One of only 4 built
2009 Maserati Bellagio Fastback Shooting Brake

Footnotes

The tradition of independent coachbuilders creating shooting brakes or estate cars on luxurious sporting chassis goes back a long way. Examples of such conversions by Italian coachbuilders, however, are relatively rare. Which brings us to the stunning creation by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera offered here.

One of the most famous names in Italian coachbuilding, Carrozzeria Touring was founded in Milan in 1926 and enjoyed 40 years of outstanding success before its demise in the mid-1960s. Revived in 2006 under new ownership as Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera Srl, the company specialises in 'low-volume bespoke motorcars and one-off commissions, each one uniquely crafted to the customer's specification'. For the Bellagio, Touring chose Maserati's Quattroporte saloon as the basis.

Maserati had introduced this all-new version of its long-running Quattroporte model in 2004 and in doing so came up with an outstandingly luxurious conveyance that nevertheless was aimed squarely at the enthusiastic owner-driver. A luxury saloon with the soul of a sports car, the new Quattroporte featured initially DuoSelect six-speed sequential manual transmission complete with Formula 1-style paddle gearshift. Displacing 4.2 litres, the Quattroporte's quad-cam V8 revved to 7,200 and produced 394bhp, a remarkably high specific output for a normally aspirated engine, particularly that of a luxuriously appointed four-seater saloon. Unusually, Maserati chose not to limit the car's top speed, unlike the majority of its (mainly) German rivals; thus the Quattroporte was allowed to realise its full potential, achieving a maximum velocity of 275km/h with 100km/h attainable in 5.2 seconds.

By mounting the dry-sump engine aft of the front axle line, Maserati's engineers achieved a slight rearward weight bias, endowing the Quattroporte with sports car-like balance and communicative steering.

The first Maserati to be styled by Pininfarina for 50 years, the Quattroporte combined elegant Gran Turismo looks with a sumptuously equipped interior featuring Poltrona frau leather upholstery, six airbags, Blaupunkt information centre, satellite navigation and a BOSE sound system. The first Bellagio completed made its public debut at Villa Erba during the 2008 Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza.

Ordered new by Italian financier and former president of Ducati, Dr Carlo Bonomi, this Bellagio is one of only 4 such cars constructed, making it one of the most exclusive of modern Maseratis. Trimmed in light tan leather, the bespoke interior features fold-down rear seats with fore-and-aft adjustment; two 7" headrest monitors; dog barrier to the rear; a champagne refrigerator; and a concealed gun compartment capable of accommodating two pairs of shotguns.

This unique car also boasts taillights from the 2010 Quattroporte and eye-catching 19" Borrani Bimetal wheels, while the Forest Green metallic paintwork, with contrasting gold coachlines, is the perfect match for a vehicle intended for out-door pursuits. Whilst the first examples were delivered with the less-favoured DuoSelect transmission, the example offered here received the desirable and proper ZF automatic gearbox from new that later models of the Quattroporte-family would receive.

The car we offer was delivered new via Rosso Corsa in Milan at the end of 2008. It was purchased by the current owner in 2013 and subsequently moved to Switzerland, later to Germany, since when it has hardly been driven. Services were carried out by Rosso Corsa in 2011 at 28,850 kilometres; in Switzerland in 2013 at 34,271 kilometres; and in Switzerland in 2016 at 38,565 kilometres. The car comes with its original Maserati pouch including all books; 1 key, German Tuv document, its old Italian registration documents and Swiss registration documents with EU-taxes paid document.

While some enthusiasts will always chase the latest in high-performance hardware, no matter how impractical for everyday use, the more mature and discerning customer is increasingly looking to spend their money on something more practical but no less individual. The product of collaboration between two of the most famous names in Italian motoring history, the Bellagio is typical of this emerging trend. Its fortunate owner will doubtless be the envy of all those who set eyes on this truly exceptional car.