A historically significant 250F with documented works-team heritage, period racing success, and a celebrated continuation built from original Maserati factory-supplied components

Overview

The Maserati 250F is widely regarded as the purest expression of a classic Grand Prix car — beautifully proportioned, technically elegant, and highly successful. Introduced in 1954, it competed for an extraordinary seven seasons, driven by legends including Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss, Mike Hawthorn, Peter Collins, Roy Salvadori, and Jean Behra.

Chassis 2505 occupies a particularly important place in 250F history. Built in early 1954, it is agreed by leading historians to be the first 250F completed in its original guise, debuting at the Argentine Grand Prix with Fangio — who drove it to victory first time out.

Further wins followed at Spa (also by Fangio) and Pescara (with Luigi Musso). During its frontline career it was driven by Roberto Mieres, Harry Schell, André Simon and Joachim Bonnier.

Early Works History – Chassis 2505 (1954–1957)

1954 – Maserati Works Team

• Built early 1954 for the season opener in Buenos Aires
• Driven by Juan Manuel Fangio – Winner, Argentine GP (debut victory)
• Winner, Belgian GP (Fangio)
• Luigi Musso – Winner, Pescara GP
• Additional works drivers: Mieres, Schell

1955 – Sold to André Simon

• Victory at Albi GP
• Campaigned across Europe

1957 – Lent to Scuderia Centro-Sud

• Driven by Bonnier
• Subsequently returned to Maserati

After retirement, the original chassis, frame and body were stored at the Museo Biscaretti in Turin, later renumbered “2500” and fitted with substitute mechanical components for static display.

The Cameron Millar Reconstruction – CM4/2505

During the 1970s, ex-RAF engineer Cameron Millar, renowned Maserati specialist, sourced significant original factory 250F components — including the mechanical parts originally associated with 2505 — and undertook a series of exacting continuation builds (CM1–CM10).

CM4 / 2505 Construction

• Chassis, frame and body built by Paul Grist, commissioned by Count Hubertus Graf von Dönhoff
• Construction confirmed in writing by Cameron Millar (letter dated 22/04/2000 – included in history file)
• Millar supplied the mechanical parts for the build, believed to have originated from the original 2505
• Effectively built as a complete car using authentic factory-surplus 1950s components

Notable ownership

• Count Hubertus Graf von Dönhoff (late 1970s)
• Count Giovanni Lurani (1981/82)
• Count Luigi Castelbarco (1983)
• Jacques Iuri (1983–1989) – FIA papers issued 1988, accepted as original restored car
• Jean Francois Bentz (1999–2010)
• John Brown (2010–2012)
• Michael Oliver OBE (2012–2022)
• Simon Hope (2022–Present)

Event Participation & Provenance

Driven by Grand Prix Legends (Post-Period Appearances)

• Juan Manuel Fangio – Tangier GP Revival (1987) & Charade (1988)
• Maria Teresa de Filippis – Santa Monica Circuit (1985)

Magazine & Book Features

• Maserati Revista – Featured as the 250F Saga example
• Automobile Historique (2003)
• Classic & Racing (2004)
• Vogue photography special by Rancinan
• Documented in Orsini/Zagari Maserati Book (p.210) as one of the recognised original 250Fs (despite replica chassis)

Historic Racing (1999–2004 & 2020s)

• Campaigned at:
  • Brands Hatch
  • Silverstone
  • Pau
  • Spa
  • Dijon
  • Oulton Park
  • Imola
  • Sicily, Spain, Portugal and Germany (HGPCA events)

Prepared by Hall & Hall during the Bentz era; later by Maserati specialist Steve Hart, who confirms the car retains the original cylinder head from 2505 and numerous period-correct components.

Current Condition (2025)

Race-Ready Specification

• Fully prepared by Steve Hart Racing
• Set for Brands Hatch 2025 event (withdrawn due to driver health, not mechanical reason)
• The car has not raced since preparation
• Presented in outstanding mechanical and cosmetic condition
• Extensive invoices, race records, preparation notes and historical documentation included

The car has been exceptionally reliable, with minimal wear due to a relatively light competitive life.

Historical Authenticity & Classification

Although CM4 uses a continuation chassis, it is widely recognised in Maserati literature as one of the original 250F cars in mechanical identity, due to its extensive use of original factory components from chassis 2505.

Multiple authoritative sources (Jenkinson, Nye, Pritchard, McKinney, Orsini/Zagari) document 2505 as:

• The first true 250F completed
• A double GP-winning works car
• Raced by Fangio, Musso, Mieres, Schell, Simon and Bonnier

CM4/2505 is accepted with this lineage.

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