In March 1957, the Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS was built in the third series – now Scuderia Azzurra dedicated itself to its detailed frame-off restoration

Cologne, Apr 5th 2017. With the Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS, Scuderia Azzurra has once again discovered a rare classic: The vehicle from the year 1957 stands out through its sporty elegance and an extraordinary two-colour painting. After two years of detailed frame-off restoration by Scuderia Azzurra, the oldtimer is now back to concours state.

Elegance and sportiness. This is what the Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS of Scuderia Azzurra combines. From 1956, Alfa Romeo produced the third series of the Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS – C for “Corto”, a shortened wheelbase, and the addition SS for “Super Sprint”. With a top speed of at least 180 km/h, the car highlighted a particularly sporty character. Its elegant exterior is also reflected in the price: the vehicle was already worth 31,000 Marks at the time and was priced slightly below that of a Mercedes gull-wing. This made it a great attraction for wealthy car lovers, who placed great emphasis on elegant and sporty luxury cars. Not only on the streets of the capital cities, but also on sports events did the car attract attention. Through a 15 hp increased power to 115 hp and the new five-speed gearbox, driving comfort and driving pleasure were at their peak.

A vehicle full of history
One of the few Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS was delivered to Auto-König in Munich in March 1958. In the following years, the car was probably exported to the USA. According to Peter Marshall, who mentioned the Alfa in his register, the owner there was Peter Magnussen. At the end of the 1970s, the vehicle was sold via an advertisement in Hemmings. After Peter Wessel and Stephen Block could call it their own in the 80s, it was sold to the restoration company of Nino Epifani in 1997. Afterwards, the well-known jeweller and collector Scott Gauthier devoted himself to the Alfa Romeo in Scottsdale Arizona. In turn, he sold it to Nigel Shannon in 2013, which is how the vehicle found its way back to Europe. Scuderia Azzurra has acquired the classic from him and devoted itself to it will full attention.

Thanks to Scuderia Azzurra back to concours state
„When we discovered the baby in 2014, we could already guess what a beauty was hidden inside it“, reports CEO Michael Maasmeier. Thus, the Scuderia Azzurra worked with particular passion and detail on the elaborate restoration. With original Borrani spoked wheels, a completely rebuilt engine, a special two-colour painting in „Grigio Metallic“ and the roof in „Grigio Marina“, as well as the high-quality interior in leather „Blu“, the car shines in a new luster today. As a special clue, the steering wheel circuit, which most of the 1900 CSS of the third series were equipped with, was converted into a coveted ground circuit as part of the restoration. „A driving experience of a very special kind“, rejoices Maasmeier.

First owner of the 3500 GT was the Italian racing driver Luigi Taramazzo – with attention for detail, Scuderia Azzurra brought the car back into concours state

Cologne, Apr 5th 2017. A jewel with a prominent first owner: thanks to a detailed restoration, Scuderia Azzurra brought the Maserati GT of the Italian racing driver Luigi Taramazzo back to a top condition. The classic from the year 1959 was delivered to the racing driver in Bordighiera in September of the same year according to the Maserati certificate “Avviso Spedizione“. Over the course of the decades, the car found its way to the USA and Australia before it was faithfully restored by Scuderia Azzurra. In the company’s own workshop, it also got its extraordinary two-colour painting.

In September 1959, the Italian racer Luigi Taramazzo took a new classic in his private possession: the Maserati 3500 GT, designed with white lacquer and blue interior. Taramazzo started racing in the 1950s and took part in the Formula One World Championship of 1958 at the Monaco Grand Prix. After many years together, his Maserati 3500 GT found its way to the USA in the following decades, where it was driven by a new owner Carey D. Ebert-Hurst in Texas from the mid-90s on. Via Argyles Import Cars, the classic was sold to the well-known Maserati restorer Mario Lombardi from Melbourne, Australia. In 1998, the car went to Con Minas as part of a restoration project, who dismantled it and took off the aluminium down to the body, but then did not continue with the restoration.

Finally, Scuderia Azzurra devoted itself to the Maserati 3500 GT „Taramazzo” with much attention to detail as part of a complete frame-off restoration. The engine was completely rebuilt and the car received its extraordinary two-colour painting in „Bianco Polo Park“ and the blue roof colour, which coincides with the interior in blue leather. „To be honest, I am not a fan of white cars“, confesses Matthias Hinz, who is responsible for restorations as Managing Director of Scuderia Azzurra. „But the colour combination with the blue roof is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen on a Maserati 3500.“ Therefore, Scuderia Azzurra made it its task to finally bring to an end what had been started multiple times over the years: the detailed complete restoration from engine to the interior. Just in time for the Techno-Classica Essen, the Maserati “Taramazzo” now shines in concours state.

