Ex Ross Jensen Maserati 250F

[nigel watts]

Now owned by Peter Giddings

1953 250F GRAND PRIX MASERATI #2501 (#2523):

Of all the Maserati 250Fs built, without doubt the one campaigned by Peter Giddings has one of the most complex and fascinating of histories.

#2501 was in fact the very first 250F built and test driven during 1953 (subsequently displayed at the Paris Salon in October 1954).

At the end of the Salon, #2501 was whisked away for its racing debut at the Spanish Grand Prix – the last Formula One race of the season. This race was also the first team drive for Maserati’s new star, Stirling Moss.

Due to the Maserati’s pedal configuration being different from Moss’ own modified 250F, Moss trod on the wrong pedal at an inopportune moment, spinning off and damaging #2501. In the circumstances, Moss chose to revert back to his non factory Maserati 250F. Francisco Godia Sales was given the bent car, and did well to finish 6th.

#2501 continued to be the successful mainstay team car throughout 1955. Raced throughout Europe and Argentina, with second places achieved at the Bordeaux, Naples, and Syracuse GPs (Musso). Ongoing factory updating took place during the season.

#2501 continued as a prime factory team car during 1956, primarily driven by Menditeguy and Behra. At Syracuse, Jean Behra raced #2501 fitted with a new experimental fuel injected engine and aerodynamic body.

Moss elected to drive #2501 at the German Grand Prix, and won a hard fought second place on this most challenging of circuits.

Subsequently, on December 2nd Moss again chose to drive #2501 in the Australian Grand Prix, this time gaining 1st place. Ongoing factory updating took place during the season.

#2501 remained a factory team car in 1957, being driven by Schell, Behra, Hermann, Fangio, and Scarlatti, Behra achieving a second place at the Rheims GP. Ongoing factory updating taking place during the season.

In 1958 the Maserati factory rebuilt #2501 to the latest specification, installing a new engine #2523, and changing the chassis number to #2523.

The new owner was the plucky Italian female, Maria Teresa de Filipis, who raced #2501/#2523 throughout Europe.

In 1959, #2501/#2523 was campaigned in Europe by Scarlatti, after which its engine was removed for fitting to Colotti’s creation, the Tec Mec II.

In early 1960, New Zealand racing driver, Ross Jensen, acquired #2501/#2523 from Messrs. Neri/ Colotti/ Tanner, and Scarlatti fitted with the “El Salvador” twin nostril nose and engine from his Maserati 250F #2504.

Jensen subsequently sold #2501/#2523 (now renumbered by him #2504 in order to get it back into New Zealand!) , to Brian Prescott, whose best placings in 1961/62 were three first places at Levin.