Zagato has always been about style. The Italian coach-builder has been working with Europe’s most high-end automakers for years, and now it’s ready to reveal a new model for Maserati that honors a special car from the 1950’s.
The 1957 Maserati 450 S was given the name “il Mostro” because it made huge power for the time. In fact, the model remained the most powerful front-engined racecar in the world until the 1990s. Stirling Moss would go on to race the Zagato-designed car at Le Mans as well.
Zagato’s tribute has been aptly named “Maserati Mostro,” and will debut at this summer’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa D’Este (I must have checked the spelling of that event seven times). Fortunately, we don’t have to wait until then to see what the Italian design firm has come up with.
The body is built on a carbon moncoque chassis and uses a front-mounted dry-sump Maserati V8. The engine is placed between the axles for best-possible weight distribution and powers a six-speed semi-automatic rear transaxle.
In terms of styling, the Mostro has a seemingly endless bonnet, shooting-brake-esque greenhouse, and a massive rear wing. Zagato claims the Mostro was designed for the track, and its lightweight construction helps the argument. Street homologation is in the works, but only five examples will be built, all of which have been claimed.
While the Mostro’s price tag remains a mystery, the Italian design house has stated that, “None of Zagato’s atelier cars exceed 1 million. As collectible cars, the value of a Zagato typically overcomes the purchasing price within a few years.” Basically, they’re calling their shot: that the Mostro will be an appreciating asset.
That makes sense based on how the typical Zagato buyer would treat this car. Personally, I’d ring out that Maserati V8 just as hard as any other model – but maybe that’s why Zagato never sends me invitations to purchase upcoming projects…yea, let’s go with that.
