Length: 01:00

From the PBS series Great Cars. In 1914 just after World War I, Alfieri Maserati took his patented automotive spark plug and started building racecars in the heart of Bologna. Using war surplus parts and machinery, he began what would become the proud trident trademark of Maserati and a tradition of thoroughbred Italian sports cars. Maserati road cars were also built with racing car genes that promised powerful performance. Today, Maserati is being revitalized by its new owner, Ferrari, who is helping its former rival regain its position as one of the great sports cars in the world