1984 Maserati Biturbo

September 19, 2018 Graham

As the Tipo 138 Maserati Coupe and Spyder take over as the de facto used Maseratis, it's time to refresh on the original used Maserati: the Biturbo. Born out of a newfound desire for profitability (where have we seen this before?), the Biturbo was the result of de Tomaso acquisition of the Maserati brand. Whereas Maserati had previously produced GTs and mid-engined sports cars, they sought to compete down-market with the likes of BMW and their 3-series. Selling to a market with higher volume, de Tomaso's Maserati hoped to scale up production to the point of financial success.

With a name like Biturbo, naturally the engine would be a major focus of the development effort, but were nine distinct engines over 13 years really necessary? Sure, there is a bit of context to the constant churn and development. Italian cars would need engines displacing under 2,000cc in order to avoid excess taxes, whereas foreign markets could engine the full 2,491cc offering. And, fuel-injection was more or less replacing carburetion during the Biturbo's time period, so it would stand to logic that Maserati would source a system midway through the production of the Biturbo. The mid-cycle bump up to 2,790cc is an ironclad method of increasing power and reducing lag on a turbocharged engine. But a complete head redesign for the introduction of a 24-valve variant? Well, even that might have made sense too, as it was likely intended to carry on further into models such as the successor to the Biturbo, the AM336 Ghbli.

Year: 1984
Model: Maserati Biturbo
Engine: 2.5L V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 56,514 mi
Price: Auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1984 Maserati Biturbo

You are bidding on a mechanically sorted Maserati Biturbo with an unmatched pedigree.

History: This was the personal car of the owner of Fremont Foreign Auto, an Italian car specialist in Fremont, CA. He swapped the drivetrain along with the rear end, wheels, and some interior components from the donor vehicle, which I was told had covered less than 20k miles.

Reliability: Fuel-injected 2.5L twin turbo V6 and five-speed manual transmission from a 1987 Maserati Zagato Spyder (same platform, so everything bolts right in). Fuel injection cures many of the reliability problems that colored early Biturbos' reputations.
- California BAR certified
- New fuel pump and alternator were installed in November 2017.
- No other needs or issues. I would drive it across country tomorrow.

Character: The throbbing exhaust note and 3,000rpm turbo rush give the car a far richer personality than contemporary BMW, Mercedes, or Alfa alternatives. The chrome tubing and wrinkle-coated valve covers under the hood is more in-line with Ferrari than even Alfa.

Body:
- Paint is excellent and body is straight
- Surface corrosion around the edges of the hood vents is the only rust

Interior:
- Aftermarket CD/Bluetooth stereo with phone/microphone interface
- Period correct Momo steering wheel with Maserati crest
- Odometer inoperable but 56,514 indicated
- A/C condenser kicks on, no visible leaks, but air is slightly cooler than ambient at best

Reason for Sale:
- I acquired the car from a dealer in Idaho this spring. You can see dozens of pictures on his site: http://www.modernclassicautos.com/1984-maserati-biturbo/
- His walk-around video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgKheP3ORe0&t=106s
- You can see the car, with other Maserati, Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo, on the Freemont Auto site: https://www.fremontforeignauto.com/

I have moved and lost a garage space, so I would prefer to sell it rather than park it outside.

We can't in good faith suggest that you'll notice the 10hp bump provided by the fuel-injected engine that the previous owner swapped in. From what it sounds like, this swap to fuel-injection carries the sole benefit of reliable operation - the seller goes so far as to state that the carb'd cars tainted the reputation of the Biturbo. Having met a very happy Biturbo owner at an Italian car event, we can get on board with this thinking. No, an engine swap is probably not in the best interest of the car's value, but a useable, reliable Biturbo is worth something to many.

