Over the years, many of the big-time racing leagues have converted their fleet of emergency vehicles and wreckers into standard-issue recovery trucks, using whatever the late-model offering is in the home country of the race track being supported. So, for instance, you might see Sprinter vans overseas, while stateside, most trucks use whatever the latest heavy-duty domestic pickup truck is, usually with beefy diesel powertrains. But this was not always the case, and just like many things that were better decades ago versus the current day, this 1968 Maserati Quattroporte was used as a firefighting apparatus on the legendary Formula 1 circuit of Monza when new. Find this piece of racing history here on eBay with an opening bid of $500 and no takers yet.
When I say things were better, what I mean to say is there was less standardization than there is now. It’s like using Porsche 911s as police cars, or Unimogs as highway department vehicles: sure, it may not have made sense on a pure dollars and cents standpoint, but the vehicle in question was likely far better suited for the work of catching speeders or traversing unruly terrain than a cheaper alternative. In the case of the Maserati, the vehicle was converted to firefighting specs for the simple purpose of getting to a burning Formula 1 car as quickly as possible, no questions asked. But I’m guessing the cost of building what amounts to a one-off fire vehicle out of a high-performance sports car didn’t make much sense on a costs basis, which is why Quattroporte fire trucks weren’t littering race tracks everywhere when new.
Now, for all I know, there’s a small specialist in Italy still building firetruck conversions out of Maseratis, with a waiting list among Italian cities and towns that need to reach rural residents as quickly as possible when the fire alarm is triggered (I doubt it, but you never know.) Italy, in general, has always had a reputation for putting its sports cars into unusual roles, whether it was a Lamborghini used by the local police department, or a Ferrari Mondial Cabriolet converted into a temporary “Pope mobile” when the pontiff came for a visit. The Maserati shown here has survived to a surprisingly high degree despite track-side vehicles often not living a life of luxury. I love that this one still has its original wood trim and leather seats; thankfully, those elements weren’t pulled when this Quattroporte was chosen to be the next firetruck at Monza.
The seller laments that he bought this Maserati as a project and will not be taking it on due to having too many vehicles ahead of it in the queue. I know that feeling, and I, too, would have a hard time not grabbing a vehicle like this if it came up for sale given the history and novelty factor is through the roof. The Maserati looks very complete in photos, although the seller doesn’t say much; we don’t even know if the engine still turns by hand. Mileage is indicated as being just under 97,000, and I’d love to know the details behind this Maserati’s story after it left the Monza circuit. Whatever happens, the next owner should absolutely restore this track-side curiosity back to its original condition, and the seller has thankfully tracked down some photos of what it looked like back in the day. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Peter R. for the find.
This has got to be the most bizarre repurposed vehicle. How many Quattroporte’s have even gone 97K miles! I think it’s awesome and if I was in either a Ferrari or Lamborghini owners club I would be bidding for this to be a support vehicle for club events. One thing hasn’t changed with Italian super cars. That all have the tendency to spontaneously combust.
I’d love to bid on this, too bad it’s in Belgium…
Maybe you´ll get one on Amazon.
Monza is a 3.6 mile track. 97,000 miles equals either: 1) A lot of laps. 2) A lot of fires, or 3) A lot of runs to the local pizza place.
that would be 96000 klics so 60000 miles
@wally- Original text said 97K miles. Looks like BF corrected the error. That is still a lot of trips on that track.
**Unpopular Opinion**
Remove the fire equipment and enjoy your one-of-a-kind-somewhat-practical Maserat-amino. When you’re done with it, restore it to original, show it for a while, and pass it on to a collector.
Or keep it as is and sell it to a collector of paddock eye candy, given the amazing history of this car and the amazingly deep pockets those guys can have.
That’s also a great idea. More popular than my unpopular opinion. But this weirdo really wants a Masert-amino.
Is there a tail gate in any of the photos? Were in North America would you buy parts for an older Maserati?
MIE Corp, 253-833-2598.
Or the internet.
A Maserati fire engine? You mean they actually got to a fire, before breaking down? Miracles will never cease.
A good candidate for a respray of
“Resale Red”…
It’s not beyond the bounds of possibility that it was built by Maserati in the first place.
I think it was supplied/gifted by Maserati, but built by one of the many specialists you find in Northern Italy
Low miles, that count would obviously be in kilometers, coming from Monza, next question, is this guy in Italy, since it was used at that track, and, what’s a wild guess for transportation to the states? I guess what I’m thinking is, why doesn’t Monza hang on to this for history’s sake?
To East coast it´s about $1500 on a RORO, but for this you would probably want to check the price of a container as it could attract souvenir hunters at port.
Shipping and import costs will not be at all significant in the overall picture of butying and restoring this car.
“RO-RO!” Scooby!
Hmmm… a Maserati with its own fire suppression system. How practical.
🙄
Bologna Estintori makes fire extinquishers.
“However, the buyer must rebuild it 100% original as it was before and you can see this in the attached photos.”
From the ebay listing .Htf does someone enforce that ?/
I’m with Ken ; Masermino coming up including sbc.Save the firefighting gear and rebuildable Pos of a motor for “THAT ” buyer ,down the line ,after youve had a lot of fun,and a ton of amusing conversations .
Only original once applies even more to something unique, historical and famous. “THAT buyer” is very rarely an idiot and has people who can spot when a rare car has been compromised.
The seller seems to be one of those experts, looking at the other Maseratis they are selling. So fortunately, this car will sell for a lot of money to someone who does understand and will have a big budget. Otherwise, it won´t sell.
Perfect addition for the Ghostbusters fleet
5 bids now at $2,025. Check out the sellers other cars!!
A two door Quattroporte?
Located in:
Veurne, Belgium
Very interesting.
Thanks for posting it.
It will take a special collector for sure. The seller has a Sebring which should be for sale at Bonham’s or somewhere high end!
Great tow vehicle for your small Italian Vintage race car!
Look like a Belgium version of a ghost busters vehicle
I’ve seen this one before, in 2008. Five were built, a little more history https://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/find-of-the-day-1967-maserati-quattroporte-fire-truck/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANZIcQD-gPqoC1gk2fK76u1TwgKQroLEonfHwsn1In6igAblRq83DFUzK0X7gtiCQpRTIPIIM7D1ftExMvbqzxuFnwPUuriYHO-y6XFYjlBQoMphSFA3ZsO57AgxJQ0IM-UacU3wgAhvcnCv5totDUZA92s_6i4Ls82kTLkLG8-W
Cheers,
Olaf
although the Quattroporte’s people will be up in arms, pull the exspensive to go through motor and trans and store them and the fire equipment carefully and then,swap something in more practical to find parts for and enjoy the most bizzare El Camino esq Italian pick-up I have ever seen…There won’t be another one like it as cars and coffee that is certain…;-)
Unreal 🙌
Buy the Fiat Transporter to go along with it.
This is something Tony Parella, the owner/promoter of the Vintage Sportscar Racing Association (SVRA) and the Trans Am series, needs to buy and restore to use as a support vehicle at the many vintage races he puts on every year.
https://svra.com/?st-t=ppc&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmKiQBhClARIsAKtSj-lo-tSyULGCGUooSaaUL_HXDBHXbnIyn_y1DbHjcRB4B7kmCxqKZfUaAh9wEALw_wcB
Did ya’ll notice that in the pic of the original the interior was a lovely camel brown but now it is a tattered black? Yeah someone canibalized it for parts already. Wanna bet that engine is not the one it came with?
The seller has relisted this item or one like this.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/275175011377?ViewItem=&item=275175011377&vxp=mtr