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 (and 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.   Francesco 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. Ongoing factory updating took place during the season.

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

#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 again 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 throughout 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 and the car was fitted with the “El Salvador” twin nostril nose and engine from his Maserati 250F #2504.

Jensen subsequently sold #2501/#2523 (now renumbered by him as #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.

Prescott then sold #2501/#2523 (with destroyed engine #2504) to New Zealander Leon Witte who subsequently traded it for an Aston Martin DB3S owned by Cameron Millar of the U.K.   Millar then restored #2501/#2523, removing its twin nostril nose, and fitting instead a conventional 1957 style nose.   Millar also fitted engine #2522, one of the most successful 250F engines of all times.

Stirling Moss had achieved two first places with #2522 in 1956 (the Richmond Trophy Goodwood and the Monaco Grand Prix).  Schell achieved a 2nd place at the Pau GP in 1957, and Munaron achieved a 3rd place at Buenos Aires in 1960.

Millar proceeded to race #2501/ #2523 (engine #2522) in historic races for more than 8 seasons, always achieving good results.

From 1976, Christopher Mann and Keith Duly became the new owners and continued to historic race #2501/ #2523, including a 3rd in the Hawthorne Trophy at Silverstone in 1979, and a 1st in the Allcomers Race at the Nurburgring in 1980.

In 1983, Duly sold #2501/ #2523 to Don Young, and Peter was able to effect a trade with Young in 1986..

Today Peter races a 250F Grand Prix Maserati which began life as #2501, became #2523, unofficially became #2504, and now has reverted back to #2501/ #2523 again (this time fitted with engine #2522).

During its career this remarkable car has raced in over 40 Grand Prix, including five appearances at the Monaco Grand Prix; four at the Syracuse, Italian, and French Grand Prix; and two at the Argentina, Buenos Aires, Naples, Belgian, and New Zealand Grand Prix.

Subsequently it has carried on the tradition by performing magnificently in over 150 historic races.

In Peter’s hands, #2501/ #2523 achieved 3 x 1st and 2 x 2nd places in 1987; 1 x 2nd and 2 x 3rd places in 1988; 1 x 1st together with a class win and fastest time of day in 1989; 3 x 1st

Peter pushing on regardless - Infineon Raceway 2007

Peter getting the drift of things - Virginia International Raceway 2007

Peter renews his friendship with #2501/2523 -- the nose band dates from Dieter Streve-Mulhens' stewardship in 2005.

Is there a better profile than a 250F in flight? - 2005.

Maserati 250F #2501/2523 when in New Zealand and owned by Peter's good friend, Leon Witte.

Peter sparring with his dear friend, the irrepressible Bob Korst. Rear engine versus front engine in style - PIR 1969 - photo by Bob Dunsmore.

#2501/2523 squeals around the old Turn Nine at Laguna Seca - photo by Bob Dunsmore.

A memorable "race" between Peter's friend, the great Pete Lovely, in his Ferrari TR59 and Peter's 250F #2501/2523. They crossed the finish line together, side by side! - PIR 1994 - photo by Bob Dunsmore.

Hold that Tiger! - Peter in #2501/2523 - Laguna Seca 1994 - photo by Bob Dunsmore.

Overhead view of #2501/2523 showing compact proportions - Laguna Seca 1995 - photo by Mike Sims.