We’ve seen our share of multiple world champions in our time, but few can compare to the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio. The Argentinian racer known as “The Master” won five titles and 24 grands prix – including two in this car right here that’s now coming up for auction.



Building upon the legendary 250 F, this 1956 Maserati 300 S was the very sports racer that Fangio drove to victory in the Portuguese Grand Prix and Brazilian Grand Prix.

Its 3.0-liter inline-six was smaller than its rivals, but dual overhead cams and triple carbs gave it a punch above its weight. And its spaceframe chassis was cloaked in lightweight aluminum bodywork that was as beautiful as it was menacing, standing the test of time against the Ferrari 250 TR and Jaguar D-Type as one of the most curvaceous and victorious competition sports cars of its era.

“It is one of my favorite,” said the legendary Sir Stirling Moss of the 300 S, “one of the easiest, nicest, best-balanced sports-racing cars ever made.” Moss won in Buenos Aires and the Nürburgring in one of the same, but Fangio’s name arguably carries even greater clout, and ought to ensure this classic Maserati fetches a suitably high price when Bonhams sells it off at Pebble Beach next month. Just bask in its beauty in the contemporary images below from Bonhams/Litwinski, with archival images from the Walter Bäumer Collection.

Photo Gallery