Maserati 450S Zagato Coupé

Vehicle Overview

The Maserati 450S Zagato Coupé, often referred to as the Costin Maserati, made its debut in 1957 as a fierce competitor in the World Sports Car Championship. Entering a domain dominated by Ferrari, Jaguar, and Aston Martin, the 450S distinguished itself with its powerful 4.2-liter V8 engine, a development of the prototype that had proven its potential at the 1956 Mille Miglia and Swedish Grand Prix. Chassis #4506, originally bodied by Zagato in a sleek black livery, became a source of inspiration decades later for the 2015 Zagato Mostro, designed by Norihiko Harada as a tribute to its storied predecessor. Despite its promise, the 450S faced setbacks early in its racing career. At the Buenos Aires 1000 km, legendary drivers Stirling Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio took the wheel, only for a clutch failure to force an untimely retirement. Determined to improve the car, it underwent a transformation under Frank Costin, with Zagato Milano crafting a revised coupé body. Its ultimate test came at Le Mans, but misfortune struck again, preventing it from realizing its full racing potential. Though its competitive aspirations remained unfulfilled, the 450S underwent a series of significant modifications and changes in ownership that cemented its place in automotive history. In 1958, Byron Staver of Minnesota acquired the car for $8,500. That same year, it was converted for street use, modified to left-hand drive, and had its wheelbase shortened, with its chassis renumbered from 4506 to 4512. Initially painted black, it was shipped to New York in September and later offered for sale by Harry Woodnorth in Chicago for $17,000, though by December 1959, the price had dropped to $9,500. By 1960, Harry Heinl of Toledo, Ohio, took ownership, but engine trouble soon struck when a valve broke. The car was rebuilt by Frank Harrison and repainted in a striking red and black combination. In 1964, Charles Kilgore of New York acquired it, followed by Bob Morgan of New Jersey through Bob Grossman. By April 1970, Walter Weimer listed it for sale at $12,500. In March 1973, Jim Rodgers from Tennessee became its next custodian, leading to a restoration by Holman-Moody in North Carolina. Eventually, the car found its way to Peter Kaus in Frankfurt, Germany, where it became part of his Rosso Bianco Collection. In 1977, the 450S appeared at the Oldtimer Grand Prix Nürburgring, with Kaus behind the wheel. It remained on display at the Rosso Bianco Museum in Aschaffenburg until 2002 when it was sold to Alfredo Brener of Houston, Texas. A full restoration followed in Italy, with the car repainted in a distinctive black and brown scheme. By July 2007, it had become part of the esteemed collection of Lawrence E. Auriana in Greenwich, Connecticut. Through every transformation, setback, and meticulous restoration, the Maserati 450S Zagato Coupé has remained an icon of speed and craftsmanship. Despite its challenges on the track, its enduring legacy in the world of classic sports cars continues to captivate enthusiasts and historians alike.