Maserati 450S Prototype: Pic Of The Week

A gorgeous Maserati from the glory days of Italian coachbuilding

So the future is not looking bright for the Italian carrozzerie with manufacturers increasingly focusing design in house. When you see some of the cars produced by companies like Bertone and Touring Superleggera, that's a desperate shame.

Who could ignore this shot?

The Maserati 450S seen here has a body by Medardo Fantuzzi, who also worked with Maserati on the 200 and 350S. He later worked with Ferrari through the 1960s.

Isn't it just impossibly pretty? In fact, we're so enamoured by the Maserati that there are two POTW options; a view from the front and the rear. It was too difficult to choose.

And don't think it's just a pretty face. This prototype for the 450S was based on the 350S but used a 5.7-litre V8 with c.520hp. It was driven by Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson in the 1956 Mille Miglia and was used to develop the full 450S for 1957. You can read the incredible story of this car's history on the RM site.

This car was offered at RM's recent Monaco auction but didn't sell. It's high bid was $3,500,000. So if you have a few million spare it may well come up for sale again. If not, content yourself with a rather lovely wallpaper.

Front:
Traditional (4:3)
Computer widescreen (16:10)
TV widescreen (16:9)
Portrait (smartphone, etc)

Rear:
Traditional (4:3)
Computer widescreen (16:10)
TV widescreen (16:9)
Portrait (smartphone, etc)

[Images: RM Auctions]

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