudly charting its course for the next century” states Harald Wester, Chief Executive Officer of Maserati S.p.A. “We are deeply appreciative of this act that demonstrates the long significant bond between Maserati and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, furthering the link between our brand and the United States.”
The fateful 8CTF project was conceived by Ernesto Maserati at the beginning of 1938 with the strong support of the Italian industrialist Orsi family behind it. Characterized by its fixed head and 8-cylinder engine, the “Boyle Special” allowed for powerful, faster acceleration and remarkable reliability; traits which we still attribute to Maserati to date. The 8CTF was Maserati's answer to the dominance of other European manufacturers on the race circuit of the 30’s era. The fact that only a few years later, a triumphant Maserati captured back-to-back victories in ‘The World’s Most Famous Race,’ remains at the heart of Maserati’s legend today.
“Witnessing the vintage Maserati 8CTF run with such rich automotive context of the Indianapolis 500 during its milestone anniversary is remarkable,” says Peter Grady, President and CEO of Maserati North America, Inc. At the century mark, Maserati is in the strongest position of its lifetime with two brand new sport-sedans, all-time high sales record and an exciting industrial plan.
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About Maserati SpA
Maserati is a Italian luxury car manufacturer which was established on 1 December 1914 the Italian city of Bologna by its founder Alfieri Maserati and his brothers before moving in 1940 to Modena, where the company is now headquartered. Their passion and talent contributed to the company DNA: innovation, excellence, and challenge, which are reflected in the brand’s assertion that Maserati is “The absolute opposite of ordinary”. The company's headquarters and main production location in Modena have been joined by a second state-of-the-art production location, based on the highest quality standards of the World Class Manufacturing (WCM) concept, in Grugliasco, near Turin which opened 2013. Maserati has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993.
Its emblem, the trident, was inspired by the fountain on the Piazza del Nettuno in the center of Bologna. It is a symbol that ties together the brothers, their hometown, and the artistry and craftsmanship for which Bologna and Emilia-Romagna are known.
Through major investments into product development, production facilities as well as its worldwide dealer network, Maserati has hit a turning point. In addition to the successful GranTurismo and GranCabrio ranges, the latest generation of Maserati’s flagship sedan, the Quattroporte, and the new sports executive sedan, the Ghibli, provide the cornerstones to the brand’s strategy of producing some 50,000 units annually by 2015 and gaining a significantly strengthened presence in the global luxury car market.
In 2013 Maserati posted a 148% increase in shipments to 15,400 vehicles, driven by the success of the new Quattroporte and Ghibli models. Its major markets include the USA (2013: 6,900, plus 138%), China (2013: 3,800, plus 334%), Europe (2013: 2,500, plus 133%) as well as Asia-Pacific (2013: 1,300, plus 52%) and the Middle East (2013: 750, plus 81%). For 2013, the company posted revenue of Euro 1,659 million (plus 120%) and a trading profit Euro 171 million, an increase of Euro 114 million
About European Automotive Imports
European Automotive Imports (EAI), trading as Maserati Australia and New Zealand, was appointed as the distributor of Maserati, its products and services in Australia and New Zealand in 2005, starting operations on 1 October that year, initially from offices in the Sydney suburb of Homebush before moving, in 2010 to its present offices in Waterloo. The company also took over the New South Wales retail Maserati representation from 1 October 2005, initially as Italia Motori until the completion of the new facility in Waterloo as both home to EAI and the new dealership, Ferrari Maserati Sydney, which opened its doors in 2010. From 2013 EAI has also controlled the Maserati retail outlet ‘Maserati Auckland’ in New Zealand. In addition to offices for EAI Maserati dedicated showroom and workshop facilities, the Waterloo facility also provides a state of the art training facility for both technical and sales training. EAI has a fully computerised parts facility in Sydney to ensure fast and efficient distribution of parts and accessories.
EAI is a private company wholly owned by its Executive Chairman, Neville Crichton, and it is not a subsidiary of any of Mr Crichton’s other companies. Maserati Australia and New Zealand is headed by Glenn Sealey, who took over as General Manager in 2010, and who has overseen a doubling of team responsible for Maserati in Australia and New Zealand. These include Bilgen Tug, National Marketing and Public Relations Manager; David Weihen, National Aftersales Manager; Alex Ball, National Sales Manager and Angelo Ruberto, General Manager of Ferrari Maserati Sydney.
Following its appointment, EAI set about a major renewal of its dealer group, with all-new dealerships opening in Brisbane (2006), Melbourne (2008), Perth (2008), Sydney (2010), Adelaide (2013) and Auckland (2013) with major refurbishments in Sydney, Adelaide and Auckland prior to new facilities opening. In addition, Christchurch opened initially as a Maserati service centre bringing the marque officially to the South Island of New Zealand in 2008 and this was expanded to a full dealership in 2013. In Maserati’s centenary year these dealerships will be joined by a second dealership each in Sydney and Melbourne to serve the growing customer base and, in 2016, another dealership in Queensland.
EAI has consistently grown Maserati sales in Australia with its annual best in 2008 with a total of 201 units, a record which is set to be broken in 2014 with sales expected to exceed 300 units. With arrival of new products, EAI plans to take Maserati to an annual sales figure of 1500 by 2016.
For further information, please contact
Glen Sealey
/ Tel: +61 2 8577 8070General Manager / Fax: +61 2 8577 8079
Maserati Australia and New Zealand / E:
Release Number: Maserati_439
Date of release: 9/27/2018 10:23:18 PM