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Maserati: Alfieri concept car to be put into production in 2016

16 June, 2014

 

Maserati will be putting a concept car into production that is likely to be a bit of a rival of the Porsche 911.

The Alfieri concept will be put into production in 2016 with a plan to produce it in both coupe and convertible forms, on rear- and four-wheel drive platforms that will be shared with new Alfa Romeo models.

Unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, the Alfieri concept car is all about the company’s sports heritage and the future of Maserati design.

It’s named after Alfieri Maserati, one of the five Maserati brothers, who loved speed and raced cars as a mechanic and from the driver’s seat. The unveiling of the Alfieri concept marked 100 years since Alfieri and brothers Ettore and Ernesto Maserati opened their workshop.

Taipan – surpassing interest

“It’s merely a passing interest,” insists Selby — despite owning three variants of the classic VW Beetle, including an unusual VW van that was sold as a body kit for a Subaru. In his defence he points to a 1961 Ford Thunderbird, a car that he converted to right-hand drive. However, on the VW side of the ledger, since he opened Allison Autos in Whanganui 27 years ago, Selby has built 15 VW-powered Formula First cars, followed by a beach buggy, restored a derelict Karmann Ghia, and hot-rodded a common or garden Beetle into something that has to be seen to be believed. As speed is not something generally associated with classic VWs, though, Selby is still waiting for this particular modification to catch on amongst the hot rod faithful.

Travelling companion

It’s easy to see why the Morris Minor Traveller was one of the best-loved variants of the Morris Minor. Introduced in 1953, it was equipped with the same independent torsion bar front suspension, drum brakes, and rack and pinion steering as its saloon sibling but, with their foldable rear seat increasing versatility, many Travellers were used as trade vehicles, says Derek Goddard. Derek and Gail Goddard, the owners of this superbly restored example, have run Morris Minors since before they were married in 1974.
“Our honeymoon vehicle was a blue Morris Minor van — it was a rust bucket,” says Derek.