The Maserati 3500 GT/GTI – a sports car of the upper class

With the 3500 GT, Maserati began the series production of street sports cars. Between 1957 and 1964, a total of 1,972 coupe models of the GT and GTI and additionally 245 open Vignale Spider were produced. Maserati presented the 3500 GT with a 3.5 litre straight-six engine for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in 1957 as a successor to the super sports car A6 G54. The racing engine of the predecessor was adopted for the standard model, but clearly modified. As a sports car of the upper class, the 3500 GT already attracted a large number of prominent buyers and is today a popular collector’s item both as a GT and as a Spider version.

The first owner drove more than 680,000 kilometers – Within the last two years the “Secchi” Maserati has been brought to Concours condition by Scuderia Azzurra

Cologne, March 9th 2017. A glance into the past reveals mileage performance and workmanship qualities in the automotive industry, which were considered unique in his time: The “Gino Secchi” Maserati 3500 GT from the year 1961 already ran more than 680,000 km under its first owner. Now, thanks to the detailed restoration by Scuderia Azzurra, it is back on the roads in new splendor and with fresh power.

On Sep 23rd 1961, the Italian industrialist Luigi Secchi from Milan bought a new car that was to dominate conversations of classic car lovers for many decades to come: Luigi, short Gino, Secchi loved his hometown Milan and a move was out of question for him. He managed the route to his company in Turin and back, often several times a day. Approximately 150 km each way. This way, over the years, his Maserati 3500 GT spurred a considerable mileage on his odometer: As early as 1967, after just six years, the vehicle counted 680,000 kilometers driven with the first engine. Thereby he entered Maserati history as “Gino Secchi” press car.

For the back then rather small automotive manufacturer Maserati, this extraordinary mileage was a proof of its outstanding workmanship quality. Full of pride Maserati chief mechanic, racing driver legend and head of the race department Guerino Bertocchi posed next to the owner and his car for a press photo. Age years later the cut: Signore Secchi separates from his faithful companion. From now on the oldtimer drove under his second owner Franco Vitrani from Foggia.

Scuderia Azzurra lets old luster shine anew
As of recently, the original Italian vehicle documents of this Maserati icon have been placed in the hands of Scuderia Azzurra. “It is an absolute jackpot to have found this car. Amazingly, it still exists at all – with such a prehistory and certainly the highest mileage of any Maserati 3500 GT”, knows Matthias Hinz, as managing director responsible for restorations. “To revive such a legend and to participate in events with it is a unique feeling.”

Scuderia Azzurra is known for the original restoration of classic Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Lancia. The three partners Matthias Hinz, Michael Maasmeier and Lukas Mühlemann pour their entire passion, their enthusiasm and their heart blood into the detailed refurbishments. Completely restored and in best condition the vehicles are then sold to new owners or assumed into the own collection.

Under the premise of authenticity and the pursuit of a perfect restoration, Scuderia Azzurra has also devoted itself to the “Secchi” Maserati: “Only too gladly have we accepted the task of spruce this Maserati legend back up. A classic like this requires absolute finesse”, says Michael Maasmeier of Scuderia Azzurra. A frame-off restoration with completely overhauled Maserati engine makes the vehicle shine in new splendor. Still the classic car from the year 1961 possesses the Milan license plate MI 586488 from the first registration. The legendary rarity shines in the original colour combination of delivery: in the car interior leather/pelle “marrone” and on the outside the classic radiates in “Grigio New Market”. As always, Scuderia Azzurra has comprehensively and gaplessly documented all phases of the restoration process.

Taking into account all historic details, the oldtimer is now back to absolute best condition thanks to Scuderia Azzurra. “He will master many more kilometers”, rejoices Matthias Hinz. “Perhaps even as a valuable classic of our own collection…”

Cologne, 21th October 2016. After having successfully anttended the Concours d’Elegance in Cascais, Scuderia Azzura received an award in the category „Grand Touring 1960-70s“. The Maserati 3500 GTi in top condition thrilled the judges.

The organisers of this year’s Concours d’Elegance, Luis Cunha and Dines Adelino, personally handed the Grand Touring prize to the winners. Scuderia Azzura presented the precise reproduction of the Maserati 3500 GTi and convinced the expert jury. The Concours d’Elegance in Cascais takes place annually within the scope of the Cascais Classic Motorshow and is the most important Concours d’Elegance in Portugal. The event brings together owners of vintage cars and experts to share their passion for historical vehicles and first-class restorations. An international jury evaluates the condition, authenticity as well as beauty and the history of the vintage cars in different categories. Among the 55 attending cars, the Maserati 3500 emerged as victor in the category Grand Touring 1960-70s. The restorer in chief received the award for Scuderia Azzura in the company’s workshop in Alcabideche.