Taking the seller's word to be good, good on him for selling the car rather than letting it sit. A rust-free Biturbo like this deserves some protection from moisture and the sun's rays. The interior, by the way, is preserved in remarkable condition for one of these cars. Take a look at the photos in detail, and you might notice the shift pattern. That's right - it's a dogleg manual transmission with 1st off the H. Spend some time diagnosing the weak A/C and get this thing out on the road to enjoy the snarly 90 degree V6. We heard that those are cool again - ask Alfa.

-Graham

Lancia

1977 Lancia Beta Scorpion

September 18, 2018 Graham

Yesterday's Bertone X-1/9 represented Bertone's successful bid for a Fiat 124 Coupe successor, but what if Pininfarina had won the business? Well, we'd have seen a Fiat Montecarlo or Fiat Scorpion in place of the X-1/9.

Following Lancia's takeover by Fiat, the automaker sought profitability in its Beta lineup, the last of which was the mid-engined Monte Carlo. A tough sell to fans of early Lancias, it featured a DOHC Fiat 4-cylinder, known as the Lampredi after its designer, rather than a bespoke Lancia unit. After establishing itself as a true innovator in engine design, producing the worlds' first V6 engine, Lancia had stooped to purchasing its engines from the outside? One could do much worse than a DOHC Fiat engine! But, Lancia fans love Lancia engines.

Year: 1977
Model: Lancia Beta Scorpion
Engine: 1.5L 4-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 61,900 mi
Price: $14,500

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1977 Lancia Beta Scorpion

Selling my beautiful 1977 Lancia Scorpion with 61,900 original miles and clear box A title.

This is a rare rust free scorpion with the rear glass buttress windows(one of 430 imported).

She starts right up with no smoke and runs and drives very well. Straight body with shiny deep black paint. Re done interior with supple leather seats and console. excellent carpet and all interior plastic refinished in factory color. Good glass , working clock and added heat/sound insulation. Fabric top in very good original condition.refinished wheels with new tires. Newer battery, new oem carb, s.s flowmaster muffler and vitaloni side view mirror. Detailed engine bay with custom insulated heat shield. De smogged and a/c removed by previous owner. included with sale are original charcoal canister, original mirror and 4 new drilled brake rotors as well as 2 factory reprint service manuals, period promotional materials, fuse location manual,original jack and lug wrench, ignition key blank and numerous receipts including engine refurb etc. Quality custom California car cover included.

This Scorpion is a wonderful true sports car with a well sorted DOHC 4 cylinder mid engine(original) and 5 speed transmission. This is a 41 year old low mileage car and as I am not a dealer or car flipper there is no warranty. In the interest of full disclosure, here are the known issues: Brakes are ok but not great-system was flushed about 21/2 years ago.Tach is sometimes erratic, mechanic suspects a ground issue but I don't have the time now to pull the instrument cluster to clean the contacts. Note all visible grounds have been cleaned or replaced within the last year. Does not effect drivability. Passenger side power window slow going up but working just slow. Aftermarket stereo/cd doesn't appear to be hooked up. Car has a great exhaust note so never a priority. Drivers side lumbar control wand is seized-common issue- new updated part can sometimes be sourced from England as well as working original part. Not really a problem.

I am a collector/enthusiast and don't need to sell her but I don't have much free time lately to drive her or my other classics. I want My car to go to another enthusiast who appreciates this seldom seen Italian Beauty. Tons of positive attention at car shows!

Serious buyers only. No low ballers or tire kickers. Please don't waste my time or yours. Happy to answer any questions. A non refundable $500 deposit with balance due by bank wire transfer within 7 days. After money clears I will express you the title and bill of sale. Shipping is buyers responsibility and I can assist you. . VIN # 137AS0101547. Please note, not all scorpions have power window option, mine does. Thanks for looking!

Today's example exhibits remarkable condition at a reasonable mileage. Clearly the car was enjoyed, and even more evident is the fact that it was cared for properly. The location lends itself to the reportedly rust-free condition as much as it does to the re-trimmed interior - that Arizona sun will bake interiors mercilessly, given the opportunity. The traditional list of faults provides enough work to get to know the car, but not nearly enough to detract from its value.

