Stirling Moss in Modena: the 1961 Grand Prix and the Maserati Eldorado

Modena is one of the most important cities in the world for motorsport. Ferrari and Maserati were both founded here, the Motor Valley stretches across the surrounding region, and the city hosted its own Grand Prix. For anyone tracing the history of Formula 1, Modena is an essential stop — and Stirling Moss, who died in April 2020, is one of the figures most closely associated with this city’s racing heritage.

If you are planning a wider trip to the area, the Modena travel guide covers transport, accommodation, and local experiences. For a full overview of what the city offers beyond motorsport, see our guide to things to do in Modena. Many visitors also combine the Motor Valley with the region’s gastronomy — a balsamic vinegar tour is one of the most distinctive experiences in the city.

Who was Stirling Moss?

Stirling Moss was a British Formula 1 driver whose career peaked in the 1950s and early 1960s. He made his Grand Prix debut at the 1951 Swiss Grand Prix, and his results quickly caught the attention of Enzo Ferrari, who offered him a drive at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Bari. When Moss arrived, he discovered his car had been allocated to another driver. He refused to drive for Ferrari from that point on — a decision he kept for the rest of his career.

He drove instead for Maserati, Mercedes, Lotus, and Cooper, winning 16 Formula 1 World Championship races. Despite being widely regarded as the best driver of his era, he never won the World Championship — finishing second four times and third three times. He retired from racing in 1962 following a serious accident at Goodwood, then remained a prominent figure in the sport as a commentator and ambassador until his death in April 2020.

The 1961 Modena Grand Prix

The 1961 Modena Grand Prix was one of Stirling Moss’s most complete performances. Driving a Lotus, he took pole position, set the fastest lap, and won the race — finishing ahead of Jo Bonnier in a Porsche. The race ran over 100 laps of the Modena circuit. It came during a period when Moss was at the peak of his abilities, and his connection to Modena — through both Maserati and race wins in the city — made him a well-known figure here long after his retirement.

The Maserati Eldorado at the Panini Collection

The most tangible Stirling Moss connection you can visit in Modena is the Maserati Eldorado at the Panini Collection, housed at the Hombre farm on the outskirts of the city. The Eldorado is one of the most historically significant cars in the collection — and one of the more unusual stories in motorsport history.

In 1958, Gino Zanetti — the entrepreneur behind the Eldorado ice cream brand — commissioned Maserati to build a single-seater racing car and sponsor it with his brand. This was the first example of commercial sponsorship of a single-seater racing car in Europe, predating the era of logos on Formula 1 cars by a decade. Zanetti chose Stirling Moss to drive because of his reputation and his existing relationship with Maserati. The car ran at Monza in the 500 Miles race, painted white with the Eldorado cowboy logo on the nose.

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The race did not go to plan. Moss hit the guard rail on the final lap and finished seventh. Neither driver nor car suffered serious damage — itself considered a testament to the Maserati chassis. The car was subsequently modified but the Eldorado livery remained. Today, a full restoration in its original white livery is on permanent display at the Panini Collection. The museum is open by appointment and entry is free — contact the Hombre farm directly to arrange a visit.

The Maserati factory tour

For those wanting to see where Maserati cars are made, the company offers factory tours from its Modena headquarters. Tours cover the production plant, the powertrain department, and the renovated showrooms, giving a view of both the current model range and the company’s history. Tours last approximately one hour; a shorter 40-minute heritage option is also available. Tours are conducted in Italian, English, German, French, and Spanish.

Booking is mandatory and must be arranged in advance through Maserati’s official website. Tours run Monday to Friday. Note that children under 18 are not permitted inside the production plant for safety reasons. Check current availability directly with Maserati, as schedules can change.