My driving impression of the GS. VLP

I think I can write a bit, have had a few articles featured in our local Ferrari club magazine so here is what I had to say about driving a friends Gransport....I dont think its an awesome piece but some people might enjoy it...

Maserati, a name that probably one of the most famous, underappreciated names in motoring. Throughout its 90 odd years it has been the classic Italian Opera, there has been tragedy, fame, fortune and near bankruptcy. I think these events have lead to the band acquiring a certain mystique a certain allure among car enthusiasts.

While Ferrari is undoubtedly the greatest name in motor sport, few people realize that Maserati has almost as an illustrious racing heritage as it’s more famous cousin, some of the most famous and greatest racing drivers raced for Maserati, the super star being a small Argentine maestro what would go on the win 5 world championships, one of these was won at the wheel of the Maserati, the famous 250F. Ask any F1 enthusiast about truly great F1 race and chances are Germany 1957 would be mentioned, after stopping to replace a tyre Fangio carved his way though the entire field passing the two leading Ferraris and won the race, this truly was one of Maserati’s greatest hours.

Then there was the famous Birdcage, a stunning sports racing car that got its name from its tubular chassis which consisted of a network of tubes, today these cars are highly sought after.

On the road car front there were truly gorgeous cars like the 60’s Ghibli, the Indy and the classic mid engined Bora, all of them timeless classics. However like any Opera there was tragedy and the tragedy with Maserati was that it never was in secure financial hands, money was always a problem and as such there were instances where it sold its sole in the name of survival, the 1980’s Bi Turbo being the more obvious. Thankfully the Trident was bought by FIAT in 1993 and remains in its safe hands.

From a young age I have adored Ferrari, those cars from Marranello hold a truly special place in my heart and I didn’t really know much about Maserati but I started to read up on the famous name and it became to clear that this was a brand every bit as legendary as Ferrari but it was somehow different, when I saw a Maserati in a magazine it stirred different feelings in me to that of a Ferrari.

My first taste of Maserati came in the form of a passenger ride in a 4200 GT and while impressive I couldn’t help but think that like the Bi Turbo a bit of it soul had been sold in the name of money.

Walking towards the blue Gransport key in hand was a special feeling, the images of Fangio on the 250F flashed through my mind and somehow I knew this was going to be a somewhat special drive. The look of the interior paid homage to special Maserati’s of past, the smell of the traditional leather, the classic dials all added up the create a truly unique ambience, am ambience that felt like an traditional Italian GT car. Looking across that swooping bonnet one is left in no doubt that one is truly inside a car of rare beauty, this confirmed by the unique view out of the side mirrors, those seductive rear haunches giving an impression of power mixed with beauty and there being more than a hint of Birdcage.

Thumb the starter button and the 4.2 liter V8 bursts into life with an unmistakable roar, not smooth like some sanitized German V8 and not like some American V8 either. Immediately select “sport” mode and move off, the driving position being perfect, the fat steering wheel feels fantastic to hold. The ride in sports mode is somewhat hard but it’s in keeping with an Italian GT, the gearbox being very positive and smooth but the two greatest things that catch your attention is the directness of the steering and the fabulous throttle response. At low speeds the engine is quiet but again it’s sanitized like a German GT, instead the there is a faint growl.

In and around town the GS is very civilized but for me at least every time I glanced at the evocative badge there was a huge temptation to give it some stick. The opportunity soon arose and from being fairly quite the engine roared into life and we raced through the gears, the sound becoming more and more wild as one goes through the rev range and but 5500 rpm you have no doubt this is an Italian engine, the acceleration is savage, the gearbox superb but it only gets better, corners loom and its hard onto the fantastic brakes, change down, a throttle blip from heaven, turn in and the car responds instantly holding the road like glue as one power out up the next straight, the sound of the engine reverberating off the mountainside. Flying through a sequence of bends is truly intoxicating, the seats holding one like some giant hands, the brakes remaining awesome and the engine roaring. At this point I feel like Fangio as the Maserati totally absorbs me.

On over run the engine gurgles and pops like a true racing engine and after 15 min of fantastic corners one is left feeling very good, one can now feel the magic of the this brand, for the first time I think the GS is a car that hasn’t sold its soul in the name of profit, in my opinion here is a car that can stand next to legends of the past with pride, a car that to me is the very essence of what a Maserati should be, a car that embodies all the glamour, history, beauty and competition breeding that have made classic Maserati’s so desirable.

 

Its cool, constructive criticsm more than welcome, no hard feelings at all. Was feeling pretty tired when I wrote that piece so it clearly tells...

 

Yeh suppose I should have started the post differantly.....pity actually but yeh thats how it goes sometimes....however constructive criticsm is always welcome.....

BTW I am not a writer, more of a number cruncher.....

 

Cmon guys you have to give me some credit I could have told you some BS about the poor education system here in Africa but I didnt......(actually unlike most of my countryman I got a good education)

 

Take exception to your comment....I am 22 for what its worth and no part in the politics of the past......

 

Ok cool but I think you can understand my reaction to the comment....forgot I had a profile on here....