The ad doesn't state as much, but we'd go so far as to state that one could not rehab a typical Scorpion to this condition for this price. Low mileage, presentable paint on a straight, rust-free body, an intact top, and clean, cared-for mechanical bits - were there ever a Scorpion to buy, this is the one.

Bertone, Fiat

1987 Bertone X-1/9 Corsa

September 17, 2018 Graham 1 Comment

In a humorous contrast from last week's Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale, we bring you today another mid-engine sports car, but in Corsa guise. This Bertone X-1/9 appears to be little more than a dealership option package consisting of some upgraded bodywork, but its side skirts clearly announce its racing intentions.

All joking aside, the CORSA graphics have a great 80's typeface and aesthetic, and the bodywork itself is interesting enough without venturing into the region of tastelessness. Magnesium wheels shown here also pull their own weight in the styling department. Add in the rarity factor, and this is an appealing prospect.

Year: 1987
Model: Bertone
Engine: 1.5L 4-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 63,000 mi
Price: $5,450

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1987 Bertone X-1/9 Corsa

NOTE: eBay does not have a category for the BERTONE make of car. I had to use the old FIAT designation even though Fiat left the U.S. in 1982 and Bertone took over manufacture and production of the X-1/9 model after that. The car is a BERTONE X-1/9 not a FIAT. It is titled as a BERTONE X-1/9 and no FIAT markings are on the car. Also note that this is the CORSA model which was a dealer option and pretty rare at that. Car is currently registered, insured and on the road but garage kept.

1987 Bertone X-1/9 Corsa

Nice car with the following recently done.

 New exhaust manifold gasket

 Complete tear down and cleaning of fuel injection system including all new O rings.

 Front and rear fiberglass Corsa clips repaired and primed.

 New battery

 Newly rebuilt alternator

 Cleaned up and primed minor rust spots. Car was Ziebarted from new so there is very little rust and nothing that has not yet been addressed.

 New brake pads

 New brake fluid reservoir.

 New wheel studs

 Power window track and regulators cleaned and re-greased.

 New oxygen sensor

 Includes hard top that fits great

 Comes with copies of large workshop manual, service manual, electrical diagnostic manual, wiring diagrams manual and several receipts, several used parts.

Other notable items...

 Car starts first time every time

 63,000 miles

 Sorted out headlight opening and closing issues

 Ignition key switch on column energizes the ignition but you start it using a hidden button under the dash.

 Has anti theft kill switch in glove box

 Loads of time and money invested to make her road worthy

Minor issues that need addressing

 There are some dings that could use a pro's touch

 Interior could use a refreshing and passenger seat has a tear in the seam

 Carpet worn

 Need to get fog lights for front clip but directionals work fine

 Hi Beams not currently working

 Speedo sticks all other gauges work fine

 Oxygen sensor light remains on even though the sensor is brand new. The switch has to be reset by opening up the console on the shifter.

 A/C model but A/C not hooked up

 Missing driver side sun visor

 Steering wheel could use a new cover

I have more photos so ask and you shall receive. Check out photos closely, what you see is what you get.

The owner notes that some degree of restoration has taken place, though that work will need to continued into the vehicle's next ownership phase. Overall, the needs listed do not seem too daunting, and as many of our readers are aware, it's not exceedingly difficult to find online technical assistance and parts for these X-1/9s.

Provided that the rust repair work checks out, this could be the basis of a very clean and rare X-1/9. And, if the tidy engine bay is any indication, we would imagine that the bodywork was done with a similar level of care. For some, the street-bound Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale just doesn't do it. In their case, hopefully this Bertone X-1/9 Corsa can make the heart race.

-Graham

Automobile Tricolore Inventory

Ferrari

2004 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale

September 15, 2018 Graham

I can thank my mother for my exposure to the Ferrari 360 Modena Challenge series. She bought my dad, my brother, and me tickets to the 2002 Canadian Grand Prix. At some point during the weekend, I remember watching a Modena Challenge car get a bit waspy on the rain-soaked Casino Straight as we stood along the fence. I had never seen something resembling a street car move at such a startling clip, and was no less enamored with the Challenge cars than I was with the Formula One cars.