Cologne/Jüchen, 8 August 16. The two classic cars Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS and the Maserati 3500 GTI Sebring by the Scuderia Azzurra – both in best condition – were nominated for the attendance at the Concours d’Elegance „Jewels in the Park“.

VThe so-called Classic Days at Dyck Castle in Jüchen took place from 5th to 7th August and were a complete success. Several fans of classic cars as well as special guests and racing legends met in order to share their passion for vintage cars in an exclusive and elegant ambience. The organiser was delighted about several tens of thousands guests who enjoyed the varied program and marvelled at fascinating cars.

The Concours d’Elegance „Jewels in the Park“ was definitely a highlight of the weekend. A jury consisting of experienced experts judged selected vehicles. The Scuderia Azzurra was present with two classic cars: the precisely restored Maserati 3500 Sebring of the 1st series (1963) and the Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS of the 3rd series (1957). These originals thrilled the jury and convinced them as they are very well restored automobiles. The Scuderia Azzurra received positive feedback from the jury as well as from the numerous visitors: „In such moments you realize that the detailed and uncompromising work for months is worth it“, says Michael Maasmeier, co-founder of the Scuderia Azzurra, happily.

Scuderia Azzurra is an international partner for Maserati, Lancia and Alfa Romeo restoration and service work performed in our fully equipped facilities.

Cologne, 1 July 2016. Passion and enthusiasm for exclusive classic cars, the joy of car design from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, the quest for authenticity and perfect restoration – Scuderia Azzurra is the number one address for classic Italian cars in top condition.

The avant-garde creations by Italian designers such as Vignale, Frua, Giugiaro, Bertone, Pininfarina, Touring and Zagato and innovative technology of Italian car manufacturers such as Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Maserati are among the most fascinating, automotive technology has produced to date. It is this passion for precisely these classics that brought together the current partners of Scuderia Azzurra and transcends national borders such as Zurich, Cologne, Nice and Lisbon yet also units them through their enthusiasm for premium classic cars. Impeccably restored cars that are rebuilt exclusively according to their original state has always been a personal concern of the partners. They are not only devoted to this passion in their private lives as collectors but also at Scuderia Azzurra.

High quality restoration
The innovative and international classic car specialist based in Cologne, Germany and Lisbon, Portugal provide exceptionally high standards when it comes to restored vehicles that are second to none. Each of the three founders, Matthias Hinz, Lukas Mühlemann and Michael Maasmeier has enjoyed successful careers in internationally renowned companies at the management level. This expertise combined with their 30 years of deep passion for classic cars lead to Scuderia Azzurra. “We have exceptionally high standards when it comes to the restoration of a classic car. In addition to bodywork, we also rebuild the engine, transmission and electrical systems completely new,” explains Matthias Hinz. The former head of Metro in Portugal is dedicated to restoration that is true to the car’s original state. Like his partners, he strives for authentic restoration and a love for attention down to the smallest detail, as classic cars are not just a hobby for the trio but also a deep passion. “Our expertise in uncompromising restoration work enables us to offer our restored cars on the international market with a clear conscience.” After long being an insider’s tip in the industry, the three partners’ dedication to collecting cars has now been officially expanded to include the international sale of classic cars.

The classic cars get their new shine in Alcabideche, Portugal on the Atlantic coast. They undergo detailed restoration and are then subsequently offered in top condition on the market. At the same time, interested buyers can select a car from the stock of Scuderia Azzurra and have their special requests incorporated into their personal vehicle.

Classic cars in concours condition
Highly skilled experts restore the stylish classics with technical know-how and a keen eye for all details involved in Italian design and Italian technology. Michael Maasmeier, an entrepreneur in the media industry, sums it up: “We base all the details on the original state and want to offer more than just classic car sales. That’s why we only sell cars in concours condition.“ This approach has already been confirmed by independent experts from Classic Data. All cars currently for sale have been awarded the top mark of 1. Lukas Mühlemann, the third passionate co-founder and collector of Scuderia Azzurra, was formerly a partner at McKinsey & Company for many years, where he later become Chief Executive of Swiss Re and Credit Suisse. He explains, “I’ve always dreamed of perfection and at Scuderia Azzurra we can live this dream: I’ve found two like-minded people in Matthias and Michael who also value first-rate restored cars. When it comes to the condition of our cars, we make no compromises.”

Classic cars that not only turn heads but are also in perfect technical condition – that is the mission of Scuderia Azzurra.