During the 1950s, Maserati was synonymous with motor racing—legends such as Stirling Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio scoring regular international victories for the Italian marque.

Almost secondary to this, the company was responsible for some of the most desirable road cars of the era.

Fast, sophisticated, and achingly glamorous, Maseratis were assembled in tiny numbers and prized by the glitterati.

As time went by, the firm abandoned motorsport to focus solely on these production models but, at the beginning of the 21st century, it returned to its roots.

And what a comeback it would make.

Unveiled at the 74th Geneva International Motor Show in 2004, the Tipo M144 or MC12 (for Maserati Corse, 12-cylinder) was the most extreme model yet to leave the Modena factory.

Much of the new car’s DNA came from former rival Ferrari’s Enzo hypercar, although substantial improvements were made to the engine, chassis and aerodynamics.

Powered by a 5,998 cc, 65-degree, 48-valve, dry-sump V-12, the...