Alfieri Maserati is part of the famous Maserati Brothers. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Maserati’s were involved with automobiles and automotive parts. They would eventually revolutionize the Italian sports car through their collective efforts. The brothers, all seven of them, were born to Rodolfo and Carolina Maserati in Voghera, Lombardy, Italy.

Alfieri was named after his brother who died at the early age of one. Along with the oldest brother Carlo, as well as other brothers Bindo, Mario, Ettore and Ernesto, six of the Maserati boys lent their particular expertise to the now famous line of Italian luxury cars.

The younger Alfieri was born in 1903 and dreamed mostly of following his older brothers’ footsteps as an automotive enthusiast. While he was still a teenager, Alfieri began working with his older brother Bindo in Milan. The two worked for Isotta-Fraschini, a large Italian manufacturing company dealing with marine engines, luxury goods and luxury cars.

Carlo, the oldest of the Maserati brothers, recommended his younger brothers for the position. Carlo was more than a simple piece on the manufacturing lines, however. He was a recognized racecar driver in Italy. In 1905, Alfieri decided to follow Carlo to Bianchi to race alongside his brother. After Ettore came along and joined, Alfieri became an accomplished driver.

The brothers were big on the Italian racing circuit. Alfieri had carved out a name for himself by 1909. However, Bindo’s resume also improved at Isotta-Fraschini. He was now one of the top players of the company. After Bindo urged Alfieri and Ettore to return, they were sent to Argentina to help the company branch out.

Alfieri proved to be extremely skillful in the automotive genre. In 1914, he returned to Italy and founded the Societa Anonima Officine Alfieri Maserati workshop in Milan.  Alfieri and Ettore were at the helm of the workshop, producing what would eventually become the signature Maserati luxury sports car.

However, as the two brothers worked to expand their designs, the First World War began. WWI erupted in 1914, and like many Italians of the era, Alfieri and Ettore felt obligated to join their countrymen in the fight. While at war, Alfieri contracted his younger brother Ernesto to take control of the workshop.

Ernesto would eventually become the most famous of all the Maserati Brothers. Later in life, he would leave the Maserati business behind, selling it to Adolfo Orsi, and form the O.S.C.A. car company with brothers Bindo and Ettore.

While Alfieri was at war, Ernesto began playing a large role as an automotive parts manufacturer. He was responsible for producing large quantities of spark plugs. This helped the Maserati’s to expand their business. After Alfieri and Ettore returned home, the company expanded and a larger production plant was built in Bologna.

Alfieri returned to racing in the early 1920s and became one of the best drivers around. He won a slew of races early on, but also suffered a major crash that he would never recover from. In 1928, Alfieri Maserati died from liver-related complications stemming from his accident.