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Maserati and Ferrari were once fairly fierce rivals, and both companies were based in Modena, Italy. They competed both on the racetrack and on the street, making gorgeous cars that looked as fast as they went. Ferrari later shifted base to neighbouring Maranello, and both companies’ fortunes saw a downturn during the oil crisis of the 1970s. Ferrari weathered it better than Maserati, however, and the former company saw several different owners before its fortunes were revived in 1999 — under Ferrari ownership! The two companies now share manufacturing facilities, engines and other technology, and Maserati is back where it rightfully belongs, among the upper echelons of the luxury sportscar market, making some seriously beautiful cars.
Take the Maserati GranCabrio Sport, for example — I challenge anyone with even a hint of petrol in his veins to look at this car and say ‘Hmm, I will now proceed to maintain a straight face and effect an air of unperturbed nonchalance’. Nonchalance smonchalance — the GranCabrio is the sort of car that makes you spontaneously combust with sheer, electric desire.
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