Resplendent in Maserati’s corporate blue and silver, no fewer than three Maserati GranTurismos were on display at this year’s Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance. As could be expected, these segment-busting coupes garnered great attention and admiration throughout the event which celebrates excellence in automotive design and execution. There can be little doubt that exclusive GranTurismos will one day feature in such events – much like the unique 1964 Maserati 3500 GTI Vignale Spider competing at Meadow Brook.  Much to the delight of the crowd, and to customers already on the waitlist, there was one GranTurismo at each of the pavilions of Maserati North America, and local dealers Cauley Maserati and Maserati of Troy. 

The striking styling of the GranTurismo caught people by surprise.  Nestled, as they were, near prospective Concours competitors, the GranTurismos were authentic standouts.  “That’s truly gorgeous, I want that car now,” was heard more than a few times from passers-by, distracted from the vintage cars on display by the instant classic they found under the Maserati banner.

Inspection of the luxurious coupe did nothing to diminish their ardour as people were delighted to find enough rear seat room for adults, and a cabin trimmed with fine Italian leather and exotic wood trim. The interior simply complemented the impression provided by the sheet metal, and the whole package is rounded out by a prodigious 405 bhp from the mighty Maserati V8 that sits ahead of the cabin but behind the front wheels.  With this front-mid-engine placement and careful attention to ideal weight distribution, the GranTurismo offers optimal comfort and handling.  There is no doubt that the GranTurismo upholds the finest traditions of four-seater coupes whose heritage was represented on the show field by cars such as Auburns, Duesenbergs and Bugattis, the very finest automobiles of their day.
 

Representing as it does the finest in two-door Grand Touring, the GranTurismo at Maserati North America’s pavilion was accompanied by two cars emblematic of the best in their categories.  The Maserati Quattroporte stands alone as an authentic luxury sports sedan, and new stable mate Alfa Romeo’s 8C Competizione is the most exciting and desirable two seat sports car in production.  This powerful product line, and the value and quality it displays, was not lost on Meadow Brook attendees – and neither was the importance of the Maserati brand.  One local auto industry worker commented on his sincere appreciation for Maserati’s substantial presence at Meadow Brook, noting the mutual respect it demonstrates between the domestic and the finest Italian brands, and the leadership position Maserati wields in accessible, forward-thinking design for enthusiasts. 

Continuing its tour of the US, the GranTurismo stopped in Monterey.  It was a centerpiece at this year’s edition of  The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, and despite the presence of some marvelous concept cars and prototypes on their special lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, it was the GranTurismo that garnered the most attention.  The crowds admiring and asking about the car were thick throughout the day and resulted in a number of immediate orders for the car.