Maserati is among the most legendary names in Europe, yet for most Americans, its name elicits vague notions of its heritage or, more commonly, blank stares — and with good reason. Much of its history in recent decades reflects bad decisions made under a myriad of owners. Alejandro de Tomaso, and his Italian car manufacturing company, De Tomaso Automobili, rescued Maserati from planned liquidation under Citroën management in 1975. He became its CEO and would run the company until his death 1993. But while he saved the company from bankruptcy, it was never far from it, as is evidenced by cars t…