The 360 Challenge Stradale road car isn't quite a road-going version of the Challenge series car, but Car & Driver did still find the car to be an extremely loud and stiff car for street use. A 11.2:1 vs 11.0:1 compression ratio, along with a host of very involved engineering modifications typically glossed over in the auto magazines, net a power output of 425hp at 8,500 RPM. The power increase over the standard Modena, along with a 149lb reduction in vehicle weight, resulted in a 0.6 second reduction in 0-60 time for the Challenge Stradale.

Year: 2004
Model: Ferrari
Engine: 3.6L V8
Transmission: 6-speed automated manual
Mileage: 2,140 mi
Price: $309,000

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2004 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale

S/N ZFFDU57A540134981
- Only 2.140 miles,
- Rosso Corsa with nero leather,
- 3.6 litre V8 normally aspirated engine,
- 1 of 360 for North America Market.

This factory lightweight 360 Challenge Stradale was built with carbon/ceramic brakes, handling package, decontented interior, factory racing seats, leather upholstery, racing stripe, radio delete, red brake calipers, all owner’s manuals, spare keys, tools and jack.
Delivered new October 27, 2003 via Ferrari of Scottsdale.
2 Major service complete, 2015 and 2017 all documented.

We won't venture to comment on the price other than to mention that the modest mileage on this car stands out as a major factor. We have seen these change hands for substantially less when miles are in 10,000-20,000 mile range.

An anomaly with this car is its collectability in spite of its F1 gearbox. Ferraris of this era generally benefit from the uncommon optioning of a traditional manual transmission, and while rare Ferraris are always more collectible than the models with larger production runs, this car certainly challenges the trend of manual Ferraris demanding more money. Were it our money, we'd find the cheapest Challenge with decent mechanicals and thrash it on the track, though we suspect that a gentler future awaits this example. That's cool; we wanted a yellow one anyway.

-Graham

Alfa Romeo

1993 Alfa Romeo 164L

September 14, 2018 Graham

Talk about a rare occurrence: the opportunity to buy a 164 from the notable AlfaBB member and AROC 164 tech expert, Alfisto Steve! Those of us who have been fortunate enough to own a 164 can probably recall Alfisto Steve fielding one of their 164 questions at some point on the AlfaBB. And, we on the AlfaBB appreciate his succinct 164 updates in the What did you do Alfa related? thread.

Based on the information provide in the listing, it appears that Alfisto Steve has been familiar with the car for quite some time now - first when it was owned by a friend in Florida, and since 2004 when a friend in VA brought it up to Alfisto Steve's area. Alfisto Steve even went through the car back in 2004, after it made the trip from FL to VA. Check out the AlfaBB thread for BB4, as the car is known, here: BB4 on AlfaBB

Year: 1993
Model: Alfa Romeo
Engine: 3.0L V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 229,00 mi
Price: $2,800

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1993 Alfa Romeo 164

1993 Alfa Romeo 164L w/5-speed

My rehabbed 1993 164L is currently insured, tagged and with VA state inspection valid until May

2019. I have owned this 164 since March 2016 but I have known of this car and the three previous owners since 1996. I have many of PO’s service records. My old JAX, FL friend David bought it out of a lease sale in 1996, He had transmission replaced during his ownership. He sold to Joel in Orlando and my friend Michael who gave me the car in 2016 bought it in 2004 from Joel. It ended up in my garage in Feb 2004 for the first freshening up after he drove it up from FL to VA. So Michael and family had it 12 years.

I went through the complete car in 2016-2017 and put it back on the road in May 2017. I have a 5 page story board on my Alfisto Steve BB4 rehab process in the 164 section of the alfabb website. The car is now known as my BLACK BEAUTY IV (BB4).

