Maserati 420M/58

The Maserati 420M/58 Eldorado was a single-seater manufactured by Maserati in 1958. It was a one-off race car purpose-built for the second edition of the 500 Miles of Monza. It was the first single-seater in Europe to be sponsored by a brand not attached to an automobile industry. The internal Maserati classification was the Tipo 4, behind the 250F variants, and also referred to as the 420/M/58 for 4.2-litre displacement, Monoposto or a single-seater in Italian and 1958 year, or simply as the "Eldorado".[1]

In 2020, Maserati paid homage to Sir Stirling Moss, who died on 12 April 2020 at the age of 90, by decorating a prototype of the Maserati MC20 with the 'Stirling Moss' script from the "Eldorado" single seater.[2]

Currently the Maserati "Eldorado", with bodywork and livery restored to its 1958 specification, is part of the Umberto Panini's Maserati collection in Modena.[3]

Development

Racing

Race of Two Worlds

The Race of Two Worlds (Trofeo dei Due Mondi in Italian) was first held in 1957, as an attempt for the European and American race cars to compete on the same track. Even though the Indianapolis 500 had been part of the World Championship, not many European entries were seen there. After 1955, the Monza circuit had been reconfigured and new concrete oval banking erected in an image of Indy 500. The race was run under the Indianapolis 500 regulations and the first edition was dominated by American entries. The unique Maserati 420M/58 was to be driven by a former works driver Stirling Moss. His opposition for the race was made up mainly of American Indy racers with three Ferraris, a pair of Jaguar D-Types and the unique Lister–Jaguar.[8]

The Race of Two World would be the first outing for the 420M/58, but not as factory entry but under privateer Eldorado racing team.[1] During the qualification the Maserati, driven by Stirling Moss ended up in eleventh place for the start. The actual race held on 29 June 1958, at the Monza track, was divided into three heats.[9]

After the first heat Moss elevated his position to a fourth place.[10] The second heat he finished as the fifth driver.[11] During the final heat, being fourth overall, his steering broke on 41st lap and the car went into the rails at around 250–260 km/h. Luckily Moss walked away from the accident and the car was only lightly damaged. He would later describe it as the "scariest motor racing accident of his career".[1] Even though he could achieve a third place on the podium the overall score was a seventh place overall, taking into account all the heats and the total number of laps finished.[12]

Once again the American cars proved superior on the oval track. The race itself was partially a success in terms of a spectator numbers but it was not organised for the 1959 season.[13]

Indianapolis 500

The 1939 and 1940 Indianapolis 500 races were won by Maserati with 8CTF 'Boyle Special'. Wilbur Shaw almost scored a victory for the third time in 1941, but was forced to withdraw with a broken wheel. Maserati would return to Indy 500 with a 420M/58 for its 1959 edition. The car, previously damaged, was repaired and slightly rebodied to fit a different race requirements. The Carrozzeria Allegretti e Gentilini removed the rear fin and lowered the hood scoop. The engine oil tank was repositioned to the left for better weight balance. The livery was finished in Italian racing red but still retained the Eldorado sponsorship name and logos. The intended driver was Ralph Liguori representing a privateer Eldorado Racing team.[14]

The car had problems during qualifying stage and set the 36th fastest time out of only the first 33 qualifying. The faulty fuel pick-up prevented it from entering the actual race. This also proved to be the car's last outing.[15]

car name	Maserati 420M/58
constructor	Maserati
designer	Giulio Alfieri
team	Officine Alfieri Maserati Eldorado Racing
drivers	🇬🇧 Stirling Moss 🇺🇸 Ralph Liguori
chassis	Tubular steel spaceframe
rear suspension	De Dion axle, transverse leaf spring, Houdaille hydraulic dampers
front suspension	Independent double wishbones, coil springs, Houdaille hydraulic dampers
length	4800 mm
width	1200 mm
height	1100 mm
wheelbase	2400 mm
capacity	4190 cc
configuration	90° V8
turbo/na	naturally-aspirated
engine position	front-engine, longitudinally mounted
gears	2-speed
type	manual transmission
weight	758 kg
tyres	Firestone
debut	1958 Race of Two Worlds
last event	1959 Indianapolis 500
entries	2
races	1
wins	0
podiums	0

Development

Sponsorship

Bodywork

Specifications

Engine and transmission

Chassis and suspension

Racing

Race of Two Worlds

Indianapolis 500

See also

References