Unique part of a Maserati 250F “Shark Nose” now for sale on Highest Bid platform

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An extraordinary piece of motorsport history has surfaced this week on the Highest Bid platform: the original “Shark Nose” from a Maserati 250F — and not just any 250F, but one of the rare 12-cylinder models.

The nose is for a 12-cylinder Maserati 250F, of which only three were built as prototypes, and although it is not pre-war, it is a a truly unique collector’s item that we want to highlight.

The Maserati 250F with chassis number 2526 represents a unique chapter in racing heritage. Built specifically for the 1956 Italian Grand Prix alongside chassis 2525, this car was designed to qualify for prize money reserved for “new Italian designs.” To meet these requirements, Maserati engineered a special configuration that involved offsetting the engine slightly to the left. This allowed the driver to sit lower beside the driveshaft, resulting in a more compact and aerodynamic design than its predecessors.

Following the race at Monza, chassis 2526 was never used in competition again. It remained untouched at the Maserati factory for years, until it was refurbished in 1958 and sold to Antonio Crues. Renumbered as chassis 2530, Crues drove the car in just one race before it was permanently retired from racing. Eventually, the chassis found its way to the famous Schlumpf brothers in France and has since been part of their prestigious museum collection. This makes it arguably the least raced 250F chassis in existence.

So how did the iconic “Shark Nose” become available for sale?
During the car’s idle years at the factory, mechanics — perhaps out of curiosity or in anticipation of a future rebuild — began working on it. Several components, including the distinctive nose and accompanied bonnet, were removed and stored, possibly in preparation for converting the car to a 6-cylinder setup, which was a common practice at the time. When the car was eventually sold, these parts were passed on to none other than 250F expert Cameron Millar, who acquired them in the 1980s from Scuderia Centro Sud — the team that originally raced the car.

The current owner later acquired a selection of these rare components, preserving them as both historical artifacts and potential elements for a future restoration project.

Now, the original nose and bonnet from this legendary Maserati 250F is up for grabs — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for collectors, enthusiasts, and historians alike.

The bidding period remains open until May 8, 2025, 14:37 (GMT+2), with the current top bid at just € 671.

Click here to view the listing and place your bid.

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