Once I replaced a bad Bosch motronic engine ECU (computer), it returned to life and has been moving forward towards its current daily driver status in my stable along with my other black beauties - 91 BB1 164L automatic and 91 BB2 my 164S.

The complete interior sans re-dyed carpet has been replaced including all window regulators and necessary switches. It now has a later 1995 164 steering wheel an air bag.

The car was repainted all black in 2017. While not a concours paint job, it shows well. Hood was replaced before paint job.

The car has 5 newly painted 164S wheels with 205-65-15 tires.

The engine got new timing belt and tensioner in 2017 along with refaced flywheel and new clutch.

The fuel system has had cleaned and tested fuel injectors installed , fuel tank pump, hoses, check valve and filters replaced.

The A/C system has had condenser, compressor, evaporator, expansion valve and receiver dryer replaced and has been converted to R134a. It blows reasonably cold for a 164 model considering how the black paint soaks up the sun. I keep it in the garage which helps when starting off driving on a hot summer day.

The radiator, cooling fan, heater core, blower motor and cabin air filter have been replaced. It has PEX shut off valve to further isolate heater core heat from a/c in summertime to aid the a/c cooling.

The brake rotors, brake pads and some of the brake lines have been replaced as needed.

The front springs, struts, lower bearings, bump stops and boots have been replaced.

It has low mileage cat convertor new O2 sensor, new 164L mid muffler and Cisam 164S rear muffler.

It has the Euro Facelift Bosch H1 projector headlight upgrade which makes a whale of a difference for night time driving.

The odometer in the speedometer cluster failed shortly after I got car running and it has been replaced with a lower mileage unit with working trip odometer. Chassis mileage approximately 229K odometer currently 126377.

The sun roof still needs some work to be fully operational. It opens up and down fine but does not retract well. I never use it as I like to use air conditioning too much.

I am downsizing my Alfa collection as I am moving to Florida, so only keeping my 164S in FL (new house rules). My daughter is getting back my 164L w/AT to drive here in VA, henceforth the reason for the sale of this spare 93L.

Alfisto Steve sometimes gently points out the fact that he is a retired Navy aircraft mechanic. His experience repairing complex machinery is abundantly clear in the way that he maintains his Italian landcraft. Since taking possession of this black 164, he has managed to address issues with all of the major systems. Notably, he's completed the following:

Installed Bosch projector headlights
A/c system converted, replaced condenser, compressor, evaporator, expansion valve and receiver dryer
Replaced radiator and cooling fan
Replaced timing belt and tensioner
Replaced clutch and refaced flywheel
Replaced front struts
Replaced cat, center and rear mufflers
Replaced brake master cylinder and some brake lines
Replaced fuel pump and rubber parts inside tank, fuel injectors and fuel hoses.
Repaired window system wiring, three window regulators and broken door handle
replaced headliner, seats and dyed carpet
Installed 5 nearly new matching tires on freshly painted 164S wheels
Repainted exterior all black

While this is not the freshest 164 in terms of mileage, nor is it necessarily the most original, with its painted black lower trim and S style wheels, we have no qualms in recommending this example to anyone looking to buy their first, or second, or possibly tenth Alfa. Condition, mechanical and cosmetic, is far above what most examples present at this price. And, the Bosch projector headlamps, 164 S wheels, and the twin tip S style rear muffler are welcome modifications. Take a look at his custom plate, and then ask yourself, "ALFA 4ME"?

-Graham

Classic Italian Cars For Sale

Monthly Archives: September 2018

1984 Maserati Biturbo

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1984 Maserati Biturbo

1977 Lancia Beta Scorpion

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1977 Lancia Beta Scorpion

1987 Bertone X-1/9 Corsa

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1987 Bertone X-1/9 Corsa

Sponsored Seller: Automobile Tricolore

Automobile Tricolore Inventory

2004 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2004 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale

1993 Alfa Romeo 164L

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1993 Alfa Romeo 164